In the early days of a relationship, everything is new and it’s great fun spending time getting to know one another. And every time you meet, it’s like date night (at least for the first few weeks). For many couples, having a dedicated date night is a way of keeping that spark alive and recreating those magic moments you first spent together before all the stresses of life came before you both – i.e. work, kids, school, etc.
During summer, there are loads of things to do on a date night, as you have the beautiful weather behind you. There’s picnicing, boating, or even just walking in the hills somewhere. But, with the nights quickly drawing in and the temperatures starting to take a dip, sometimes it’s nice just to sit back and chill in an evening. While you may need a little more creativity to pull off something as nice as sailing along the river under the stars, it can be done.
Just take a look at some of these fabulous ideas for creating the perfect night in:
#1 – Eat Takeaway By Candlelight
Just because you’re not in a swanky restaurant, doesn’t mean you can’t create a little romantic ambience. Eating at home is much more intimate as there’s no nosy waiter interrupting your deep and meaningful conversation and no screaming kids wreaking havoc in the background. Simply set the table with a candle or two in the centre. Or, for extra coziness, why not scatter some cushions on the floor and eat at coffee table? Add a little romantic music, and you have the perfect scene.
#2 – Have a Movie Marathon
Who doesn’t like to sit back and relax watching all their favourite films stuffing their face with delicious goodies? Why not choose some films together and come up with a play list for the night? You could even make it a themed night for something a little different. For example, if watching only movies made in the USA then only American style snacks are allowed. If it’s a French film, only the finest French cuisine should be served. Most people these days have services such as Freeview or Freesat which will give you access you a whole library of movies. If not, Amazon Prime, Netflix, or Now TV are also good choices, but are all paid services.
#3 – Picnic at Home
Recreating your own little picnic at home is something that can be done all year round and is a great way to spend some time together. You can still have all the same treats you’d have at an outdoor picnic, just without the bugs, wind, and rain. Lay out a blanket for you both to sit, put on some chillaxing tunes, and let your imaginations run wild.
#4 – Create a Couples Bucket List
While sat at home simply enjoying spending time together, why not look to the future and create a couple’s bucket list for you both to work your way through. This could include things like all the places you want to go, experiences you want to try, even new foods you want to taste. You could even go one step further and set a date in which to do them. That way you’ve always got something to look forward to.
#5 – Have a Fight (a good one through)
Ok, it may sound a little strange, but having a fun battle such as water gun fight, whipped cream fight, pillow fight, or food fight can be a whole lot of harmless fun. It’s also a great way to flirt and get your partner in the mood. To add a little extra spice (provided the house is empty), why not do it naked or set rewards for each other for whoever wins?
#6 – Pamper Yourselves
What’s not to love about sitting back and relaxing while being pampered by your loved one? Recreate your own spa date at home. Bring out the fluffy white towels and bathrobes and live life like a king (or queen). Maybe start with a nice hot, steaming bubble bath for two, followed by a deep and sensual couple’s massage. Then, once your bodies are feeling nice and soft, why not slather on some soothing face masks to finish it all off?
#7 – Bake Something Sweet Together
Another great way to create memories while at home is to do some baking together. While cooking a whole meal together might seem a little long-winded, making a dessert is much more fun, and much tastier! So find a dessert you both love, put on a little background music, and bake to your heart’s content.