Yes, you can date on a budget.  Morton East couples came up with some inexpensive date ideas for the winter months.

Winter is the perfect time to go on dates. But, for some high school students, money might be an obstacle. There are students in Morton East that have a budget for their winter dates, but they still want to make sure that their date is meaningful and special. Students have a budget of no more than $50 per date

“I am willing to spend about $50 for a date. That would be including for food and tickets, “junior student Jose Ramirez said

“When I think about a date, I usually think that it needs to be something expensive, but I would not spend over $50 per date,” Senior student Ana Matias said.

“When it comes to dates during the holidays just buying Christmas gifts is expensive as there is, so my budget for a date drops down to about $40 per date,” Senior student Yahir said.

These are some inexpensive Winter date ideas for Morton East couples.

Initially, The least inexpensive winter date idea is Ice skating, Ice-skating rings are everywhere and they can range anywhere from $1 to $15 per each pair of ice skating shoes. The entrance to the ice-skating ring is free and the only investment is the ice skating shoe rentals. If you already have ice skating shoes the entrance will be completely free.

–Bobby Hull community ice ring. (3400 S 53rd Ave, Cicero, IL 60804)

–Ice skating ring trail Maggie Daley ribbon (337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601)

“We chose this place because we both were in the Christmas spirit and the prices for ice skating are insanely cheap, the ice-skating ring is also nearby,” Senior couple Ariana Roman and Yahir said.

Secondly, the following least inexpensive option for couples is making a gingerbread house. A gingerbread house kit can be found in almost any location such as target or Walmart or even Walgreens. They are super inexpensive; they can cost anywhere from $5 to $15 and can be created at the comfort of your own home. They are a great idea for last minute dates and a cute way to spend time with your partner. Making a gingerbread house can also be a way to share creativity. If you want to make the date be a game, you can also compete with your partner and see who decorates their gingerbread house the best. Morton East students share their opinions about a gingerbread house date.

“If I had to choose an activity for a date for me and my girlfriend I would choose to make a ginger bread house because you will bond more and you can eat it together afterwards, “  Junior student Jose Ramirez said.

“If I had to choose for a more relaxing date, I would go for making a gingerbread house because we can have a conversation while decorating,” Senior student Ana Matias said.

Lastly, a beautiful inexpensive place that you and your significant other can go to is a lights fest. Lights fests are parks that every winter season are decorated with lights and food.  Some lights fests do have a small cost to their installations, they can be anywhere between $15 to $25. But there are any other free places with lights where you can go with your significant other. Some of the most popular light festivals that you can go to are

-Lincoln park zoo lights (2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614)

-Botanical garden (1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022)

-illumination tree lights at the Morton Arboretum (4100 Illinois Rt 53 Lisle, IL 60532)

-Brookfield zoo (8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513)

Morton East students share their opinions about a light’s fest date

“Going to a lights fest sounds like a cute day where we could go on a walk and enjoy the scenery together,” Senior student Ana Matias said.

“I feel like going to a lights fest is for couples who have been dating for a longer time, they have a deeper and emotional connection,” Junior student Jose Ramirez said.

Lastly, every couple deserves to go on small dates, money should not be an obstacle for boding with your loved ones. We encourage students to celebrate Christmas together and share special moments with each other.