Five First Date Ideas on a Budget*

Dating can be expensive and when you first meet someone, you may not want to commit to spending a lot of money in case things don’t work out. I have come up with five ideas for dates that won’t break the bank, but at the same time give you the opportunity to really get to know someone. You never know, it could lead to extravagant meals in nice restaurants, but whilst starting out there is no harm in doing it on a budget.

Home Movie Night
I know it may seem a bit strange on a first date to invite someone round to your home, but some people may be comfortable with this. If you wanted a casual opportunity to “get to know someone” then why not invite them over for a home movie night. Get some popcorn in, maybe cook some nachos and stick Netflix on. You don’t have to spend a lot and you also don’t have to sit in silence like you would if you went to the cinema. You may also feel more relaxed in your own environment.

Games Night
Similar to hosting a movie night, you could also host a games night. You really get to know someone over a game of Monopoly – this is when true emotions are really shown. It can be a fun way to lighten the mood and if you’re nervous or run out of conversation you always have the games to talk about and keep you going. Ask your date to bring over any games they have, it could be a chance to get nostalgic with old favourites such as Jenga or Snakes and Ladders. Make it interesting by turning them into drinking games, loser takes a shot.

Walk in the Park
You don’t have to spend any money to go for a walk and if it’s the right time of year, a trip to the local park can make for a nice first date location. Choose a central location and meet up for a walk and maybe a take-away coffee. This is also a great idea for dog owners as you can get to know someone whilst also seeing what your dog thinks of them. Dogs always seem to be able to judge character I am sure of it. If you live near the coast, the beach is also a good option. A portion of chips and an ice-cream will cost you about £5 and you’ll benefit from the fresh sea breeze.

Pubs with Extras
The pub can make for a great first date location due to the atmosphere and the flowing drinks you’re bound to avoid any awkward silences. Choose a pub that has some extra facilities, perhaps a pool table or darts. You can then add a bit more fun to your date and also get a feel for how competitive they are. It’ll also help settle any first date nerves and help you to pace out those drinks so you don’t make a fool of yourself.

Bingo
As strange as it sounds, I recently went to bingo and had an amazing time. It cost me less than £10 for my game and meal with a drink. You can get to know one another between games and generally have a good laugh. You may even win something which would be an added bonus! I didn’t win anything when I went but we still had a great time and a few hours’ worth of chatting can be just what the doctor ordered!

If you want to try some of these ideas out and want to go on some dates then why not visit senior dating. The great thing about these date ideas is that you can do them regardless of where you live including Aberdeen dating and Hampshire dating. There are some lovely pubs in Kent if you fancy Kent dating and for the perfect beach date why not try Norfolk dating.

What have you got to lose?

*Sponsored Post

English Provender Co.'s Cheese-Board-Tastic Chutneys Review*

The nights are drawing in and I can’t help but start to feel a bit festive. Christmas is my favourite time of year and I love everything about it from the crisp air to the pretty lights and especially the food. My Christmas eve revolves around food and I love putting on a big buffet to feed the family. One of the things that always makes the list is a cheese board, which everyone loves.

With just 7 weeks until Christmas, The English Provender Co have kindly sent me some of their new range of chutneys and pickles, an ideal pairing for my cheese board! I can confirm they were all absolutely delicious! I’ll definitely be serving these alongside my festive spread.

The range has undergone a bit of a makeover and I love the new packaging. The stunning watercolour labels are vibrant and each jar looks great with my cheeseboard or even wrapped up as a gift for someone this Christmas. I received three flavours, all of which I had to try out just to test them of course.

First up was the Caramelised Red Onion Chutney which I thought was going to be my favourite as it is definitely one I have tried before. This is best paired with a strong cheese like a mature Cheddar or something like Stilton. I personally love having this with a bit of Brie, on something toasted. I tried this on a toasted wholemeal bagel and my goodness, with the Brie it was absolutely amazing. The sweetness of the chutney paired so well with the cheese and I highly recommend you give it a go.

I also received the Sweet Tomato and Chilli Chutney which was also really good. The sweetness balanced with a bit of a kick from the chilli was a great combination. This is best paired with a mild Cheddar or a smoked log cheese. It would also be really good with Red Leicester and I think would be nice on crackers.

Finally, I received the Plum and Bramley Apple Chutney which in the end turned out to be my favourite, which did surprise me. This was really sweet and is best paired with Brie and other soft cheeses. I actually had this with some Wensleydale with cranberries and it was amazing. It tasted like the sort of cheese and chutney combo you would want to get on a cheeseboard for dessert as it was a real sweet treat.

Overall I really enjoyed giving these chutneys a try, they have really added a bit of zing to my cheeseboard and I know they’re going to go down a treat at Christmas. Know a cheese lover? I think these would make the perfect stocking filler! What do you think?

For more information head over to the English Provender Website.

*I received these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.