Written by: Rita Magallona
February 14 is a golden opportunity to show how much you appreciate your loved one. As you can see from the yearly traffic jams and crowded restaurants, most couples share this sentaiment.
But who says you have to go through all that stress? Celebrating Valentine’s Day 2020 can both be memorable and hassle-free if you choose the path less traveled: the stay-at-home date night.
The best part? At-home date nights are great for any day of the year. According to Psychology Today, regular dates “can help couples work as a team to rekindle desire.” These fun date ideas also work well for birthdays and anniversaries.
Last year, we featured creative Valentine’s Day ideas. Here are a few more to add to your list.
6 Stay-at-Home Date Night Ideas for Valentine’s Day
1. Set out a cheese and meat board
You’re pressed for time, all the delivery lines are busy, and you can’t boil water without burning the pan. Fortunately, there’s a way to have your Valentine’s Day feast without slaving away for hours in the kitchen. Just set out a cheese board or charcuterie platter, open a bottle of wine, and you’re good to go.
Load up a large wooden tray with a variety of cheeses, pre-cured meats, and savoury olives. Arrange them in artful heaps along with artisan crackers, crusty bread, and tiny dishes of pate or spread. Add grapes, figs, or any dried fruit for a sweet contrast.
The best part? Washing up afterwards is a breeze.
2. Slow dance to your favourite love songs
You don’t need a lot of space or fancy sound equipment to go dancing. Just dim the lights and clear a spot in your living room. In this instance, being in close quarters is a definite plus.
You can sway to a romantic ballad or a more upbeat tune. Dancing skills are optional. You can even make up the steps as you go along.
3. Sing your heart out
Speaking of music, you can recreate a karaoke bar in your home. You can easily get a home karaoke system from a store or order it online. The key here is your choice of music. Go for selections that are either memorable to both of you or try out newer songs that have the potential to become favourites.
Now is the time to belt your heart out. Since your neighbours are probably out on a restaurant date, it shouldn’t be that much of a bother. Just make sure to keep the volume at a reasonable level after 10 pm and end before midnight.
If you can play the guitar or piano, then that’s even better!
4. Pamper yourselves with a home spa
Who says that spas are only for the ladies? The gents can also appreciate a relaxing facial mask or exfoliating rub. These items are surprisingly affordable, and part of the charm is doing it yourself.
You can surprise your partner with a back massage or foot spa. Indulge with scented oils and other high-quality spa products that you normally would not use. After all, it’s a special day.
5. Watch home movies together
Instead of the latest superhero flick, why not watch videos of important life events? This date idea requires a bit more prep time, as you need to curate videos from the hundreds stored in your phone or computer.
Watch your wedding video and reminisce about the hilarious things your friends or relatives did. Even better, watch videos of your kids or pets and laugh at their antics. Or, you can go old-school and browse through photo albums together. Remember the good times over a glass of wine.
6. Have a relationship quiz night
How well do you know your partner? Now’s the night to discover new things about each other. You can ask them open-ended questions like:
- Describe your dream home.
- What is the best part of your job?
- What are you most grateful for today?
You can also ask a rapid-fire set of choices:
- Cookies or chips?
- Wine or beer?
- Pantone blue or coral pink?
- Beach house or mountain retreat?
Another version of this is asking each other about your “firsts.” How well do you remember those initial heady days of your relationship? Examples include:
- Where was our first date?
- When did you first notice me?
- Who was the first to say “I love you”?
- How did you feel after our first kiss?
- Who did you first tell about me?
- What were the first gifts we gave each other?
Just remember to keep the questions light and positive.
What’s great about these stay-at-home dates is you already have most of what you need to make them happen. And best of all, because the date is tailored to your preferences, you will most likely have a good time.
Ensure that your home is ready for date night! Get a professional to make repairs or install a new appliance. Learn more about our handyman services.
