You have planned, plotted and juggled schedules for weeks, and it’s finally going to happen: four whole hours of uninterrupted time with your partner, sans kiddos.
You kind of don’t even remember the last time that happened! But at the last minute, you get the dreaded phone call from the babysitter — she is sick and has to cancel.
There goes your romantic night out.
Hold up, though. You don’t have to settle for another night of Netflix and sweatpants just because you’re stuck at home. There are tons of ways you can make the night just as special as if you went out — maybe even more so!
So put the kids to bed and choose one of these great ways to have a date night in and reconnect with your partner.
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1. Order your romantic meal in
Get your Postmates app up and order whatever you would normally have from the restaurant you planned to go to. No one needs to be cooking and cleaning on date night anyway. When your meal arrives, light a few candles and play some soft music to set the scene. Bon appétit!
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2. Grab a “questions for couples” book
If you want to get to know your partner on a deeper level, questions for couples books or questions for couples cards can be a great way to start thought-provoking conversations that you’d otherwise never have time for while dealing with the kids.
3. Have a mini tasting party
Grab six or so new-to-you wines, beers or liquors and pair them with a similarly new selection of cheeses, olives or fruits to create flights (read: artfully curated groupings) for each of you. Savor your samples and discuss what you like or don’t like about each one.
4. Plan your dream vacation
If money were no object, what would your dream vacation look like? Where would you go? How would you get there? Where would you stay? What would you eat? What would you see while you were there? What activities would you choose?
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Clarifying the details of a shared dream is the first step in making it come true. Sure, you may never actually get an invite to stay with Will and Kate at Kensington Palace, but maybe a trip to London is in your future.
5. Soak in a tub
You know that big bathtub you never use? You’re going to use it tonight. Fill it up high with the warmest water you can stand and make piles of bubbles. Candles and soft music create the perfect ambiance, so slip into the water for a little relaxation à deux.
6. Make breakfast for dinner — in bed
Everyone loves breakfast for dinner. It’s even better when you eat it in bed! Take out those breakfast trays you got as wedding gifts (and never used), whip up some pancakes and scrambled eggs, and who knows? Maybe you’ll get creative with the maple syrup.
7. Take some personality tests
You think you know your partner better than anyone else? Take a bunch of online personality tests and let them be the judge. Compare what your own answers are versus what the other thinks you’d say, and see how the results compare to reality. There are a bunch of interesting ones on PsychCentral.com.
