Cheap date ideas: Holiday handbells | Tree lights | Fine dining | Thrashers | Book signing

Too worried about buying gifts and paying bills to go out on a date? Well, you don’t have to compromise. Every week we bring you a few cheap date ideas, all $40 or less. For more on the dating scene, read the fabulous Misadventures in Atlanta blog.

Free holiday concerts

The melodic sound of handbells ringing is a true sign of the holiday season. It’s a unique musical presentation and one you and your date will surely enjoy. Even better: It’s free. The Atlanta Concert Ringers will perform for free Dec. 17 at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Atlanta. That’s just one of numerous free and cheap holiday music events taking place in coming days and weeks. The Johnson Ferry Christmas Festival on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church features 200 singers and the JF Orchestra. It, too, is free. With free entertainment, there’s plenty left for dinner or coffee afterward.

Book readings

Hearing authors talk about their work is always inspiring to me as a writer. But even if you’re not a writer, you can appreciate the storytelling authors add to readings. Pulitzer-Prize winning  journalist Rick Bragg will be at Georgia Perimeter College’s Clarkston Campus on Friday. Bragg is the author of several books, including “All Over But the Shoutin,’” “Ava’s Man” and “The Prince of Frogtown.” On Friday, he’ll discuss his latest release, “The Most They Ever Had.” The event is free and open to the public, and is a great date idea. Book signings and readings take place throughout the year, and most are free. Afterward, you and your date can discuss the reading and even read the books together for further discussion.

Not your everyday meal

Occasionally, you want to enjoy dining in a special venue. Joel Braisserie is that kind of restaurant, widely regarded as one of the finest in metro Atlanta. The problem, ordinarily, is affordability. Consider that solved. The Web site Halfoffdepot.com has a $25 gift certificate with a restaurant value of $50. You think $25 won’t really cover two people at Joel? You’re right, but it will get you very close if you go for the $18 price fixe, three-course lunch menu. That kind of price tag puts this extraordinary dining experience within reach of our bargain daters.

Ice Cold

Any excuse to cuddle is usually nice on a date. Ice hockey rinks tend to be on the chilly side, and while you don’t sit there and hold each other, you won’t mind getting a little close. The Atlanta Thrashers make dates possible for partners. Thursday night games are $15 for seats in sections 307 and 308. You won’t see the fights up close, but you’ll have fun anyway, even if you don’t know much about the sport.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

No holiday season would be complete without visiting bright and beautiful Christmas trees and decorations. Luckily for us, there are numerous sites around the city where such an activity is free of charge. The lights also spark a romantic sentiment that’s hard to match. Centennial Olympic Park is free to strollers. Life University light tours, though not free, are among the prettiest in town. Tickets are $5 per car. And of course, you can drive around local neighborhoods to see how creative and ambitious Atlantans are when it comes to holiday decorations.

More Cheap Date Ideas

Follow me on Twitter @atlbargains and on Facebook at AJC Atlanta Bargain Hunter