Date Your Spouse: Tips for a Date Night at Home When You Can’t Go Out

This post was written by my friend Wendy Woerner.

Recently, I was sick. I had a bit of a cough, the aches, and generally had not been feeling well for about a week. My husband and I had plans to go out for a nice dinner with some dear friends on a Sunday night, which is our usual date night, but since I still was not well we cancelled our plans to go out.

However, that didn’t mean we were going to give up our special evening together. In lieu of our plans, my husband went all out and planned a wonderful date night “in” for us. He prepared a special meal, set up music and a dining space in our basement, planned all activities, and even bought a wonderful dessert for us to enjoy together.

First we enjoyed favorite 80’s tunes while we ate and conversed. My husband prepared dinner–sausage and peppers alongside a warm spinach salad, both of which I can fully enjoy with my wheat-free lifestyle.

Next we played video games…yes, Gran Turismo on the big screen! It took a bit of time to get the hang of things again, but we sure did enjoy some good belly laughs while we re-learned our “moves!”

Then we watched a movie.

Last (well, actually mid-way through) we grabbed our dessert and some hot coffee.

We had such a fun night! It was cheap, too, really only costing us the extra money that my husband spent on the special meal ingredients.

Sometimes we tend to believe that in order to spend quality time together as a married couple, we must go away for the evening or a weekend. While it is wonderful to do those things, and certainly will serve to enhance your marriage, it is not always necessary. A successful date night can happen at home just as easily with a bit of planning!

Prepare for your date night at home.

Dress up a little bit.

Even though you aren’t going out and about it is nice to dress up a little bit for date night and sets the evening apart. Put on some makeup, fix your hair, and change into date night clothing instead of mommy loungewear.

Shop ahead.

Date night at home often means special food ingredients. Although that’s not purely necessary, it’s fun to add a little something special to share. Make sure you have all the ingredients you need to make that date night meal or dessert a success.

Put the kids to bed early.

For this one night a week or one night a month, consider putting your kids to bed a little early so you and your spouse have more time alone. If you have older children, they can be responsible for putting little ones to bed and can make it fun.

Trade date night babysitting.

If you have grandparents or aunts/uncles nearby, you might ask them to host a special evening for your kids at their house — you could even provide a movie rental, popcorn bag, or batch of brownies. If your siblings have kids, consider trading date night babysitting back and forth every other week.

Be flexible.

When plans fall through, don’t let it derail you. You may need to move some things around but you can still enjoy a wonderful evening together with your love.

Be determined.

Don’t give up! The need to change times, nights, or even cancel an evening out does not have to spell disaster for your date night. Being unable to go out shouldn’t keep you from enjoying yourselves. Think a bit and come up with a fun way to spend time together at home.

Think outside the box.

Though my husband and I do enjoy watching movies together, it isn’t your only option for a date night in. You can enjoy a picnic in the basement while taking turns reading aloud a favorite book of poetry or a gripping novel. Maybe you would like to set up a dinner and dancing evening? Turn the lights down low, light a few candles, and turn on some romantic music. Enjoy holding one another, chatting about your day, and simply being alone together.

Have you planned a successful date night at home?