Any relationship expert will tell you about the importance of continuing to date your spouse. Doing so helps keep the spark alive in the relationship, and helps you to fall in love over and over again. You’ve probably heard that you should try to set aside a regular date night to reconnect. However for many couples, this is something easier said than done.
With a little creativity, turning your home into the first setting for date night is easy, fun and cheap. Some of your favorite date night activities can be adapted to happen right in your living room. They don’t take a lot of planning to execute, yet have a huge impact on the strength of your relationship.
Here are seven fun date ideas you can have right at home.
Classic dinner and movie
Take a walk down memory lane by recreating some of your first dates together. The most classic early date is dinner and a movie. Make it extra special by making the dinner elegant. You can dress up in something nice even if you aren’t leaving the house. Set the mood by breaking out your nicest china and setting the table with candles. Add fancy piano music while you eat your favorite meal together. Have a movie already picked out, and cuddle on the couch in comfort after you eat. The best part is that you don’t even have to drive home afterwards.
Paint night
You have probably heard of local paint nights, where a teacher leads a class on how to paint a specific image. However, you don’t have to go out to do this. Instead, stay home and breakout your favorite art supplies. Grab two canvases, some paint brushes and paint and get to town. There are thousands of videos online of artists giving step-by-step instructions on how to paint different pieces of art. Find an image that you both like and pause the video when you need. Don’t forget to bring out the wine and snacks while you wait for your masterpieces to dry.
Picnic
If it’s warm enough, take your date to your balcony or backyard. Spend time packing your basket together with yummy lunch items such as sandwiches, fruit, chips and a bottle of wine. Choose a large blanket and spread it out in the warm sun. Don’t forget to pack napkins and utensils. You can even bring a portable speaker to set the mood. Afterwards, take a walk together around the neighborhood to continue to enjoy your date. If it’s chilly, you can even keep your picnic in your living room. Put the television on the nature channel and you’ll feel like you’re back in summer.
Tasting party
Are you both huge wine lovers and foodies? This might be the home date for you. Buy a few different types of wine and create an at-home tasting. Sip them and savor the different flavors, and rate and discuss your favorites. You can add food by selecting different cheeses, sausages, or cured meats and sampling the fare. Fan of going to local breweries? Create the same concept but with local beers. Pick up ones neither of you have tasted before in your area. Choose different nuts and pub foods to sample along with them. Play your favorite music in the background to set the ambiance.
Stay-in vacation
Have you ever wanted to go to Italy, but haven’t been able to do so? Create a date night surrounding an Italian theme. You could eat spaghetti and gelato, and then watch a movie like “The Italian Job.” This is a fun way to experience the culture of the country you two wish you could visit together. Wish you could visit Mexico? Search online for a free salsa lesson video and dance the night away. To feel fully immersed, pick out outfits that also represent the country and add decorations to your home. For example, you can print out photos of the beach and wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt for a fun Caribbean vibe.
Sports game
Everyone enjoys going to a fun sports game, so why not make a date out of it? Instead of throwing a huge party for all your friends, choose one game that you two will spend only watching together. Dress up in your favorite sports gear and don’t be afraid to put a little war paint on your face. Eat nachos, hotdogs, popcorn and all of your favorite stadium goodies. Cheer loud and proud for your favorite team! Really get into it and pretend that you are actually there. Place bets on who will win the game, and choose a fun prize for the winner.
At-home concert
Concerts can be expensive, crowded, and hours away. Consider bringing the concert to you. With a little digging, you can find full length videos of your favorite band’s concerts online. Clear out space in your living room so you have room to dance and sing together. Don’t be afraid to get loose, jam out and turn the music up high. Dance like no one is watching! For even more fun, consider adding karaoke. Find songs with lyrics on YouTube and sing your heart out. This is a fun way to giggle and smile together for hours. Who is the better singer?
You don’t have to go out on the town on expensive dates to keep the romance alive. Avoid the crazy hustle and bustle of today’s society by spending your dates at home. This gives you complete control of the dates, and you can create them however you want to. Get creative and enjoy the time together.