by J.D.G.

Created on: October 01, 2009

The words "date night" have the ability to strike fear in the hearts of frugal-minded lovebirds. Maybe you are a budget-conscious romantic like myself, or maybe you are simply low on cash and want to show your sweetie a great time. Whatever your situation, fear not! I have a list of 17 fantastic, fun dating ideas that each cost $20 or less. The dollar amounts you see are based on my own dating experiences over the past year.

1. Get into the spirit of the season (Free-$18)
Seasonal dating activities that celebrate the beauty of the natural environment are a fun, romantic way to spend a day together. Hay rides and corn mazes in the autumn, sleigh rides in the winter, farmer's markets in the summer, and flower festivals in the spring. This seasonal fun costs anywhere from $0 up to about $12 for sleigh ride tickets; inexpensive fun that leaves you enough money for a snack afterward!

If you are a Halloween fan like me then you will not be disappointed visiting a haunted house. They are great fun, and give you yet another reason to hold your love close. Tickets in my local region are about $7 each, leaving you an extra $6 to grab some coffee after the excitement.

If you celebrate Christmas, take a stroll around a well-decorated town and admire the twinkling lights and crazy displays. My town hosts a "Holiday Open House" every year. The light a tree in the town square, play music, and every store and restaurant offers food and drink samples. Total cost $0 for a lot of festive fun!

2. Head to a local coffee house ($3-$15)
I love coffee, so this date idea is my idea of heaven on earth! A coffee house is a lot of fun for a date because it is so versatile ad relaxed. Yes, you can simply sit in overstuffed chairs, sip cappuccinos, and finally have a chance to talk and reconnect. You can also take a game or two with you and play right at the table; card games, trivia, board games - use your imagination and take something that you are both going to love.

Are you more of the literary type? Take a book to read together (romantic poetry, sci-fi...whatever you are both into), or get a notebook and take turns writing out things you love most about one another.

Maybe you two are music buffs? You are in luck! Many coffee houses host amateur nights where live bands will play for customers. At one of my local coffee places the music groups are often 1940s jazz ensembles, giving the date a vintage, romantic flair that can't be beat.

3. Pack a picnic (Free (if you already have the food)-$20)

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