Looking for exciting date ideas? If you so much as browse women’s magazines, you have come across articles about how important date night is to the success of your marriage and how “You need time alone!” and “You need to focus on each other!” And while that is certainly true, not everyone can swing a date night out on the town once a week. Or even once a month. Heck, some can’t even swing it once a year. But getting in this quality time doesn’t have to mean finding a sitter and catching dinner and a movie. Date night can easily happen at home once the kids are asleep or off to grandma’s house. Anyone else fresh out of exciting date ideas? Don’t you worry – we have you covered. Check out the list below and let us know if you have come up with anything else that we may have missed.

A Night at the Movies

The problem with a movie date night at home is that you have to make it feel more special than just sitting on the couch watching Netflix, which is something most of us do every week, or even every day. Work to recreate the movie theater experience: include specialty popcorn, soft pretzels, favorite candies, and block out the lights. To help make it feel separate from your usual Netflix sessions, seek out a movie that is removed from the typical choices you would watch. Since you’re in the house, this would be a great time to wear lingerie. It may be difficult for him to stay focused on the movie but make it worth his wait!

Drinks and Dessert

Dinner dates at home rarely work since the kids have to eat, too. But what you can do is opt for drinks and dessert after the kids are in bed. Make it simple or try out some fun recipes that you can make together. Not only is it fun to enjoy the drinks and dessert together, but the process of making them can be quite fun as well.

Play Some Games

If you have a competitive streak, card games can be quite fun. However, there are lots of game ideas you can find online that are couples-centered, including conversation starters and all-about-you matching games. Keep it light and fun, even if you are a bit competitive—it is date night, after all! Add some adventure and make it “Strip {insert game here}”!

Just Unplug

It may not sound that special, but the truth is that for many of us, it will work as well as any fancy idea. Spend an evening without any electronic devices—no TV, no tablets, no phones. Turn them off, or even unplug the router to shut down your WiFi. Without all of the distractions, you will be able to connect in ways you usually cannot. You will be surprised by how much of a treat the experience is. 

Music and Wine

Staying with the unplugged theme, play music and have a bottle of wine or the drinks you made earlier. If it’s a warm night out, grab your wine and sit under the stars. Have real conversation and reconnect.

What are Your Date Night Ideas?