Getting out of the house with your significant other can be difficult. When you first started dating, you probably went out multiple times in the month in order to get to know each other better and create memories together. However, the longer your relationship lasts, the fewer and fewer those special, intimate “date nights” become. Throw kids into the mix and you might start asking, “What is ‘date night’?”
However, making time to prioritize you and your partner’s relationship will ultimately benefit you and your family in the long run. Even if the babysitter falls through, there are ways you and your partner can recreate those “first date” feelings in the comfort of your own home. Keep scrolling to read our 5 at-home date night ideas for busy couples.
Play a Board Game
Scrabble, Uno or a good game of Battleship, dusting off the board games in your kids’ room or closet is a great way of turning a boring night into an exciting one. Sometimes a bit of competitive fun can get those romantic juices flowing and bring you and your loved one closer together.
Make it extra special and recreate that wine bar feeling by opening a special bottle of wine and making a simple wine and cheese plate. Create new, fun memories right from the comfort of your own living room!
Cook a Meal
Even if you and your partner prefer fast food cuisine, it’s a good idea to try and cook together at least once or twice a week. Even if the meal turns out to be a complete disaster, you can always share a good laugh about it later. Try cooking your favorite types of meals together. Or if you prefer baking and he likes to cook, why not split the duties? Your partner creates a yummy dinner and you finish the date night off with the perfect dessert!
Don’t forget the niceties either. After you and your other half whip up this delicious meal, don’t eat it on TV trays in the living room. A properly set table doesn’t have to be just for the restaurant. Grab a tablecloth (or even a spare bed sheet), some flowers, a couple of candles and even someplace settings if you have them. Even the saddest looking dinner can be romantic if the setting is right!
Have a Picnic
Fall is definitely the most romantic time of year. Being outdoors, surrounded by the changing colors of the leaves, instantly creates a cuddly and cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for reconnecting with your loved one. If you have a firepit, find a warm and cozy outdoor area, spread out a blanket and share a bottle of wine.
Leave your phones inside and take the time to have a real conversation with no distractions. Lean back, look at the stars and remember what it was like to have no restrictions on your time or attention.
Plan a Vacation
Pretend you bought that million-dollar lotto ticket and start putting together your ultimate vacation. Get those creative juices flowing with questions like:
- Would you rather sail around the world or road trip across the USA?
- Would you stay in fancy hotels or B&Bs?
- What specific places would you visit?
Once you’ve put together your perfect vacation, you can use other date nights to start planning how to make that dream a reality!
Spa Night
This is one of the most versatile ‘at-home’ date night ideas because it really can be as simple or as luxurious as you want it to be! It can be as simple as swapping shoulder or foot massages with scented oils, or go all out and create the ultimate spa experience. Run a relaxing, scented bubble bath. Buy that expensive facial mask. Have your loved one give you a complete, head-to-toe deep tissue massage. Throw in a glass of sparkling wine or champagne, and you and your partner are sure to end the night in romantic bliss.
No matter what you and your partner do to prioritize each other, it’s all about carving out that space and acknowledging everything that special person has done to make you feel loved and supported. Even if you can only get out of the house once every few weeks (or every few months) to enjoy a date night, there are plenty of ways to create a date night at home if you’re on a budget, or short on babysitters. By setting aside that time to celebrate your love, not only will you be reinforcing the reason you came together in the first place, you’ll be creating new memories that you’ll treasure in the years to come.
