Going on a date with your spouse is something that hasn't happened in a long time. You miss those nights where you would stare at each other for hours over a romantic dinner at the local Italian restaurant or hold hands as you strolled on the beach. Planning a date night at home can help you to reconnect.
The Benefits of At-Home Date Night
Dating is beneficial for couples because it allows them to reconnect with one another and to explore their shared interests. However, dates can also become quite expensive, and for the couple who is on a tight budget, money for entertainment may need to be limited. Dating is also difficult when couples have children. Before they are old enough to stay home alone, parents need to find babysitters. This is an expense, and parents might not be comfortable leaving their children with someone. Having a date night at home frees them of this burden.
Recreate Your Favorite Date
While trying new things like skydiving or surfing in your home won't happen, you can recreate one of your favorite outings. Perhaps you love visiting wineries to sip varietals and enjoy cheese. Instead of paying for the trip, buy a collection of your favorite wines and cheeses, and try them at home. You could also look up a menu for a restaurant that both of you enjoy; you can then work in the kitchen together to make your favorite meal, or at least your version of the meal.
Outdoor Date Nights
Even though you aren't going out in the traditional sense, you can still get outside of your house. Instead of eating dinner at the kitchen table, pack a picnic meal and sit outside under your favorite tree. For couples who love to read, take turns reading favorite passages from books as you sit outside. If movies used to be your favorite place to go for a date, set up a projection screen outside and enjoy all of your favorite flicks together. Simply spending time together outside can help you to relieve stress and anxiety of day-to-day life.
Get a Little Creative
You don't necessarily need to plan out every element of your date night. For example, host a date night the day before you go grocery shopping. Going through the cabinets to see what you can make out of the ingredients you have is always fun. Head to the craft store and purchase different materials and supplies. Putting together a scrapbook of your favorite vacation as a couple or some images of your wedding will help you to recall the good times you've had and the good times that are still to come.
Even when you can't find a babysitter or money is extremely tight, you can still plan a date night with your spouse that helps to relight the fire.
