14 Dates in a Jar--All Dates Combined Under $25

Jar Full of Dates

If you've ever dated someone or have been married to someone for any length of time, you know how difficult it can be to come up with different, fun, and affordable dates, especially if you live in a small "Nothing-to-Do" town.  If you're like us, it's so easy to fall into a routine of doing the whole "dinner & a movie" or "dinner and shopping" dates.  Not only are these dates boring after a while, but they're expensive!  By the time you pay for dinner and the movies, you've easily spent $40-$50.  

My husband and I just had a baby 12 weeks ago Monday.  We've realized even more, the importance of setting aside "alone time".  Needless to say, taking care of a new baby is exhausting, it's expensive, and the sleep deprivation does horrible things to your creativity!  So, I've been researching online some creative ways to show my honey how much I love him and how important my time with him is.  I came across a similar idea as this, only this one was for a year of dates (one each month) and they were EXPENSIVE dates.

So, if your looking for a creative way to making "dating" fun again... check out this quick and easy "Jar Full of Dates".  The best thing is, all 14 dates won't cost you more than $25.  That's my kind of date!! :)

What you'll need:

• Jar or container
• colored paper
• scissors
• string or ribbon (I used what I had on hand)
• $25 in one dollar bills

1. First, cut the colored paper into strips.  On each strip write a date that you and your husband/boyfriend can do.

 My dates were as follows, you can adjust these to your own ideas: 
> Buy a loaf of bread and feed the ducks at a local pond.
> Buy a box of popsicles or ice cream sandwiches and eat them while watching the sunset.
> Buy a bottle of sparkling grape juice and two cheap champagne glasses (we have plastic ones from the Dollar Tree) take it to a nice place with a view and sip and talk.
> Stop by a local Fast Food Drive Through and share a dessert.
> Go camping in the backyard, eat camp foods.
> Lay on a blanket and stargaze while listening to a homemade CD of favorite romantic songs.
> Dress up and cook a fancy dinner using what you have in the freezer or pantry.  Eat it by candle-light.
> Rent two Redbox movies and make it a movie night.
>Go see a movie at the Dollar Theater.
> Build a small fire and make s'mores.
> Buy a frisbee and play a round of frisbee golf at the new health complex.
> Go for an evening hike or walk at Lake Hartwell, sit by the lake and snuggle.
> Bake some cookies and take a few with you.  Find a quiet spot and enjoy.
> Have a photo shoot.  Then, edit the pictures together.


2. Next, roll up the amount of money each date needs in the matching slip of paper and tie with ribbon or string.  For example, buy a loaf of bread and feed the ducks... I rolled $2 up in this slip.  Do this for each date.

3. Now, place all the rolled up dates/money into a jar or container.  I used a glass Mason Jar because I thought it looked pretty.

4. Tie a bow or ribbon around the jar and attach a sweet note.

5. Leave in a place for your sweetie to find.  Whenever you need or want a date, have him pull one out, and ENJOY your dates!