Going out for a date is always fun but that does not mean you can’t have a date night in too! Whether you decide to plan an at home date every week, every two weeks, or once a month, here are some tips on how to do a date night in.
How To Do A Date Night In
- Set the date.
The date in this case meaning a day on the calendar. For some the anticipation of the date adds to the overall enjoyment of the date itself. It gives you something to look forward to. You might even enjoy planning on what you are going to make or order in for the night. With this said, if you are not a big planner, you can always put a date together last minute (it’s generally how I roll).
- Set the mood.
The ambiance sets the mood for your date. I think it’s the most important part! … well besides the quality time with each other of course. Your surroundings and what you see and hear affect how you feel. Turn your environment/table/kitchen into a place you want to stay awhile. Maybe picture your ideal date night out and try to recreate some of the elements at home. Think dim lighting, candle light, a set table, and themed or romantic dinner music.
Set the mood checklist:
- Dim the lights. – Unless you think super bright restaurants are romantic, dim the lights way down. If you don’t have dimmers, maybe turn off all of the overhead lighting and just leave a lamp on. Otherwise candlelight can even provide all the light you need.
- Light or turn on the candles. – Candlelight is so romantic. I use a mix of beeswax tealights, beeswax candlesticks and battery operated lights.
- Put on themed and/or romantic music. – Turn some music on in the background to help set the tone. If you don’t know where to start – Mediterranean Nights Radio on Pandora is a sexier station.😉 I often times pick themed music to go with whatever we are eating. If we order in Indian, I find an Indian station, if you make Italian, put on soft Italian dinner music.
- Set the table.- Pick any table you want to set your dinner up at and really set that table for a vibe! Whether it’s using your nice glasses, a runner or a table cloth, cloth napkins, candlestick holders, flowers or greens, a full place setting, or a large appetizer platter for snack type foods, a set-up space will enhance the mood. You can’t go wrong with how you do it. Just set it up to somewhat match your meal. I like setting up our coffee table and sitting on the floor. Something about it always seems extra fun. Sitting on pillows or small ottomans makes it a tad bit more comfortable.
- Make a delicious dinner or pick up take out.
If you like to cook, make a delicious feast together, it can add to the whole date night experience. Otherwise a large appetizer platter and a bottle of wine can make the best date night food too. Most of our date nights actually include picking up to-go food. Since we make our own meals all of the time, eating to-go food is fun for us. I set up the ambiance and my husband picks up the food. Picking up saves $ on delivery fees and tipping! That’s another thing, date nights at home usually saves you money compared to going out.
- Enjoy your quality time together.
You may have zero kids and see each other all of the time, but that does not mean you are always spending quality time together. When you put a pause on everything else and focus on each other you usually connect more and have deeper conversations. Although watching a movie is fun and a can be a great way to end a date night, don’t turn it on right away or at all. Enjoy your conversation, meal, the ambiance, the music and each other first!
I hope you enjoy your next date night in!! xx Riane
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