This post is all about date night ideas at home.
I have always been a lover of a date night. Making a plan, choosing an outfit, and feeling giddy all day. But regular date nights can quickly get expensive, even if it’s just going for dinner. And then you add in other factors like searching for a babysitter or a lack of great options in your town. Suddenly it can start to feel like there are too many barriers and the next thing you know, it’s been a long time since you’ve really taken the time to just connect with your partner.
I’m a firm believer that date night doesn’t need to be extravagant. It’s more about intentionally setting the time aside to connect and spending that time together.
In this post, I will be sharing 16 date night ideas at home. That way, you have no reasons not to plan that night for you and your partner.
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This post is all about date night ideas at home.
1. One partner plans the main course, one partner plans the dessert. Then you make the meal together.
You’re going to be eating dinner one way or another, why not put a bit of “play” into it and do a collaborative meal plan. One partner chooses the main course while one chooses the dessert (you can check out my favourite cookbooks here if you’re looking for inspiration). Then make a grocery list, go grab what you need and spend the evening cooking and eating together.
2. Fancy cocktails and a board game
We love making cocktails at home. For the price of 3 or 4 cocktails at a restaurant, you can purchase all the ingredients you need to make a delicious cocktail for multiple days of at-home happy hours. I’ve always loved the cocktails that Half Baked Harvest shares over on her blog, if you’re looking for some ideas! We love to play Cribbage or Monopoly Deal for an easy, two-person game.
3. Pick up takeout from a local restaurant.
We love doing this on occasion! It’s a great way to support one of your favourite local spots while still spending an evening together at home. This could be a great option for a later-in-the-evening date night if you have kids, once they’ve gone to bed. As we said above, drinks are cheaper at home so that in itself will save you some money.
4. Steal and make our menu from last Valentine’s Day (spoiler – it’s really delicious!)
If you’re looking for some date night at home dinner ideas, I’ve got you! This is what we made for an at-home date night last year on Valentine’s Day. It’s a meal that I’ve made a number of times because it’s just so good. You’ll love!
5. Get two pints of Ben & Jerry’s, pick a movie and pile on the blankets
If movie date night ideas at home are more your jam, this is one of my favourite easy date nights! My husband and I are big ice cream lovers, and in my opinion no one does ice cream better than ol’ Ben & Jerry. We like to each get our own pint so it lasts a few days (and because my husband eats about 10x as fast as I do), but I you could definitely share one if you wanted!
Pick a movie that you’ve both been wanting to watch and voila! An easy movie date night idea at home!
6. Use an intimate conversation starter and have some great chats
Sometimes it’s easy to fall into conversation ruts with someone you’ve been with for years. I love using conversation decks to inject a bit of play and variety into an evening of connecting. They’re also great for when you’re getting together with friends or family as they let you get to know each other in a different way than you typically share. This one is for couples specifically and this one is geared more towards connecting with friends.
7. Surprise your partner with an at-home massage.
If you’re looking for more romantic date ideas at home, try giving your partner a surprise at-home massage. Dim the lights, put on some romantic music and light some candles. Try adding in a soothing body oil to make it even more pleasurable for your partner. After you’re done, swap places and have your partner give you one as well.
8. Take a virtual cooking class together.
One good thing that came out of the pandemic is that so many activities and businesses moved things online and have continued to offer this. Try searching for virtual cooking classes online and you’ll find a whole bunch of great options that cater to different styles of food.
9. Get all of your favourite snacks and binge watch a favourite show.
Similar to number 5, but this time get any and all snacks you want and then cue up a show you both enjoy! We are big tv show people and recently have been enjoying The Crown and The Last of Us (if you’re looking for a recommendation).
10. Create a charcuterie board together for happy hour
Charcuteries are basically one of my love languages at this point. I make them for any and all occasions and date night is as good an excuse as any to whip one up! If you’re needing some inspiration on putting a charcuterie together, I shared a guide (and shopping list) that you can read here!
11. Plan a romantic candle-lit dinner at home.
Set the table, light the candles, and dress up (or don’t – sweats is good too!). Put your phones in a different room and actually spend time sitting and chatting at the dining table long after the meal has been eaten. Bonus points if you share a bottle of wine!
12. An at-home coffee date and morning check-in.
This is a simple one that again, with a bit of intention, can feel special! Maybe you’re in a season of life where an extended date night feels too difficult to fit in. What about a morning coffee and a couple of simple check in questions?
Some ideas of great questions to chat through: How are you feeling this week? How can I best support you this week? What is something you’re proud of and want to take a moment to celebrate together? (this can be big OR small!)
13. Go on a neighbourhood walk
While this one technically isn’t at home, it is around home and doesn’t require any driving so I’m including it. Schedule in a walk with your partner to chat and spend time together outside. Walking is great for our bodies and minds and going together will give you a moment to exhale and connect meaningfully.
14. Have a wine and painting night
There are a ton of great guided paint tutorials on YouTube for free that you can cue up and follow together! A DIY paint class!
15. Look through a bunch of old photos and videos of meaningful things you’ve done together.
Whether it’s your wedding video, photos from a trip you’ve taken, pictures of your dog or your kids, moments from when you started dating, whatever! Just spend time reminiscing and savouring those times you’ve shared. It will help you feel closer.
You could take this one a step further and spend time together putting together photo physical photo albums to move some of those digital moments to a tangible momento.
16. Plan an at home wine or beer tasting – create a flight for yourself!
This is something you could do with another couple or just do on your own! But pickup a few bottles of wine or a few varieties of craft beer and try them all. You can find cute little tasting cards on Etsy if you want to make it more “official” or you can just share what you think.
17. Have a goal setting date
We love doing an annual goal setting date! Lots of people set goals at the start of the year but you can do it any time! There’s something special about talking through your desire to grow and move forward with your partner and having them support you in those things. You can check out the structure we follow for goal setting here if you’re looking for some ideas.
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