So those of you who know me know that my idea of a perfect first date is to start with a gift of cupcakes (for me), followed by a trip to the Toronto Zoo (or alternately a park with some squirrels in it), then to hit up a cheap roti place for dinner and a make out session in the car. Lately I’ve been trying to perfect a really complex glance-back/hair-flip/wink combo to finish it off (very bend and snap) but it always seems to end up with my heel stuck in a crack on the sidewalk and a half-stumble/half-gasp as I try to regain my balance while still looking cute. Work in progress.
 
Anyway, I’ve always been a fan of the cheap date. I figure, if you need to throw a pile of cash down on a fancy dinner then you likely haven’t got much of anything else to offer.
 
So for those of you who really haven’t got anything else to offer, or those who just need some inspiration, here are the top five first/second/third cheap dates that I’ve been on in the last while.
 
1. The coffee date – I love this one since it’s a max 45-minute/$10 commitment. You no like, you go home. On the flip side, if it’s going well, you can extend to dinner/lunch, whatevs. You can spice this staple first date up by Googling a boutique coffee stop instead of a pricey chain and checking out the ambience before hand. Or you can pick one next to a park, so you can suggest a romantic stroll afterwards. 
 
2. Cooking something together – best for a third or fourth date, and best if neither one of you knows how to cook. Pick the trickiest recipe you can find, meet at the grocery store and go from there. Trust me, it’s a riot. The messier the better.
 
3.Get a massage – best for those with health benefits, so you can get your money back. You can still claim a massage even if you happen to get it in the couples suite with your date next to you. You can also stretch it out a bit by taking advantage of the spa facilities…steam room or hot tub, etc. When you’re finished, you’ll be so relaxed, all you’ll be up to is a night on the couch. What you do on the couch is your business.
 
4.Go somewhere with animals – boys, this is a really underutilized form of foreplay. Most girls like cuddly animals, and like guys who like cuddly animals. Spend an afternoon at a petting zoo and she’ll end up ready for some petting of another variety. Or try the full zoo for an extended version.
 
5. Go to a gallery. I know we’ve all heard this one before, and I’m surprised at how few people take advantage of it. There’s some crazy stuff at galleries. There are dead people, pictures of naked people, and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs! If you can’t keep the conversation going with that material, then you need more than just first date inspiration. Most galleries have a free night…usually Thursday or Friday, and they’re typically open (relatively) late.
 
So there you go. Give them a shot and let me know how it works out.