Date Night

on December 22, 2011

Weâ€™re trying to make an effort to seek out cheap and unusual date ideas. Tonight, we headed to University of North Carolina Charlotte for a Miami basketball game. And it was a really, really good time.

Plus – tickets were only $10 each! Woo to the hoo for the family section (we always sit in the family section at games when we can – people are a lot nicer).

We each got French friesâ€¦

And watched as we appeared on the big screen!

I was surprised they put our texted-in picture up, considering the Husband was decked out in the opposing (and winning) teamâ€™s colors. Very friendly of you, UNC!

What are your unusual date night ideas?

{ 35 comments }

Katie @ Peace Love and Oats December 22, 2011, 10:32 pm
That is such a good date night idea! It’s great if you live near a college because things like games and plays or other performances can be very inexpensive!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com December 22, 2011, 10:38 pm
Ha! Loved that on-screen photo 🙂
Army Amy* December 22, 2011, 10:46 pm
Fun! There’s a local minor league hickey team in my town. It’s a great cheap date!*
Luv What You Do December 22, 2011, 10:52 pm
OMG! I always wanted to be on the Kiss Cam!!!
Jen December 22, 2011, 11:05 pm
My boyfriend and I do a lot of unusual dates. We like to check out the local arts newspaper and go to different events like community theater, museum exhibits, and seasonal festivals. One of the best this year was the pierogi festival (polka band and all, plus it was free)!
- Amber @ Bold, Busy, Blessed December 23, 2011, 12:50 am
  Oooh, where is this pierogi festival you speak of???
  - Jen December 23, 2011, 7:58 am
    It’s in Buffalo, NY at Corpus Christi Church (the church so Polish it has a bowling alley)
    - CaitlinHTP December 23, 2011, 10:45 am
      I want to go to a pierogi festival!!!!!!!!!!
      - Eliza December 23, 2011, 6:45 pm
        Is pierogi easy to find in the US? I am in Aus and there is nowhere to buy pierogi. My grandma was Polish but she isn’t around so we get excited when we meet someone Polish who can make pierogi.. yummmmm
Reenie December 22, 2011, 11:41 pm
Cute 🙂
Tamicka December 22, 2011, 11:59 pm
I live in Albany NY, and I live right downtown so I go And visit the museum up the street from me as a fun date night every few months when they change the exhibits. W also keep a look out for festivals going on in the area. I love it when we go on fun (relatively cheap!) outings.
Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon December 23, 2011, 12:28 am
I can’t help but think of the IKEA scene from 500 Days of Summer when I think of unusual dates…
Khushboo December 23, 2011, 12:32 am
Woo getting your picture on the screen is definitely something to tick off your list 🙂
Angela December 23, 2011, 5:30 am
We are competitive so we have an ongoing contest to see who can find the cheapest (and most fun) date. I am winning so far with comped NASCAR pit passes.
- CaitlinHTP December 23, 2011, 10:42 am
  That is fun 🙂
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) December 23, 2011, 6:59 am
We try to do fun and unusual stuff like this too for date nights. We take turns who plans date night so that we (for the most part) are doing different activities instead of getting stuck in the dinner and movie rut. We have a huge outdoor park here in Houston that shows free movies, gives free dance lessons, free concerts, “reality shows,” etc so that is always a fun option!!
Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous December 23, 2011, 7:30 am
How exciting that you got on the Jumbotron!
Brittney December 23, 2011, 7:45 am
Ah, that’s awesome they put your picture up! I’ve been dying to go watch some sporting events in Charlotte (I really want to go to a Checkers game) so if you do a group night let me know- I’m in!
- CaitlinHTP December 23, 2011, 10:42 am
  I would love to go to the Checkers. We went last year and it was really fun.
Coco December 23, 2011, 8:00 am
That is so cool that your picture got put up! My boyfriend and I love going to sporting events (when they aren’t too expensive), or we’ll pick a random town within driving distance and go explore it for a day (I live in Baltimore and we drove to Gettysburg, for example). Also, there’s nothing wrong with a dinner date at home! Sometimes, I’ll dress up all nice and pretty and make the boy dinner, complete with mood lighting and wine. Still dun and much cheaper than going out to eat! haha…and when we DO go out, we use groupons or choose a local place with great happy hour specials.
Sarah December 23, 2011, 8:03 am
So cute they put your picture up! I’m always scared of getting put on the kiss cam at big games like that… I would just die!
Leanne (Bride to Mrs.) December 23, 2011, 8:04 am
We love having fondue at home! It’s a fun meal and is healthy to boot 🙂
Jennifer @ Happiness Here December 23, 2011, 8:04 am
We’ve been married for ten years and have never been to a sporting event! Maybe 2012 will be the year. =)
Carolina John December 23, 2011, 8:37 am
How fun! We just had a date night to go see the Nutcracker ballet from the local company. Really cool production.
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife December 23, 2011, 8:41 am
We just went on a date night too! We went and saw my previous ballet company perform “The Nutcracker” –and it was awesome!

YAH for being on the big screen–how cool!
Tiff @ Love Sweat & Beers December 23, 2011, 8:57 am
Fun! Gotta’ love cheap date nights. Just because I want to get out of the house for a bit doesn’t mean I want to throw down on a lavish wine & dine night.
Chrissy December 23, 2011, 9:10 am
Caitlin! I work as a VP at a middle school in Canada and just received Operation Beautiful from our guidance counsellor! As a regular reader of your blog, I am very excited to read this. I talk a lot about the ‘post-its’ and the powerful message for the young ladies in our school. I am very excited to read this over the holidays. Merry Christmas!!
- CaitlinHTP December 23, 2011, 10:42 am
  That is so fun 🙂 I am so glad you got a copy!!! Let me know if you post any notes!
  - Chrissy December 23, 2011, 7:17 pm
    Will do!
Lee December 23, 2011, 11:27 am
I had a fun, cheap date night last night – a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit with my husband. Fun and Free. Plus, I made those Chex Mix Muddy Buddies to go with it.
Sarah December 23, 2011, 11:34 am
I am usually the one who gets stuck in the kitchen cooking dinner (which is usually how I like it because it’s faster).

But sometimes my husband and I will plan a special meal and cook it together. This is so much more intimate and romantic than going out to a restaurant. It’s my favorite “date” activity.
Amber K December 23, 2011, 1:52 pm
What a fun date-night idea. I love cheap (or even free!) ideas the best. I can’t always find something going on, but it’s always fun when I find it!
Kimberly (Sketch the Ebb and Flow) December 23, 2011, 2:34 pm
Great idea! I need to brainstorm some new date night ideas. Since it has gotten cold and dark so early, my boyfriend and I have started hiding out at home watching old seasons of Breaking Bad. Not extremely romantic 😉
Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine December 23, 2011, 4:33 pm
Ahhh the jumbo tron! Such an excellent invention 🙂
Katie @ Katie Without Restrictions December 27, 2011, 9:04 am
I love the effort! Cheap + unusual makes for a very fun date.

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