In this season of our life, weekly date nights really aren't possible for my husband and me. We know how happy frequent and consistent dates make us, but life can make that difficult. If you find yourselves in the same boat, for whatever reason, I've come up with a few cute ideas for at-home date nights that are better than just watching a movie.
1. Game Night
I love playing games, and after a little research, I found there are a lot of games that you can do with just two people. A few fun ones are Battleship, Jenga, and a lot of card games. I think an at-home game night also could become a fun double date or group date! Invite your favorite couple friends over and everyone can contribute a snack. There's no need for a babysitter, and you can have fun well into the night. Happy gaming!
2. Cooking Together -- As a Friendly Competition
We love food, so cooking a new and never-tried recipe together is super fun for us... BUT it's also fun to turn it into a little competition. Pick a food that you must incorporate into a dish--like Brussel sprouts or olives--and see who can come up with the best dish! You might even come up with a creative prize for the winner!
3. Theme Night
Now may not be a good time to take a getaway to somewhere romantic, but you could bring that place to your home. Pick a place and use music and food to transport you there:
- Japan – Learn to make sushi together.
- Mexico – Eat homemade guac and chips.
- Italy – Have pasta and pizza with some gelato for dessert.
- Texas – Make barbecue with all the yummy sides.
4. Go Camping
This one I find sooo fun! Set up a tent and fill it with cozy pillows and blankets--even some candlelight if you're feeling romantic! Maybe you have a backyard and you could do it back there, but if not, push the couch back and pitch your tent inside! You can use flashlights, make oven smores, and sleep inside the tent for the evening. Sometimes a change of scenery can really stoke a sense of fun and adventure.
5. Get Takeout
I know this doesn’t seem creative BUT it can be. Pick 2-3 different restaurants and order just 1-2 items from each place--your favorite spinach dip from one place as an appetizer, a yummy slice of cheesecake from somewhere else for dessert!
I also think it would be fun to do a taste testing this way. So many fast-food spots claim to have the best chicken sandwich. Pick up a few of them, cut them in half, then decide with is truly the best.
6. Learn a Magic Trick or Something New
YouTube is filled with people wanting to show you how to do something. I definitely can't do even the easiest magic trick, so it would be fun to learn together as a couple. You could try learning to juggle, to draw, or even to master a new dance move! Learning together can foster a real sense of bonding and also bring out the silly side--which can be just as important.