We get it, staying home for date night isn’t quite the same as calling a sitter and leaving the house. But just because you aren’t able to paint the town red doesn’t mean you can’t have a meaningful connection right at home. Whether you’re feeling competitive or creative, bookish or culinary, we’ve rounded up a list of at-home date night ideas that’ll inspire conversation, camaraderie, and maybe even a dance party or two.
30 Creative Date Night Ideas to Try At Home
We all have it rough these days with a global pandemic across the world forcing people to stay indoors. Couples are especially feeling it in various ways. For one, there isn’t much time to be away from one another, but also there is another growing issue: date night.
Date nights are special as they’re an opportunity to show appreciation and take a break from things. They’re something beyond ordering take-out or going to a nice place and having dinner. They’re bold and creative and can rekindle passion for one another. But there is only so much that a couple can do for date nights before they get repetitive and that magic starts to disappear. On top of the restrictions of possibly kids, a busy schedule, and this pandemic amongst other things, you’ve probably exhausted every idea that you can think of.
In light of that, I wanted to give you some date night ideas that you might not have tried. These are perfect to try at home making it optimal for during the pandemic, but also after it too. Beyond that, these can save you a tonne of money and encourages you to be more resourceful with what you have, something I’m sure this pandemic has encouraged us all to do.
Movie Night With A Twist
Debating over what to watch is especially tough these days, however there are some ways that you can make this more exciting. Some ideas are making the movies more thematic like watching lots of holiday movies around Christmas time or horror films around Halloween. Here’re some ideas for you: The Best Date Night Movies That Guys Will Enjoy Just As Much As Girls
Some other ideas are closing your eyes and watch whatever you land on or flipping a coin to decide what to watch.
Cooking Night
Whether one or both of you have some cooking skills, there are all kinds of dishes that the two of you can make. You can stick to making favourite dishes, or maybe you can tackle a larger recipe together.
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There are a tonne of recipes online to try out, however you can also look into owning a cookbook yourself. For starters, try out these recipes:
Watch your favorite childhood movies
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Make your own move mini marathon by each choosing your favorite film from when you were kids to watch together. Make a throwback snack (like hot popcorn mixed with chocolate chips) and snuggle in for the night.
Have breakfast in bed together
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Usually, one person makes the other breakfast in bed, but there’s no reason both of you can’t curl up under the covers with coffee, pastries, and eggs.
Start a book club for two
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Dive into the same book and you’ll be able to discuss it with each other as you make your way through the chapters. Or, you can each choose your own and simply enjoy the relaxation that comes with reading near your favorite person while they do the same.
Scrapbook Assembly Line
This at-home date night idea also calls for advance notice: print out all your favorite photos from your last anniversary trip or that big family summer vacation or take a stroll down memory lane with images from your dating years. Make it as elaborate or simple as you want with photo mounting squares, patterned paper, captions, or themed stickers, and enjoy each other’s company as you relive your adventures and admit that cutting and gluing aren’t just for preschool.
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Chances are, you two have friends who are in the same boat. The good news? You don’t have to suffer alone! Schedule a Zoom or Facetime double date, setting a time for some shared screen time to commiserate and laugh together over the season you’re currently living in. Each couple can prepare their meals at home, uncork a bottle of their favorite, and share an hour or two in conversation. Of course, it’s not as great as seeing your friends in person, but it’s the next best thing.
Have an Indoor or Outdoor Picnic
If the thought of turning on the oven is way too daunting, just open the cheese drawer and the pantry, and spread out a cozy blanket. You can quickly turn your living room into a prime picnic spot with a stellar appetizer spread (some good chocolate also wouldn’t hurt), a few pillows and those champagne flutes you swore you’d use more often.
If these at-home date night ideas aren’t what you’re looking for, order something unique! There are several “date in a box” subscription products on the market right now, including DateBox, a curated box of goodies that provides a unique date experience right in the comfort of your home. Packed neatly in a box that ships right to your door, Datebox is the ideal way to try new date ideas without ever leaving the house (which is perfect when your little ones are sleeping and you can’t go anywhere). An example DateBox might include an “indoor camping adventure,” complete with a s’mores kit, a pour-your-own-pine-scented candle-making set, a deck of cards with game suggestions, and even a playlist suited for romance in the great outdoors.
Pick a New TV Show to Watch
When all else fails, pick a new must-watch TV show to turn on after the kids go to bed. After all, there’s only so much Bluey you can watch without needing a break.
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