9 Stay-at-Home Date Night Ideas
Perhaps it’s a cold and rainy night. Maybe the both of you simply want to stay in your pajamas all day. Whatever your reason for doing so, stay-at-home dates can be just as much fun as a normal date. All it takes is a little creativity to make the experience romantic and memorable.
Here are nine stay-at-home date night ideas.
1. Cook Together
There is something about cooking as a couple that makes an otherwise tedious chore, fun and enjoyable. Preparing a complete meal together is a great way to spend a stay-at-home date night. Mind you, we’re not suggesting preparing a box of mac and cheese or throwing some frozen burritos in the microwave. We’re talking about something more complex — something that will involve the both of you in the process. Think of at least three courses — a salad, main course, and dessert.
Don’t forget to set the table for a candlelit setting. By the time you reach dessert, you may both be ready to move on to yet another “type” of dessert.
2. Netflix and Chill
Yes, this is the default option for stay-at-home date nights — so much so, that it is officially a cliche. However, if you haven’t spent a night like this in a while, it merits a revisit. Just remember, “chill” can be interpreted any way your little heart desires.
3. Tasting Night
Why not gather together a wide selection of beer, tequilas, vodkas, whiskeys — even homemade moonshine if your local ordinances don’t prohibit it — or any other type of adult beverage that the both of you enjoy and have a tasting night at home. Pace out the tasting so you can appreciate the different nuance of each sample — keep yourself in that fun and airy buzz zone without passing out on your partner’s lap. You won’t have to worry about driving home and things should take on a pace all of their own.
4. Game Night
Games aren’t just for larger groups of people. They can be uniquely enjoyable when only two people are involved. Of course, it is highly suggested that you add your own “spin” to the classics. “Strip” anything (strip poker, strip Yahtzee, heck, even strip Battleship) is always certain to lead to a happy conclusion to the evening.
5. Indoor Picnic
Unlike the traditional romantic dinner at home, an indoor picnic is more laid back and requires less stress to setup. As a matter of fact, one can be started with almost no advance warning — perfect if weather ruined your more formal plans. Also, being indoors, it eliminates the danger posed by fedora-wearing bears trying to steal your picnic basket.
All it takes is an empty space on the floor, a comfy blanket or rug, and a little imagination. In order to set the right mood for the indoor picnic, try to go to the kitchen only once. Bring everything that you will need to your cozy spot on the floor. Use an actual picnic basket if that helps gather all of your goodies together. Don’t forget to bring some wine. If you have a fireplace, get that going — set some music and you’re all set. You’ll be surprised how something so simple in such a routine setting will be so special.
6. Adult Slumber Party
No, this is not the plot of some 1980s or 90s porn movie, we are referring to a genuine slumber party with all the trimmings — with the only two guests being your significant other and yourself.
The whole night would consist of finger foods, pizza, telling stories, watching movies, and yes — feeling free to jump on the bed, make pillow and cushion forts, etc. You will be amazed how cutting loose of your adult inhibitions will give the both of you a refreshing night to remember.
Oh, by the way, unlike the slumber parties of your childhood, the pajamas that you wear can be a heck of a lot more risque than your flannel “Rugrats” onesie.
7. Backyard Camping
Think of it — a night under the stars. A novel and romantic way to spend a stay-at-home date night. It’s also a convenient excuse to finally put to use all of that camping equipment gathering dust in the garage. More importantly, all of this can take place just a few yards from hot running water and a flushable toilet. Seriously though, a backyard camping night can be very romantic.
8. Memory Lane Night
We spend a lifetime capturing our memories on photos and videos, but more often than not, we never do anything with them. They just lay around in old memory cards, hard drives, albums, and boxes. Every now and then you should put them to good use. An excellent way is to use them as the main attraction for a “stroll down memory lane” stay-at-home date night.
If you’re married, this is the time to take out the wedding video andassorted family albums. If you are just dating, bring both of your old family albums together along with the endless gigabytes of more recent photos. There is something very intimate and quite bonding when you let someone else share in your memories — from childhood to the present. It’s sort of like giving someone a briefing on the “real” you — where you came from and what you cherish.
You don’t want to do this too frequently — you want the yearning for nostalgia to build up and percolate. That way when it is done, it will be a genuinely delightful experience for the both of you.
9. 00s, 90s, 80s or Whatever Decade Night
Choose whatever decade formed the bulk of your formative teen years and theme a night at home around it. That means music, TV shows, movies and even food from the area. (Is there a McDs out there that still serves McDLTs?)
If you still have vintage clothes from the era that you can still fit into — wear them. Dig through your closet for original CDs (cassettes, 8-tracks or vinyls — no age discrimination here) from the era.
You can even find karaoke versions of the songs of your times on YouTube. What woman wouldn’t swoon to hear her man’s rendition of Boyz II Men’s “I’ll Make Love to You.” Guys, whom among you would not get tingly in the right places if your lady started crawling and churning on the coffee table as she sings Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.” (Okay, maybe we’re going too far with the examples, nonetheless…)
A decade night is certain to generate laughs, memories, and romance — what every stay-at-home date needs.
— You See, Stay-at-Home Date Nights CAN Be Fun —
Like any date, a stay-at-home date will be as successful as the effort that you put into it. In the end, the purpose of any date is to create a setting for the both of you to share a pleasurable and endearing moment. We hope these suggestions are helpful to you. Remember, you can use them as planned dates, or you can use them to surprise your partner. They can also be used as handy contingencies when another date idea had to be canceled due to circumstances out of your control.
