While I love getting dressed up for a date night, sometimes you just don’t want to go out. Or maybe you can’t go out because it’s not in your budget or you can’t find a babysitter. No matter the reason for wanting an at-home date night, it’s too easy to turn your night at home into a Netflix marathon. But at-home date nights can be better than that. Keep reading for some ideas to inspire romance and fun on your next date night.
1. Have a game night
Drew and I love playing board games and card games. Our coat closet has more games than coats, and Drew added even more to the collection over Christmas. Some of our favorite two-player games right now are Fog of Love, Sushi Go!, and Careers.
2. Host a tasting party
You don’t have to go to a vineyard or distillery to taste different versions of the same drink or food. Instead, you can have a tasting party in your living room. Pick something you want to try, like whiskey, wine, beer, ice cream, or cheese. Then, choose a bunch of different options. Discuss what you like and dislike about each choice.
3. Cook together
To me, some of the best date nights revolve around food. So why not cook dinner together? What’s great about this option is that it’s easy to customize and will encourage you to try something new together. We haven’t done it in a while, but we used to make pizza together regularly.
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4. Play mixologist
Instead of heading to a bar, you can make some of your favorite cocktails (or mocktails) at home. Not only will you save money by mixing them yourselves, but you and your spouse will also learn a new skill together.
Not sure where to start? We always enjoy watching “How to Drink” on YouTube.
5. Write your bucket list
Drew and I love dreaming together and talking about what we want our future to look like. And a great way to do that is to write out a combined bucket list, including your big dreams, your goals, and your hopes. This doesn’t have to be a standalone date but can be paired with anything else on this list.
6. Have a camp out in your living room
Reconnect by unplugging (as much as possible) for the night and “camping out” in your living room. You can build a blanket fort or spread out your sleeping bags in front of the fireplace. Then, indulge in an indoor picnic and tell campfire stories by the glow of a flashlight.
7. Assemble a puzzle together
Pick out a puzzle and start putting it together. You don’t have to build it all at one time, but it’s a great low-energy activity that encourages you to spend quality time together and talk.
8. Watch your favorite childhood movies
You shouldn’t be surprised that bingeing is on this list, right? Make your own movie marathon by choosing your favorite films from when you were kids. Complete the night by making some popcorn and your favorite childhood treats.
9. Read together
When we were dating, Drew and I would lay on the couch reading together all the time. We’d rarely read the same book, but just relaxing near each other was wonderful. Sometimes, we’d read the same book, so we could talk about it, though.
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