[Cue the violins]
Love is in the air, and its contagious nature often leads us into the habit of making grand romantic gestures that require syphoning government coffers or starting a Go-Fund-Me campaign.
So, for those foolhardy love-fiends who aren’t into elaborate dates, complete with a serenading mariachi band and flashy fireworks, we’ve put together a tried and tested list of thrifty methods that show your paramour a good old fashioned courting experience (without resorting to Netflix and Chill).
The Breakfast Club
Not the 80’s classic, but a classic nonetheless.
We’re here to give breakfast dates their due, because coffee, eggs benedict and a steady stream of pastries are basically the foods of love. There’s also no reason not to skip the boring formalities of a fancy dinner date when you can introduce your loved one to your other loved one, sweat pants. Start a Saturday morning tradition by getting your hands dirty in the kitchen and inviting your other half over to enjoy the fruits (and quiches) of your labour.
Need a little culinary inspiration to help you sidestep the partially burnt toast weekday standard? Try the decadent Wholewheat Pancakes with Roasted Berries or one of the various featured breakfast recipes, courtesy of Food and Wine.
Holistic Loving
Quick: Name an exercise that involves two people stretching? Now that we have your attention, let’s get to the free Yoga classes that promise to bond the two of you together, either over shared enjoyment or an embarrassing amateur fumble. No matter, indulging in a quiet meditation class to escape the frenzied cityscape while catching your breath may be just what the love doctor ordered.
Check out the YogaLife studio in Cape Town for a free week of beginner classes or keep an eye out for Yoga events in your city with Yoga Awakening Africa.
The Stars Align
Image source: http://bit.ly/2u7zETO
This one is heavily inspired by the rom-com cliché, but there is an ethereal romance that comes with star-gazing and, also, your loved one’s bewildered expression as you attempt your signature hand puppet over the projection. So stop off at your city’s local planetarium for a breath-taking pre or post-home-cooked dinner display that will set the galactic bar for future dates.
If you’re in the Mother City, be sure to check out the Iziko Museum Planetarium or the Wits Planetarium in Braamfontein, and enjoy some guided interstellar travel from the comfort of your seat.
Caffeinated City Walks
Travel the trendy urban spaces by foot and take in some of the inner-city artistic character while you sip coffee and discuss everything from politics to potential future baby names. This simple (did we mention cheap?) date idea, which comes straight out of the quirky couple playbook, allows you to interact with one another and the sights, sounds and scenes of a lively metropolis at your leisure without the pressure of a midweek morning hustle.
Try Nielsen Tours free walking excursions, where you get to explore some of Joburg’s or Cape Town’s historic hubs for an informative but frugal date idea.
Promenades + Bicycles
Wake and bike, baby! Get high on the early morning ocean air, throw in some low intensity two-wheel riding and you’ve got yourself a novel date idea that costs less than a chicken dinner. Why not pack in a picnic lunch and make a day out of your seaside escapades? Not a morning person? A little late afternoon cycle against the setting sun will get you both in the mood for saving.
Check out the Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town or the famous Durban Promenade and treat yourself and your partner to some spectacular views.
