Typical at-home date nights usually involve pajamas and some YouTube comedy, so I wanted to spice things up a bit. Like many married couples with kids, we want to date each other, but money and time often stand in our way of going out on dates. In order to make regular date nights a reality, I knew I needed to alternate between dates out on the town and at-home date nights.
Could at-home date nights really be fun and special without seeming like an ordinary night in? To my joy, YES!
Once I established a few guidelines for dates at home, it’s become simple to pull off and is something we look forward to each time. In order to make them more than average, I decided to spice up at-home date nights more often.
After years of implementing date nights at home, I am excited to share even more ideas for making them fun! I hope they bless your marriage.
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The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
Devotedly: The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot
The Power of a Praying® Wife Planner
The Power of a Praying® Wife
Let Me Be a Woman
Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control
6 Ways To Spice Up At-Home Date Nights
Have a plan.
With life being fast-paced and hectic, if I was left to wing our dates at home, we would end up not doing it at all! I pick a theme each month, and try to plan everything – food, activity, and drink around the theme.
Schedule for a time when there are no kids around.
Our kids are still young enough, so we pick a night on the calendar (yes, write it on the calendar so you don’t forget!) and send them to their bedrooms early. I keep their dinner easy and a family favorite so there are no battles.
If your kids are older, you’ll want to schedule a time when they are not home. You will appreciate privacy and no interruptions!
Keep the food and clean up simple.
Unless the theme of your date involves cooking a large meal, I would steer away from spending too much time in the kitchen.
We have done an Italian theme date, but I made the lasagna from scratch ahead of time, as well as the sides, and bought the dessert beforehand.
If the budget allows, we try to order take-out so we both can have a break.
You may want to consider using paper plates so clean up is minimal. If not, fight your inner neat-freak and leave all the dishes in the sink until the date is over {unless you can convince him to help, too!}
Dress up.
Since I want our in-home dates to be just as special and memorable as a night on the town, I always fix my hair and clothes. He changes, too, and this way we are both feeling and smelling our best.
Be creative with the theme.
What I love about our at-home date nights, is you can be as silly and daring as you want to be! Skies the limit since you are in the comfort of your own home with your love!
Some ideas for fabulous at-home dates include:
- Italian night
- Chocolate lovers
- A scavenger hunt
- Camping in the backyard
- A night at the spa
- Game night
- Movie night or Netflix marathon night
- A walk down memory lane {look through old photo albums, watch old home movies, and revisit old memories}
- Recreate your first date or scene of proposal
- Cooking theme {in this case, it’s great to cook a big meal! Try something you have never made before.}
- Comedy night {watch your favorite comedian and have a laugh}
Read these other articles to find other exciting at home date ideas and even free printables that go along with the theme!
How To Date Your Spouse with FREE printable
50 Date Ideas from frugal to fancy with FREE printable
13 Ways to strengthen your marriage with FREE printable
Have fun!
The whole point of an at-home date is to reconnect with your spouse, enjoy the company, and set aside the stress of every day. Learn to enjoy each other again and fall in love all over again!
Happy planning and dating!
Do you do at-home date nights? What’s your favorite way to date your mate at home?
FREE Date Night Pack (for going out or staying in)!
Sometimes we need to spice things up! Get your FREE Date Night Planning Pack to help bring some romance back to your marriage.
Are you looking for something to spice up your date nights with your spouse?
What will you receive in this printable pack?
- A Guided Date Planner
- Baby Sitter Notes
- “Save the Date” Invitations
- Love Notes
- Date Night Coupons
Use the guided date planner to help you brainstorm everything from your date night plans, reservations, menu plan, shopping lists, themes, and/or surprises. Invite your husband to your special date night with the design of your choice. Fill out the date night coupons for a little extra special surprise.
Don’t forget to fill out the “Babysitter Notes” so that no stone is left unturned! Have everything right there for the baby sitter to pivot from, emergency contacts, menu plan, activities for the kids, their bedtime routines. Knowing your children are well taken care of while you are out on a date goes a long way to help you relax and focus on each other.
Keep the romance alive during the week by sneaking a little note on his pillow or in his lunch box from our love notes collection.
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