As busy parents with a small child, my husband and I sometimes struggle with making time to plan a special date night. While we haven’t been out on a date night since becoming parents, we do strive to have a date night at home on a fairly regular basis.
After a long, exhausting week trying the come up with something creative to do can be difficult. Therefore, I am often on the look-out for creative ideas can be done at home in the evening after our daughter is all tucked in for the night.
These are the top ten ideas that I either found or came up with…
1. Candlelight Dinner. Whether you cook a meal together or get carry-out to bring home, create a romantic atmosphere with a tablecloth, formal place settings and glowing candles. Go all out and use the good silverware and china if you have them.
2. Coffee in the Kitchen. Brew up two steamy cups of joe (or hot chocolate or tea, if you prefer) and pretend that your kitchen is a coffeehouse. Enjoy a nice conversation or read some poetry together.
3. Movie Night. Pop a big batch of popcorn and snuggle on the couch while watching a favorite flick or new release. For some added fun, determine what you will watch in advance and buy food that relates to the film. Or look up movie-related trivia and quiz each other.
4. Snacks & Games. Whip up a batch of homemade trail mix or another tasty snack and play a game. Whether you choose a popular board game or team up for a Rock Band tour on the PS3, have fun with a little competition.
5. Spa Treatment. As an alternative to going to an expensive spa, soak in the tub in your own home and give each other a massage. You can use a nice scented candle and buy some fancy massage oil to make it extra special.
6. Picnic. Lay a blanket down in the living room floor and enjoy finger food like cheese, crackers or bread, and fruit. Add a nice glass of wine (or sparkling grape juice) for a romantic touch. Or if it’s nice outside, take the picnic to your backyard.
7. Delicious Dessert. Whip up a tasty treat and enjoy it with each other. You can even eat it right out of the pan, if you want!
8. Romantic Reminiscing. Look at pictures from your dating year(s) or honeymoon. Re-create one of the dates or activities the best you can at home.
9. Dress Up & Dance. Pull out your formals and put on your dancing shoes! Rent a dance instruction DVD (or find one on Netflix) and dance the night away.
10. Love Nest. Create a cozy, romantic atmosphere with silky sheets, fluffy pillows, scented candles, and soft music. Put on something pretty and spend some quality time with each other.
Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter what you do during your date night. The main thing is that you have one. Setting aside an evening to spend time to connect as a couple is so important. I hope at least one of these ideas will inspire you to plan a special night with your spouse in the near future.
How do you enjoy spending time with your spouse at home?
This post is gratefully shared with some of these link-ups.
We do the candlelight dinner thing, although not necessarily with candlelight. Sometimes, we just really want to have a meal without children falling out of chairs, plates dropping, and without trying to convince our kids that they will not die if they eat a piece of chicken.
It’s so nice to be able to have an actual conversation!
Elizabeth@Warrior Wives recently posted..Let’s Chat: The Working Wife
It’s amazing how much of a difference the absence of kids makes, isn’t it? lol
As usual, creative and useful! We’ve done most of these. I’ll have to remember the ones we haven’t. In the summertime, we like to have a private campfire after the kids are in bed.
That’s a fun idea, Tereasa. Thanks for sharing!
What a neat idea to rent a dance instruction DVD – that one is new for us, and could be so much fun! Thank you!
Lori @ Encourage Your Spouse recently posted..Encouraging Words: Invite
Dancing at home is so much cheaper than taking dance lessons. And you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing your mistakes that way too!
I love #2 and #9! So fun!
Thanks, friend!
Great ideas! I just posted about some of the board games my hubby and I like to play for at-home date nights.
I like the picnic idea.
Bonnie Way recently posted..Old Navy Kids & Baby Sale
I will have to check out your post, Bonnie. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing some fun ideas! Just pinned and would love for you to share on our 14 days of Busy Mamas Dating their Husbands Blog Hop! Here’s the link http://www.theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2013/02/25-ways-to-say-i-love-you-to-your.html
Kim @ The Educators’ Spin On It recently posted..Are you Pinterest Savvy? Simple Steps to Building Pinterest Boards that work for you!
Glad you enjoyed the post, Kim. Thanks for pinning and for the link-up invite!
These are great ideas! I’m sorry I’m so late on commenting, Jenni, but I did visit earlier and will be highlighting your helpful post on my blog for Wedded Wednesday tomorrow. Hope you join us again!
Thank you so much, Beth!
These are great ideas! Numbers 2 and 6 are hubby and I’s personal faves
Thanks for sharing this at Matrimonial Monday, I am featuring it next week!
Thank you so much, Kenrda!
Congratulations on being featured on Matrimonial Mondays! I am a new follower.
My husband and I are going on a “date” Thursday. He started college last semester and I am finally getting the nickel tour. Then I am taking him to the local coffeehouse afterwards. WOOHOO! :O)
LuAnn Braley recently posted..Proverbs 31: 16-17
Sounds like fun, LuAnn! Thanks for the follow. I look forward to getting to know you better in the future.
A friend linked me to your website. Thnx for the details.
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