A Friday Night Out – At Home
Quick, if you were to plan a date last minute for this weekend what would it be? Odds are it would be dinner and a movie. Spending time catching up and chatting over dinner followed by an entertaining movie is a very nice way to spend an evening. If you go out however, it can be a bit costly.
Where we live, a dinner for two at a middle of the road restaurant will cost roughly $80 follow that with a movie at $10 each and you’re already at $100. You still haven’t paid for parking, gone for coffee after the show, paid the babysitter, or topped up the gas you used in your car. With a little planning an evening like this can be a lot less expensive, a bit more fun and all in the comfort of your own home. Give these ideas a try next time you’re thinking of dinner and a movie.
1. Dinner. Instead of going out for dinner go all out and make a nice meal at home. If it’s a family affair try having a bit of fun with personal homemade pizzas. Everyone gets a crust and can add as many of their favorite toppings as they like. If a dinner for two is more your thing, make it a bit more intimate by cooking a fancy meal together at home. Try the site fine dining for some great fancy dinner ideas. (We made asparagus spears surrounded by a carrot ring…pretty straightforward and it looks so cool too! 
).
2. Movie. Movie theater seats have come a long way but they still don’t beat a big comfy couch or a ton of blankets and pillows laid out on the floor. Rent a movie for a fraction of the cost of heading to the theatre. You could also consider watching a favorite DVD that you haven’t seen in a while or ask a friend to borrow one from their collection. Then lay back relax and enjoy the show.
3. Snacks. Fresh baked cookies, sliced fruit, popcorn, pretzels, chips, yogurt, molten lava cakes, the list of snacks that you can have at home is pretty long. You can make them as healthy or as sinful as you like. Throw in a glass of water, pop, juice or a nice red wine and you’re set. All this for a whole lot less than it would have cost you to munch away at the theatre.
4. After movie coffee. After the movie make a fancy coffee or tea to unwind and chill before going off to bed. If you like chai tea you really should give this recipe a try. My husband made this mix for me as part of my Christmas gift this year and it is so good. Many a chai tea crises were averted by having this on hand I’ll tell ya!
This is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening at home. We usually opt for the pizzas, red wine, blankets and pillows on the floor, popcorn and tea. What would your dinner and movie night look like at your place?
Photo courtesy of: tschörda
See also:
From Wasteful to Frugal – Our Journey
14 Responses to “A Friday Night Out – At Home”
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Sounds like a wonderful evening, although I’d switch the red wine for some of our local brew (Wisconsin Amber–deeelicious!) Tea would be preferable (for me) ’cause coffee would have me flyin’ all night long…*smiles!* Our current favorite way to spend the night is on our own “cozy couch” in front of the fireplace, feet on the hearth and reading all night long with some quiet jazz in the background. Relaxing beverages optional….*smiles!*
Cheers and a fine weekend to ya’!
–Jaxon
Ice Cream always finds a way into ours. lol
With a three year old in the house, just having the quiet time alone on a Friday night after he has gone to bed is wonderful. That is when we can watch a movie that we want to instead of Blues Clues or Winnie the Pooh, although sometimes we both are so tired we fall asleep before the movie finishes.
Oh the exciting lives we lead
(Steve–we had a minor crisis in our house when the Steve on Blues Clues inexplicably left the show! *smiles!* It’s quite different having a kid who watches MST3K/30 Rock/The Office episodes with us now instead of Winnie the Pooh shorts/movies for the bazillionth time. I’ll always treasure those days but I’m not entirely saddened by her change in taste *big smile!*)
Jaxon – that is really funny! We got into Blues Clues with our son after Steve had left for “college” and Joe took over on the show. We have seen episodes with both. Just is not the same.
What a great idea! It is more frugal and fun than going out. Plus you can take unlimited movie intermissions.
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@Jaxon – beer’s good too!
We had a fire place in our old house and oh how we miss it! There’s something special about it being -30C outside, dark and you’re inside under a blanket sitting by a fire…it’s just lovely!
@ Steve – we’re right there with ya. 8pm the boys are down for sure and then we have the rest of the night to ourselves…I usually make it until 9:30 WOW eh? But it’s something
@Roger – Good point, you don’t have access to the pause button at the theater! We like staying in not only because it’s more frugal (definite plus) but it’s just a lot more comfortable as well!
Oh and we’ve just started watching Blue’s Clues with our eldest and having seen both Steve and Joe I have to say, I kinda like Joe. *ducks!*
I don’t know guys…looks like we could get into a heated debate regarding the merits of Steve versus Joe in Blue’s Clues. lol
I’m more of a Steve fan but Joe’s an excellent replacement. It’s not like a Dick York/Dick Sargent debacle….*laughs!*
Sherri, this is really great advice. Thank you. Our situation is a little different though:
I work from home, and my wife homeschools the younger kids (who are 15 and 8 years old). We’re already at home a lot. So when we do have a night out, we tend to want to leave the house. Of course it helps that the older kids (who are 19 and 17) can also babysit the younger ones.
There are still some nights, though, when we either don’t want to spend the money, or are just too tired to go out. On those nights, we’ll usually do a movie and popcorn, or play on the Wii.
Thanks, again, Sherri!
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@ Steve and Jaxon – You guys are great!
@ Michael – I totally understand! As I stay home with our two boys now, I really do know how nice it is to get out of the house every now and again. It’s lovely that you’re older kids are able to watch the younger ones.
I’m with you on playing Wii as well. Gwynn and I have so much fun with it, although we haven’t played in ages…maybe we’ll put that on the short list for our next night out at home.