This past year and a half has been a roller-coaster ride for most people, myself included. With everything closing down, travel restrictions, and even gathering restrictions in place, Callum and I, like many others, had to come up with fun and creative ways to enjoy at home date nights! I don’t know about you, but I know for certain that we used to spend a ton of money eating out at restaurants all the time, going to movies, breweries, coffee shops, etc., so it has been nice to reevaluate how we spent our time together before and make major adjustments. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely love seeing new movies in theaters and trying out the new beers at our favorite breweries, but its also nice to feel like we don’t have to go somewhere to enjoy quality time with one another.
I look forward to our at home date nights just as much as traditional ones we enjoyed before. So much, in fact, that I have gathered a list of our favorite ones to share with you in hopes of inspiring a fun (and affordable) night with your love!
Projector Movie Night
For Father’s Day this year, Callum wanted a projector and projector screen so we could have at home movie nights, how could I say no?! We didn’t put too much thought into it, and purchased this one from Amazon for under $90, it even comes with a screen! We have watched every single one of the Harry Potter Movies so far, along with many other shows and movies, and are completely in love with it! *Disclaimer* unfortunately, in order to watch movies or shows on a projector, you’ll have to have a Roku, Apple TV or something similar. Projectors block airdropping of content from devices due to copyright reasons.
Paint Night (or other crafts)
You don’t have to be artistic to enjoy working on something crafty! Pull up a YouTube video where they walk you through painting a beautiful sunset, a beach, trees, etc. and have some fun! It doesn’t have to be a competition (or maybe…. it can?!) just enjoy yourself! Another fun idea, now that the weather is beginning to get chilly, is to purchase a few DIY plaster pumpkins, like this one that is under $12, and paint them! We did this a few years ago and put them back out every fall!
Game Night
Card games, board games, video games, whatever it is you enjoy, have a night full of friendly competition! (I’m still working on that ‘friendly’ part, but hey! At least I’m working on it, right?!) We have a custom Aggravation board that we love playing, but lately we have been (very competitively) playing rummy! We are keeping score in a notebook, I plan to fill the entire notebook. And win. I plan to win.
Wine Tasting
Set up a charcuterie board topped with your favorites and grab a couple bottles of wine you’ve never had before! We have been ordering from Winc once a month and trying out all kinds of new wines! Our current favorite is the Rosa Obscura red blend! Delicious! Click here if you want $30 off your first order from Winc!
*Pro tip if you don’t want to make an entire charcuterie board, try out baguette crackers topped with brie and a blueberry compote, it is my favorite snack to have with wine!*
*If you don’t like wine, you could try a beer tasting*
Design a Vision Board
Using a big poster board, some glue sticks and magazine clippings, design a ‘Vision Board’ for your relationship for the following year. Add goals you have as individuals as well as couple (or family) goals. Make sure to add lots of encouraging words and quotes! This is particularly a good idea to try out right before the new year! Visualize how you would like the new year to look for you and your family! Highly recommend!
Cook a Meal Together
I will be the first to admit that I used to be awful at making food at home. I worked at a restaurant and would eat most meals there or at other restaurants. It wasn’t until a little over a year ago that was started consistently grocery shopping and making every single meal at home. I hadn’t realized how expensive it was, until I stopped going out to eat! Scroll through Pinterest, flip through a cook book, and stop on a recipe you’ve never tried before. Make a date night out of preparing, cooking and enjoying a new meal together.
You could also do this with a fun dessert, such as a pie or even something fancier, with a fun new cocktail or mocktail (fake cocktail), anything that you’ve never tried!
Have a Picnic
Depending on the weather, you could do this outside on your lawn or porch, or in the middle of your living room! For Christmas last year, Callum and I got a wonderful present from my Aunt Terrie, a picnic backpack! I had never seen one before, but was instantly excited to use it! It came with utensils, plates, a small cutting board, plastic cups, napkins, a spot for a bottle of wine, an insulated section for your food, and even a blanket! Pack up a picnic basket, cooler or picnic backpack, and head outside (or to your living room). While this sounds so simple, it is a great way to just slow down, and really appreciate your partner and the beautiful sounds of nature.
Have a Spa Experience
Unwind from a long week by enjoying an at home spa experience with your partner. Put on a spa style robe, some cozy slippers, diffuse some of your favorite essential oils, dim the lights and light non-toxic candles (beeswax candles are usually the safest choice). Enjoy a night filled with face masks, massages, a bath and some calming music. Get the full spa experience in the comfort of your own home, without the big expense.
I understand that everyone has a different idea or vision of what they see as a date night, but these are some of our favorite at home date night ideas. If there are a lot of restrictions or mandates in place where you live, or anything that prevents you from getting out, I hope something on this list works for you and your partner!
Also, you don’t need to have a significant other to enjoy these ideas! Grab a friend or even just yourself, and just have fun!
*affiliate links* meaning that if you purchase something through one of the links I have provided, I may receive a small commission. You will not be charged more for your purchase, you will just be helping me run this blog. Wouldn’t you rather I get the commission rather than Google?
Love your post 💕