Pro Tip:<\/strong> It\u2019s not a movie night without the snacks! For a healthy alternative to sweets, buy loose kernels and make popcorn the old-fashioned way. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPoker Night<\/h2>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s nothing like a deck of cards to bring out everyone\u2019s inner card shark. There are quite a few different versions to play, though: Texas Hold \u2018Em, Five Card Draw, Seven Card Stud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure you and your SO agree on which game you\u2019re playing, then print out a set of rules for each of you. Unless both of you play regularly, having the rules on hand will make it much easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Playing for money, real or not, always adds a bit of an edge, but you don\u2019t want to get too competitive. Instead, keep it light by stocking up on inexpensive poker chips from Amazon. The brightly colored chips will give your dining room table a colorful casino flair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you really want to go \u201call in\u201d on this one, pull down your hat and put on your biggest, darkest sunglasses. Gotta hide your tell during this fun date night!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spa Night<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Think spa nights are just for bachelorette parties and slumber parties? Think again! Everyone deserves to get pampered from time to time. And you don\u2019t need to head to an upscale spa or resort to indulge yourselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, set the mood with zen music. Your goal here is relaxation and bliss. YouTube has some great, long playlists of nature sounds or Tibetan music that would work perfectly. You can also add aromatherapy with scented candles or an essential oil diffuser. Lavender is especially good for unwinding and de-stressing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Face masks are one of the easiest ways to start. Almost any pharmacy or department store will offer tons of options for every skin type, or you can DIY it. Pinterest has tons of recipes for face masks with common household ingredients such as honey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, move on to hand massages. You use your hands all day, even just to peck at your laptop or swipe on your phone. Your fingers deserve a little love! Take turns giving each other hand massages; scented lotion will give it a special touch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to up the \u201ccute factor,\u201d order foot massage socks. They\u2019re silly and brightly colored, but they show exactly where to rub on the foot to relieve everything from a headache to a sore knee. These socks are based on the premise of the ancient art of acupressure, so they\u2019re surprisingly accurate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Date Night Under the Stars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n A stargazing date night is one of our top romantic date night ideas. You do have to coordinate this one with your favorite weather app, though, to make sure that you pick a night that\u2019s dry and cloudless. Then, load up on blankets and head outside to snuggle under the stars!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No need to worry if you don\u2019t can\u2019t pick out the stars on your own, there are a ton of stargazing apps to choose from. Download one that looks good, point your phone up towards the sky, and discover the stars. Some will even show you the position of the planets; be sure to point out Venus, the planet that rules love. It is date night, after all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also use your smartphone to research upcoming celestial events. If there are going to be any meteor showers soon, it\u2019ll be the perfect complement to your stargazing. Don\u2019t forget to wish on any shooting stars you see!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you really want to impress your SO, find out what sign they were born under (their zodiac sign), and point it out to them in the night sky. They\u2019re not all visible all the time, so you\u2019ll have to do a little prep work here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pro Tip:<\/strong> If you don\u2019t want to lie on the grass, either because it\u2019s dewy or because it\u2019s full of little creatures, set up an inexpensive kiddie pool. Spread it out, blow up the rings, and pile in your blankets and pillows. The waterproof lining will keep your clothes dry and bug-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWine Tasting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Turn your living room into Napa Valley with a wine tasting night. Not sure where to begin? You can always ask for advice from your local liquor store as to what bottles might go over well, based on some of your favorite flavors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For your tasting, you can pick a variety of bottles, such as one red, one white, one sparkling, and one dessert, or stick to a more limited palate, such as all red wines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nOpen your first bottle of wine and get started. Here\u2019s what you will want to observe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look: <\/strong>What color is the wine? How deep is the color, is it opaque? Then swirl the wine around in your glass and notice the viscosity\u2014the so-called \u201clegs\u201d of the wine.<\/li>Smell: <\/strong>What does your wine smell like? Can you detect flowers or fruit? Is it earthy? How intense is the aroma?<\/li>Taste: <\/strong>This is the fun part! Note the flavors, such as sweet or tart, as well as the wine\u2019s structure (sweetness, acidity). <\/li>Compare: <\/strong>Once you\u2019ve opened more than one bottle, you can compare them. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nWines tend to pair best with specific foods: Pinot with seafood, Cabernet with steak, etc. So unless you\u2019re offering wines of all one variety, you\u2019re probably better off not offering a meal during your wine tasting. Instead, opt for lighter fare such as cheeses, crackers, and fruit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll also want to make sure you drink plenty of water. Regardless of whether you sip or spit your wine, hydration is the key to feeling good the next morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fondue Night<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Fondue was uber-popular in the 70s, ironic in the early aughts, and now it\u2019s making its comeback, and there are good reasons why fondue is one of our favorite home date night ideas, apart from the fact that it\u2019s just plain delish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For one thing, it\u2019s interactive. One person isn\u2019t stuck in the kitchen cooking while everyone else is hanging out. On date night, the whole point is doing things together, and fondue definitely checks that box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fondue is also easy. You just add all of your ingredients, and let the fondue pot do the work. No stirring, whisking, sifting, or grilling necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Popular fondue restaurants usually offer three course meals: cheese, entree, and dessert. It\u2019s a filling night, though, and most customers usually skip the entree and opt for the two yummiest options, the cheese and the dessert. