The cost of living is pulling all of our purse strings tighter — but we’re not letting it touch our heartstrings. As we all stop going out and settle for nights in on the sofa, it can start to take a toll on the sweeter parts of life. Dating, romance, acts of undying devotion — who’s got the money for any of that? But in the immortal words of Jennifer Lopez, love don’t cost a thing. Or at least, it doesn’t have to.
The truth is, there are plenty of ways to set the sparks flying without spending a fortune. If you’re looking for some frugal ways to put the romance back into date night, you’re in the right place. Here’s what we recommend.
1. Cook a hearty meal together
See what we did there? Now, cooking together can go one of two ways — on any standard evening, it might test your patience to be chopping onions while the object of your worldly affections plays backseat chef. However, if you put a little effort into the meal and the mood, you can make a romantic experience out of any old midweek meal, and do so inexpensively.
First, the food — naturally, for the romance, you’re doing an Italian date night. But a sad-looking spag bol isn’t going to relight the flame of devotion. Instead, consider a recipe box kit to take the guesswork out of prepping a delicious meal. This way, you divert your remaining attention to the love of your life. Pasta Evangelists, for instance, offer a recipe box delivered nationwide “that includes fresh pasta, a sauce created from the finest ingredients, and a garnish’. All of which can be prepared at home in as little as 5 minutes.
Restaurant-quality food for a supermarket-shop price tag? Don’t mind if we do. And once your pasta’s on the boil, you can go all out with the ambience. We’re talking twinkling candles, we’re talking Andrea Bocelli on the speakers, we’re talking love, sweet love.
2. Get stuck into some pottery
Once you’ve eaten, it’s time to sweep that dining table clear. You’ve got some pottery to do. And we know what you’re thinking, you’ve got all that washing up, you don’t want to create any more! But what if we told you that much like letterbox recipe kits, you can be sent everything you need for a night of clay-making in one handy package?
You’ve probably seen the trend of ceramics spreading through TikTok and celebrity circles, but it’s about to come knocking on your door, too. At-home pottery kits are all the rage, unlocking creative potential and bringing couples back together to focus on something that isn’t a screen.
There’s no pottery wheel involved with an at home kit, so you won’t necessarily be getting your inner Swayze on — but thankfully, that makes the process a whole lot simpler. Air-dry clay kits, like this one from Pott’d, come with everything you need to start moulding together. Soon, you’ll be laughing, painting, and spending quality time with your lover once more. It’s kintsugi for the heart.
3. Volunteer as a pair
Lastly, this one goes out to the wild at heart. If you need to escape the four walls of your home to remember how to love, then there are still ways to do it cheaply. Enter volunteering.
Homeless shelters, wildlife sanctuaries and beach cleans are always calling out for an extra pair of hands, and while they aren’t the most glamorous of ventures, they might just help you to see your other half in a new light.
If you don’t know where to start, Get Volunteering may help. Simply enter your postcode on the platform and be matched to nearby schemes that will get you up and out of the door — being proactive, caring, and most importantly, together. Happy dating.
