Military couples spend a lot of time apart. So one of the things we treasure is a good old-fashioned date night. But couples often claim they don’t indulge in date nights as much as they’d like to because one night of fun isn’t worth a month of figuring out how to pay off the credit card bill.
Fortunately, date nights don’t have to be super expensive. Here are 7 date night deals for military couples:
1. Get a babysitter.
We love our kids, but date night just isn’t the same if they’re tagging along. What's the best way to find a free babysitter? Swap sitting services with friends. One night you host all the kids to give your friends some time alone, another night it’s your turn to hit the town. The kids end up with a play date, and you don’t have to pay a dime for child care.
2. Take a class.
Are you a do-it-yourselfer? Home Depot offers free workshops on everything from installing a toilet to lawn maintenance. (And while you’re there, use your 10% military discount to pick up the necessary items to practice what you learned.)
Want to get creative? Michaels offers classes as well, and you can use their military discount to stock up on supplies.
Are you into gadgets? Apple stores offer free workshops to teach you how to use those new devices you bought through their military discount program.
3. Hang out on base.
Your local military installation provides lots of free or discounted activities that are perfect for an inexpensive date night. What exactly can you and your honey do on base? (Programs vary by location so check with your local installation to find out what’s available.)
Spend time with your spouse by staying fit. Find out the class schedule at your installation’s free fitness center. In addition to cardiovascular and weight-lifting equipment, most fitness centers on base have free group classes like spinning and zumba.
We all love the "dinner and a movie" date, so after dinner, head over to the base movie theater that offers reduced prices on movies. You can find movie schedules and other special events on your installation's website.
Bowling is another fun date night. Bowl for two, double date with friends, or sign up for a tournament. Some locations also have arcades and snack bar facilities as well as coaches for instruction.
Can’t find a night to get away, but you’re both free on a Sunday afternoon? Have a golf date. Golf courses on base offer open course play, tournaments, driving ranges, pro shops, cart rentals, snack bars and instructors for classes and private lessons.
Want to plan a vacation or find out about local events like concerts and athletic games (for future date nights)? Head over to the Information, Ticket and Tours or ITT office. (Depending on the service, it may be called the Leisure Travel Office or Information, Ticket and Recreation.) They also provide discounted tickets to parks, museums and vacation hot spots like Disney World.
Shopping. That may not be the most exciting and romantic date night, but sometimes shopping without the kids is a treat worthy of the effort to book a babysitter. Go to the commissary (without using one of those rocket-inspired kid carts) and find some deals at the NEX/AAFES/MCX.
4. See a play.
Through the Blue Star Theatres program, military personnel and their families (and veterans) can get discounted or complimentary admission to over 170 theatres, including Arena Stage in Washington, DC, San Diego Repertory Theatre in San Diego, California and Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk, VA.
5. Plan dinner and a movie.
You can't go wrong with the classic dinner and a movie date night. Make sure to ask for military discounts at the restaurant you choose. Some restaurants, like Bonefish, Carrabba’s and Melting Pot, offer discounts for military members, and you might discover your favorite local joint honors military families as well.
Then go see that new romantic comedy that just hit theaters. If it's not playing on base, remember many movie theaters offer military discounts, including Cinemark, and Regal theaters.
6. Relax.
Massages are a great way for busy military couples to forget about deployments and PCS moves and simply relax. Take advantage of Massage Envy’s military discount program, and book an appointment for a couples massage.
7. In-house date.
Can’t get a sitter? No good movies playing? Too tired to go out? No problem. Create the cheapest date of all: stay home. But don’t put the kids to bed and turn on the tv like you always do. Mix it up. (Although if catching up on the shows you keep hearing about on Netflix is something you never have time for and sounds like the perfect date night to you, go for it.)
Play board games. Do a puzzle. Have a photo shoot. Look through your wedding pictures. Make a scrapbook. Buy a few bottles of wine and a variety of cheeses beforehand and create your own wine-tasting. Take an online cooking class.
Date night doesn’t necessarily mean leaving your house. It means spending time together. So get creative and come up with a list of ideas for dates you can enjoy at home.
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