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheese Fondue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll find plenty of recipes online for your cheese fondue. Some use common grocery store items, but others might have you heading to the deli for a particularly obscure cheese. Almost all of them call for some type of alcohol (beer and white wine are the most popular). Don\u2019t worry, for the most part, the alcohol will burn off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nOnce you have your cheese fondue recipe in hand, it\u2019s time to decide what you\u2019ll serve with it. Cut up bread, green apples, and carrots are all tasty accompaniments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chocolate Fondue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Sure, you could just buy a chocolate bar and add it to the pot. But it probably won\u2019t be as smooth and creamy as you\u2019d like, and it might even burn. Like with the cheese fondue, we recommend that you look up recipes online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As to what to serve with it, almost everything goes with chocolate! Strawberries, bananas, pineapples, mini cheesecakes or shortbread bites. Let your imagination be your guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because fondue is so easy to make in larger batches, this is another great option for a double date. Invite another couple and have fun with the cheesy, chocolate-y goodness!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Camping Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Camping out, or at least pretending to, is another fun way for nature lovers to enjoy an at-home date night. Unless you both enjoy sleeping outdoors, you don\u2019t have to go to all of the trouble of setting up a tent in the backyard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If possible, you can get a fire pit going. Add a bag of marshmallows and some graham crackers, and suddenly you\u2019re ready for s\u2019mores!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leave the electronics indoors, even the music. Enjoy the quiet instead, or take turns telling your scariest or silliest ghost stories. You can always run indoors if you get too spooked! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do decide to sleep outdoors, take advantage of easy access to electricity. Make your night more comfortable with an air mattress. It\u2019s kind of cheating, but we won\u2019t tell if you don\u2019t!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paint Night<\/h2>\n\n\n\n For a creative date night, unleash your inner artists!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To get started, you\u2019ll need: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canvases<\/li> Smocks (or oversized tees that you don\u2019t mind potentially ruining)<\/li> Brushes<\/li> Paints <\/li> Wooden or plastic palettes to hold dabs of paint<\/li> Cups of water, for cleaning brushes<\/li> Old newspapers and\/or magazine for covering the painting surface<\/li> Easels (optional, but convenient)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nMost of your supplies can be found at your local art supply or craft store, or you can order them online. To save money on paints, though, decide what you\u2019ll be painting first so you don\u2019t end up buying colors you won\u2019t need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can go DIY here, just painting whatever comes to mind. Or you can print a picture\u2014maybe a spot that\u2019s meaningful, like your first vacay together\u2014and try to duplicate it, or you can find a virtual painting tutorial online. These are available for all skill levels and will walk you through creating your masterpiece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If painting isn\u2019t your thing, there are many artistic options for a creative date:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sketching<\/li> Photography<\/li> Writing a poem or short story<\/li> Play an instrument<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nPick one that both of you might enjoy, even if you\u2019ve never tried it before. Look on YouTube for free tutorials, and have a blast with your inner Picasso (or Hendrix, whatever the case may be).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Memory Lane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n A trip down memory lane is such a sweet at home date night! Looking back at all the memories you\u2019ve made and the fun you\u2019ve had can inspire you to make even more plans for the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a couple of ways to do this. You can set up a slideshow on your computer, then share it on your TV. Add some popcorn or your favorite snacks, and your relationship will be your favorite big-screen blockbuster. Bonus points if you take the time to add a soundtrack!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also go old-school on this one. You know those dozens (or hundreds!) of selfies you\u2019ve taken together? It\u2019s time to print them all out. Then invest in some glue sticks and photo albums. You\u2019ll spend the evening looking at your favorite photos, and then have them ready for whenever you want to browse through them again. Much better than keeping them stored on your phone or laptop!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting to Know You (Again)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n When\u2019s the last time you had a deep, personal conversation? Even if you\u2019ve been dating for a while, it\u2019s easy to get caught up in the outside world and lose touch with one another, on a deeper level. But this date will change all that and have you reconnecting in a truly meaningful way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some of our favorite \u201cgetting to know you\u201d date ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Share Your \u201cBucket Lists\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n We all have them, that list of activities we want to do and places we want to visit. Share your deepest, most fervent desires, even the really wild ones like swimming with sharks! Write them down, then help each other cross them off together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Would You Rather\u2026?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n You can come up with these questions on your own or find them online and print them off. They can range from the super silly to extra deep. By posing questions you\u2019d never think to ask one another on your own, this activity will give you interesting insights into your SO. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ideal Trip Planning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s your dream trip? If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why? What would you do there? You might be surprised to learn that your SO would rather spend a month learning to surf in Costa Rica than a week exploring Paris, but when you find that your interests intersect, it\u2019s time to set some goals together. Until then, daydreaming is free!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find Your Love Language<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Have you ever heard of love languages? There are five of them, and everyone falls into one of the categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n