Author Archives: Morgan Sims

About Morgan Sims

Morgan Sims is a writer who loves all things tech and social media. Follow her @MorganSims00

date ideas

9 Date Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

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Coming up with fresh date ideas when you’re married can be tough.  Having to be mindful of a budget can make it even tougher.

But there are a number of things you and your hubby can do together that are fun, exciting and won’t break the bank. All you need is a little ingenuity and an open mind.  

Volunteer

Giving back to the community isn’t only fulfilling (both for yourself and others), but it’s a great way to meet and talk to people from different backgrounds who will stimulate your senses and satisfy your entertainment needs.

It’s a great opportunity for you and your husband to spend some time together, while sharing an amazing experience and giving back to your community. It also offers the opportunity to meet new people and learn more about others.

Also, concerts, festivals and other types of events are always looking for volunteers. If you’re into the music scene, this is the perfect solution to getting to hear your favorite tunes while not having to pay for it.

If you don’t quite know where to volunteer or how to get started, try resources like Volunteer Match to find an organization near you.

Play a Game

Okay, this idea may seem a little stale, but you will really be surprised by the number of laughs you and your man will share.  It’s the perfect excuse to order a pizza, grab some cheap beer or wine, and break out a game like Scattergories or Life. It can be played as many or as few times as you’re interested in, and the results can be quite hilarious. They also aren’t so competitive that you’ll end up bitter at each other (cough, cough, Monopoly).  

Plant a Garden

Growing your own garden isn’t just entertaining, it’s good for the environment and helps you save money, not to mention spruces up your home’s exterior. If you’re a couple that likes being outdoors and active, this is a great way to spend the day together and be productive. Head to your local nursery and pick out a variety of plants and flowers to plant in the ground or for a lesser commitment, in big, beautiful pots.

All-Out Movie Night

For a relaxing and indulgent Friday night after a hectic week, plan a movie night… but not just your regular DVD and microwave popcorn movie night. Get a cheap bottle of wine, make some caramel popcorn, bring bed pillows out to the living room, light some candles and put on your favorite pajamas.

Rather than having to go out to rent a movie or watch one you’ve seen a hundred times, utilize the movies offered by your cable provider or services like Hulu or Netflix. Movies are brand new, well-priced and involve no extra effort to watch. These little details can make a standard movie night into a romantic and relaxing night in.

Flea Market Finds

If your man is game, get up early on a weekend, grab a cup of coffee and head out to your local flea market. The opportunity to find something unique and affordable for your home is something you both will love. Turn it into a contest to see who can find and repurpose the best piece; channel your inner HGTV hosts and see what your imagination is capable of.

Drinks & Dessert

Don’t you hate when you go to a restaurant and at the end of the night they give you the dessert menu and you’re either too full or too money conscious to order one of the decadent treats? Make that a date! Eat a light meal at home, then head out to your favorite restaurant to enjoy a glass of wine and share a fantastic dessert.

Baby/Pet Sitting

Have friends with kids or a dog, but you don’t? Do them a favor and offer to take their kid(s) (either fur or human!) for a few hours on a weekend. Take the kids to a museum, park, or aquarium, or take a hike with their pooch. It’ll give you and your husband a chance to get a glimpse into life with children, while giving your friends a much needed break.

Cook-Off

Do you and your husband have a favorite food show? Try recreating it together, and inviting a friend or two over to be the judge. Make a spending and time limit for both and get to cookin’! You’ll end up with two fabulous meals (great for leftovers!) and the chance to spend time together. If you’re not feeling competitive, assign one of you to the main course and the other to sides and appetizers and collaborate for an awesome meal.

Coupons

Want to do a traditional dinner date, but are afraid of the bill? Check sites like Groupon and Living Social to find deals on restaurants in your area. Many have deals that offer discounts on your entire meal, free appetizers, or coupons that give you double the money (Pay $15, get a $30 gift card). It will also encourage you to try new spots.

