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"Right around the holidays, it&amp;amp;#8217;s easy to get swept up in decorating, gift-giving and last minute work before break. But what cost does your love life pay? Ladies, it&amp;amp;#8217;s time to put down the mistletoe and try out this wallet-friendly date. Most of us are seriously strapped for cash by the second week of December once holiday shopping takes over our lives (little shopping for you, little shopping for me...). I know I&amp;amp;#8217;m reeling in my spending habit to make sure I get all the gifts I need and my fun date nights have turned into stay-in-and-hang-out nights. And by stay in, I do not mean hanky panky by the fireplace; we&amp;amp;#8217;re talking movie marathons in sweatpants on the couch because it&amp;amp;#8217;s too cold outside to move from this comfy spot. Who&amp;amp;#8217;s with me? Anyway, J and I figured out a way to combine the holidays, date night, and our friends, and I&amp;amp;#8217;m pretty sure you&amp;amp;#8217;re going to want to try it. It&amp;#x27;s corny and cute and fun all at once. Last year we tried it before Christmas and then again on New Year&amp;#x27;s Eve and since it was such a bit hit both times, we&amp;#x27;re doing it again this year. OK, first, you guys cook and enjoy a romantic meal together. Have you been dying to put your oven to use for something other than gingerbread cookies? Now&amp;amp;#8217;s the time! In between our healthy eating, J and I have been attempting to master some classic Italian dishes as well as the perfect steak. Spending a couple hours in the kitchen with your partner will be fun and rewarding: you get that one-on-one time you&amp;amp;#8217;re craving and get a tasty meal to dig into at the end. Bonus points for trying a dessert recipe and setting the table all pretty (re: no eating in front of the TV), too! Once you&amp;#x27;ve got your meal down, invite your friends over another night for a holiday dinner party. You can play hosts and cook the same meal (so you know it&amp;#x27;s good and already get the cooking groove down) for your guests. Maybe just ask your buds to bring over the wine or dessert so you&amp;amp;#8217;re all chipping in. Pop on some holiday jams, exchange gifts if you&amp;amp;#8217;ve got &amp;amp;#8216;em, and take photos near your Christmas tree or menorah. Super-cute, right? This date-to-dinner-party idea is fun, cost-effective, and you don&amp;#x27;t even have to be living together to do it. Oh, and if you&amp;amp;#8217;re single just test out the meal with your best friend or roomie before you invite anyone else over! Your friends and your taste buds will thank you. ;) Will you try out this date-to-dinner-party idea? What meal will you try? Do you already cook with your guy? Do you have any big plans date-wise or friend-wise for the holidays? Tell me, tell me! Photo: Thinkstock"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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