Between hectic schedules and taking care of the kids, it can be difficult to find time to date your partner. It’s easy to fall into your typical routines or even take their company for granted. But for the health of your relationship, it’s important to spend quality time together and create special moments amidst all the chaos. In fact, every relationship could benefit from committing to date at least one night of the week. Having one-on-one time reminds you to slow down, step back, and appreciate your long-term commitment. Here are some ideas on how you can wow your partner with a thoughtful and romantic date night.
Recreate your very first date.
There’s nothing more romantic than reminiscing on the earlier parts of your relationship. Reignite your passion by recreating your very first date. The longer you’ve been together, the more nostalgic and special it will feel to think about the good old days. If you went out to a movie, you can watch it together at home. Or maybe you can go out to eat at the very same restaurant and you can try to order for each other. If you can remember the clothes you were wearing, it might even be fun to wear the same colors and look at photos you may have taken in the past. It’s a great way to look back and see how much you’ve grown together.
Host a themed dinner party for two.
The key to any good dinner party is to go all out. Don’t skimp out on any of the details here and really commit to the theme. This is a great way to have a romantic date at home. For example, you can choose the Disney movie Ratatouille as your theme and make—you guessed it—ratatouille! Serve it up with some fancy French cheese, and don’t forget the wine! You can even choose a city like New Orleans and order some extra-jumbo headless shrimp. Prepare some gumbo and fry up some beignets. Pretend you’re a couple of Michelin-star chefs and indulge in good food!
Check out the latest museum exhibit.
For couples who prefer something more stimulating, it may be fun to check out the latest exhibit at your local museum. This is perfect if there’s been an exhibit that your partner has been dying to see. Stroll hand in hand through projections of Van Gogh’s paintings. Or learn more about indigenous history and support the community. Together, you and your partner can take a breather, appreciate art, and dive into other cultures.
Shop for each other.
Put your knowledge to the test! How much do you pay attention to your partner’s personal style? Do they enjoy colored stones trends when it comes to jewelry? Can you remember their shoe size or their favorite style of denim jeans? You can shop together online, at a vintage store, or at your nearest mall. Either way, it’s a fun and thoughtful activity. Each person can choose an outfit, and perhaps you can even wear it to your next date night!
Everyone has their own idea of romance. Regardless of what activity you choose, it’s all about prioritizing your partner and reestablishing your connection. A romantic date doesn’t have to cost a lot of money either. It’s mostly about the effort you put in and how dedicated you are to creating special moments with each other. You don’t have to book a helicopter ride or rent a limo. A romantic date night can be something as small as dancing in your backyard, doing a blind taste test, hosting a game night, or stargazing at the park. There are plenty of ideas, big or small, for you to show your partner how much you appreciate them.