 

holidays with your hubby

5 Ways to Get Ready for the Holidays with Your Hubby

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Decorating and planning for the holidays has traditionally been a domestic role left to women. Thankfully, gender roles have come a long way in the past couple of decades. As a matter of fact, the holidays are the perfect time to reconnect and have fun with your hubby as you prepare for the festivities. If this sounds like something your marriage needs, take a look at these five activities you can enjoy with your hubby to get ready for the holidays.

Decorate the House Inside and Out

Nothing puts you more in the holiday spirit than decorating the house. The decorations are a constant reminder of the season. You can’t help but think about it every time you walk by your Christmas tree, in all its glory, or any of the other decorations that are spread throughout your house.

When it comes time to decorate this holiday season, get your husband involved. Don’t banish him outdoors to put up the lights — instead, spend time putting up the tree together. You’ll have a lot of fun reminiscing about past holiday seasons and what you can do to make this year just as great.

Plan a Holiday Party or Event

The holidays are the perfect time to get together with family and friends. This is another place you can use your husband and have fun together as a couple. Even if he’s not too interested in the details, such as invitations and meal ideas, he may still have some really good ideas about when to have the party and what entertainment to plan. Spend a date night deciding what you’re going to do and how you can make it the best party or event ever.

Here are some holiday party ideas to get you started:

  • Get family and friends to participate in a progressive dinner.
  • Have everyone bring a white elephant gift and have fun with the exchanges.
  • Go Christmas caroling or host a holiday karaoke night.
  • Decorate cookies and other baked goods for neighbors and friends.
  • Do a service project for less fortunate families in your community.
  • Watch a classic holiday movie with signature cocktails.

Do Some Charity Work as a Couple

Every community has a need for volunteers, whether it means serving food to the homeless, participating in a “Sub for Santa” project, or just spreading the holiday spirit around your neighborhood. This is an excellent holiday activity to do with your husband, and even with the rest of your family. You have the opportunity to give back to your community, help make the lives of others better, and share the experience together. There are dozens of national and local charities you can get involved in that are either year round or specific to the holiday season. Find one close to your family’s heart and spend the day with your husband giving back. 

Make Gifts for Family and Friends

No list on planning for the holidays would be complete without a post about holiday DIY. A great way to spend time with your hubby is to make gifts for the holidays. Plus, it’ll save you money on your holiday budget. Even if your husband isn’t particularly interested in crafts, there are ways to get him involved that may be more in his wheel house, such as painting, building, designing, or anything else you think he might like. You might be surprised how much fun you have together, and having him complete some of the more difficult tasks is certainly a healthy ego boost.

Here are some easy gift ideas you can make as a couple:

  • Baked goods (ex: peppermint bark, hot coco kit including hot chocolate mix and marshmallows in a mason jar with a mini Bailey’s bottle tied on, homemade doggy treats, or mini pies)
  • Spruced up spirits (take a wine or champagne bottle, cover in adhesive then roll in glitter)
  • Custom ornaments (buy glass ornaments and fill with paint and roll around, or fill with glitter or pom poms)
  • Instagram picture tile coasters (buy bath tiles and use Mod Podge to adhere favorite photos)
  • Monogrammed wreaths (buy large wooden letters and wrap them in twine, or hot glue ornaments on)
  • Custom mugs (use Sharpies to decorate mugs then bake them in the oven)

Build a List and Go Shopping

Unfortunately, most people don’t have time to make all the gifts they need for the holidays. Even more unfortunately, it is a necessity for almost everyone to brave the masses and do your gift shopping. To make it more bearable and get some quality time, you can make a shopping list with your hubby so that nobody gets forgotten. Be sure to include alternate gift ideas along with your list just in case you have trouble finding a particular item. Then get in the car and get the shopping done. You can divide and conquer or rely on each other to find great holiday deals and stretch your pennies to the max. Make a day out of hitting the malls, grab coffee and lunch together to break up the crazy crowds and catch up on any other holiday planning you may have. 

Don’t let the busy holiday season be a strain on your relationship. There are plenty of things you can do together as a couple to make the holidays memorable and your relationship stronger than ever.

What are your favorite things to do during the holidays and how do you get your husband involved?