Surviving College Life

10 Cheap Date Ideas for Fall

November 20th, 2009 Jamie

The weather may be getting chilly, but that’s no reason you can’t heat up your love life as autumn turns into winter. Here are 10 cheap-or-free ideas to spice up your dating life.

1. The Great Pumpkin. Hit a pumpkin patch (it’s getting late in the season, so better go soon!) and find your pumpkin-soul-mate. Carve it up (it’s never too late to do some pumpkin art) or try your hand at some pumpkin recipes.
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2. Warm Up. Grab some coffee or cider at a cafe and work through some questions in the IF… book. Or do it for free by perusing it at a bookstore coffee shop.
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3. Cool Down. Ready to get into the winter spirit already? Brave the cold and go ice skating (or find an ice rink in your area if its not cold where you live, you lucky duck). Sure, your butt may meet the ice a few times, but if you can’t laugh about it at least you have an excuse to cling to your sweetie.
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4. Toss Around the Pigskin. Football season is upon us, so whether you love it or hate it, why not embrace it? Play some tackle football in the park or get some yummy, unhealthy snacks and root like crazy for your team (whether you know what’s going on or not).
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5. Down, Set, Hike. The weather’s getting colder, so head out for a walk in the woods before it gets too cold. You still have time to catch some fall color! Up the ante by bringing a picnic.
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6. Lookie-Loo. If you’re in (or near) a big city, go to a weekend art gallery opening. They’re usually free, offer a great chance to take in and discuss some culture (how mature!), and often offer munchies, too.
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7. Starlight, Star Bright. The crisp, cold air of autumn makes it a great time to take in the starts. The Leonid meteor shower was this past week, and you can check here for more meteor shower dates & times. Bring a blanket and something warm to eat, and be prepared to huddle together for warmth.
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8. Lots of Drive. I’m a sucker for the vintage charm of a drive-in movie–they’re cheesy and fun, and you can bring blankets and food so you’re perfectly comfy. Plus it won’t bother the people behind you if you crack jokes or peel off a candy wrapper. Pick up some food at a drive through and then drive-in for your main feature. (Find nearby drive-ins at driveinmovie.com.)
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9. Do Good. It’s the season of giving thanks for what we have, so why not pay it forward? Spend a Saturday morning helping out at a soup kitchen, or pitch in at a local or national food bank like Feeding America.
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10. Swedish Dinner and a Movie. Ready to release your inner film student? For a ridiculous group date (and some great blackmail material) head over to Ikea with your crush and some other pals. Dine on some Swedish meatballs and then use the sample rooms as your own personal film stage, like this group of improvers did. Just be prepared for some funny looks from your fellow shoppers.

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Entry Filed under: dating