Whether you’re married or dating someone special, we’ve all heard and read a gazillion times about the importance of not taking the love of our lives for granted. Voila, date night!

But what if you have hardly any budget — $10 at best? This is where really knowing your significant other’s likes and dislikes comes in. Also, a bit of compromising on your part can go a long way here.

If you’re movie buffs, make buttery-cinema popcorn and rent a flick to watch from the comfort of your own home.

Or, order a take-out meal and split it. But first, set the scene with candles to make it feel extra special.

Another idea: Challenge your mate to an evening of board games or video competitions.

If you both like to dance, dress up. Then go to YouTube and play your favorite bands or concert and dance your hearts out. Refreshments are as close as your refrigerator. Also, since the pandemic is more under control and activities are opening up again with state safety mandates in place, check out the calendar section of newspapers and magazines for farmers markets, free outdoor concerts, movies, art festivals, museum days and theatrical performances.

The Flock Theatre will present “Cyrano De Bergerac” by Edmond Rostand (translated by Brian Hooker) from 7 to 8 p.m. at Wilcox Park at 44 Broad St. in Westerly, Rhode Island (next to the library) Thurs. through Sunday, June 24-27 and Thurs. through Sat., July 1-3.

Colonial Theatre will also perform “Shakespeare in the Park” Fri. through Sunday, July 30 through Aug. 1 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Additional Shakespeare performances will be held at Wilcox Park Aug. 4-8 and Aug. 11-15.

For more details and to learn about more activities, go online to westerlylibrary.org and click on “Events” and “Full Calendar.”

The annual Norwich Harbor Fireworks are back and will be held on Sat., July 3. Dine on fare from food trucks. Rain date is Monday, July 5.

Additionally, the 2021 Summer Concert Series offers two venues with live, local bands. “Rockin’ the Dodd” at Dodd Stadium, 14 Stott Ave. in Norwich, will feature “Red Light” on July 7 and “Fever” on July 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Then bring your lawn chair to “Rock the Docks” at Howard T. Brown Park in downtown Norwich on Wednesdays July 11 through Aug. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Expect to break out some dance moves for the bands 60’s Explosion, Brandt Taylor Band, Whiskey Boulevard and Melaena. Concessions and beer/wine coolers will be available at all events. Rain dates: Aug. 18 and 25. For a list of upcoming activities, go online to norwichchamber.com and click on “News, Events & Programs” and then “Community Calendar” and “Chamber Calendar.”

You could also take your sweetheart to one of many classic car shows (cruise nights) scheduled in Norwich and surrounding towns and nearby states that are either free or request a nominal donation. Most feature music, food and beverages. For a vast list of events, including dates and times, go to dreammachineclassics.org/calendar.

Additionally, every Monday evening, Classic Hits 98.7 WNLC sponsors Ocean Beach Park’s Cruise Night show at 98 Neptune Ave. in New London. Enjoy a parade of antique cars and other interesting vehicles and the sounds of a live disc jockey spinning classic music. Parking and admission is free. (There are ride wrist band specials, as well as waterslide and mini-golf specials, but that would put you over your $10 budget plan for this date.)

Perhaps you could indulge in ice cream cones. You could also pack a blanket, picnic basket and maybe your bikes and head to your nearest state park, forest, trail, beach or historic site. As part of Connecticut’s “Passport to the Parks Program,” many activities are free for Connecticut residents with state-registered vehicles.

One possibility: Take a romantic walk through a public garden. Three that come to mind are Veterans Memorial Rose Garden on Rockwell Street in Norwich’s Mohegan Park, the Connecticut College Arboretum at 270 Mohegan Ave. in New London and Elizabeth Park at 1561 Asylum Ave. in West Hartford.

Now that it’s warmer, you could go fishing or hunt for crabs and sea shells — and lose track of time for a change.

Or keep your wallet at bay by playing darts, ping pong or billiards. Grab your rackets and play tennis at your local park. It’s not only fun, it’s a great workout.

Become a tourist in your own state or a nearby one and take day trips to iconic places. When was the last time you strolled around Mystic Village, Stonington Borough, Yale Campus in New Haven, charming downtown Pawcatuck/Westerly (just 20 miles from downtown Norwich) or the Book Barn in Niantic with its numerous buildings featuring specific book genres?

Now it’s time to fantasize. Imagine when you’re on your porch or patio enjoying your tea or glass of wine and chatting with your one and only, that you are actually at a Bed & Breakfast.

For something even more outdoorsy, set up a tent in your own backyard. Owls and cicadas sound the same everywhere, don’t they?

Tell ghost stories. Enjoy stargazing and finding the Big/Little Dippers, Orion “The Hunter” and Taurus “The Bull.” If you have a firepit, you could roast marshmallows.

How about learning together how to paint, draw, speak a new language, play an instrument or stretch with yoga? Learn through library books, or, easier yet, via YouTube (which can be accessed on newer televisions with voice-activated remotes). Just say “YouTube” and “Painting Class,” or whatever it is you’re interested in.

Try taking turns massaging each other’s backs and feet. Ooh. Aah.

Experience serenity at Crowded Acres Farm at 153 Scotland Road in Baltic’s Sprague Village.

Observe the antics of chickens and farm animals while you enjoy a picnic on the owners’ grounds.

Historical aficionados will love taking free, virtual-guided tours of fascinating places in Norwich by going to www.norwichhistoricalsociety.org/virtual-tours. Watch them online or walk by these places in person and learn about the Uncas Leap legend, Benedict Arnold, Ancient Burial Grounds, the Norwich Freedom Trail, as well as “Off-Kilter Tales of Norwichtown” and the Millionaires’ Triangle, among others.

Seasonally, find a farm near you, such as Grant’s Berry Patch (www.grantsberrypatch.net/#home-faq-row) at 188 Mell Road in Lisbon, where you can pick your own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and pumpkins.

Holmberg Orchard (www.holmbergorchards.com) at 1990 Route 12 in Gales Ferry also offers the “pick your own” option for blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, apples, pears and pumpkins. Check both businesses’ website calendars to view picking schedules.

Remember: Not everything that’s fun costs money. “Date Night” is about what “fun” means to the both of you, not how much money you spend. Maybe your idea of a great date is volunteering for an organization that you’re passionate about.

A couple of caveats to remember on “date night,” of course, include: If you have young children, arrange for them to stay with their grandparents or at a friend’s house. Also, keep it romantic. Don’t talk about problems, bills, the future and all your worries. Suspend these thoughts and enjoy this special time together and each other. Look into her/his eyes and remind yourself that this is what it is really all about – building a loving, ever-changing life together – one adventure at a time.

Maybe those elderly couples we see walking down the street hand in hand use some of these ideas to keep their relationship alive.