The perfect date night at home is possible. And it's easier than you might think! You don't need to leave the house in order to spend quality alone time with your spouse. Especially if you follow my tips.
These date night ideas are sponsored by Riunite.
A Perfect Date Night In
Change it Up
Most of our date nights include going out to dinner and coming right home. That's not all that exciting.
Don't get me wrong, having someone else cook dinner for me is AMAZING! but it doesn't necessarily make for a spectacular date night. Change things up!
Even though we have dinner at home just about every night, you can do it in a different way. Make things out of the ordinary by setting up a simple picnic just for the two of you.
Taking a date outside is immediately more interesting.
Take a minute to think about what you usually do for your date nights and then do something totally different!
Just Chill
Don't even think about planning date night if you have to go somewhere after (like picking up a kid from a friend's house) or if you have an early soccer game the next morning.
Take your time, hang out and enjoy each other's company.
Of course, depending on the ages and temperament of your kids, this could be an hour or more (or less - hang in there, age 7 is when we really turned a corner...).
Don't worry about the dishes. They'll still be there in the morning. Just relax with your husband and enjoy your time together.
Focus your energy on what is happening in the moment. Block out all the other distractions.
Favorite Snacks
As much as I try to get my kids to think that cheese and crackers can actually be dinner (why do they resist it so much?!) my husband and I are totally on board (pun not intended).
Grab your favorite foods or splurge on those things that you've been wanting to try.
A few delicious kinds of cheese, your favorite carbs, and delicious deli meats totally make for a good date night dinner. A good snack board is a perfect idea.
There is no cooking involved and it can be as elaborate or as simple as you'd like it to be.
If you prefer to have a meal, browse these recipes to make for date night.
A Different Wine
We usually grab for a sauvignon blanc with dinner, but I think this Riunite Lambrusco is the perfect wine for summer. Plus it pairs perfectly with oily meats (well, most things for that matter - it's super versatile!).
I like to choose a bottle that is not our usual go-to. Going with a different bottle of wine is another way to keep things interesting.
I serve my Lambrusco slightly chilled since it's the tiniest bit effervescent. This is what makes it so great for eating with Italian meats!
It's almost like a palate cleanser in a way. It's slightly sweet and fruity while still being crisp. Plus how cute are these individual bottles?
These couldn't be more perfect for picnics!
Kid Adjacent Date Nights
Set the kids up inside the house with a movie and their own dinner! If your kids are younger, consider getting an older neighbor kid to keep their eyes on them inside.
For us, our kids are old enough to be in the living room while we are outside. This takes so much pressure off in terms of finding a babysitter or worrying about what time you'll get back in case your dinner is running long.
You know your kids best so if having them this close would stress you out, see if you can do a date night swap with one of their friend's families!
Everyone could use a date night!
Set the Mood
Bring out a small speaker and your favorite playlist. Bring out a cool blanket and maybe even some throw pillows so you can get cozy and comfortable.
Use a cool cutting board and real glassware. Take a minute to set the mood and make it feel special.
It may seem like a bit of work to lug this stuff outside, but it will make the evening really enjoyable and one that you'll want to recreate again soon.
Do you have regular date nights at home? What do you do to make things feel special?
These home date night ideas are super simple and easy for you to recreate too!
Why we like Riunite
Riunite Lambrusco is America's #1 most imported red wine and a perfect, refreshing wine for summer (and beyond!).
This wine is a crowd-pleaser and will appeal to a variety of palates including people who may not usually be drawn to red wine, like me!
So while it's perfect for your at-home date night, it's also great for parties!
Banfi Wines, the importer of Riunite (and many other fine wine brands) is a long time partner of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). They donate money every year to this amazing program.
TAPS provides support, via numerous channels, to those who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Some of the help they are able to provide is through grief and trauma resources, Good Grief camps for children, casualty care casework assistance, and helplines.
Related Posts
- These Date Night Ideas for Homebodies are perfect for couples that are more comfortable at home.
- Serve these yummy Popcorn Seasoning Recipes for a Movie Date Night.
- These Easy Date Night Dinner Ideas to Make at Home are simple and scrumptious.
- Easy Date Night Ideas can actually make your relationship stronger!
angie says
we had our own get away as well recently. Being married for 30 years it is still nice to get away just me and him for a little date night. Your date night sounded very nice as well
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Brandy says
This is such a great post, I love having date nights at home with my other half. We will even have candles lit for dinner nights when the kids are away at their Dads or perhaps just on nights when I feed the kids but we eat a bit later (a rare occurrence) .... we enjoy dating each other still which is important!
Tonya Wilhelm says
Great idea. It's fun just to be home with loved ones. I love the idea of changing it up. It's easy to get in a rut.
Heather Johnson says
I am so tired all the time from chasing my kiddos around. Staying at home for a nice quiet date sounds perfect.