Just because you’re in lockdown with your partner for the foreseeable future doesn’t mean that you should let the romance die. You can still keep your relationship thriving by going on regular dates, even if they can only be held in your house or backyard.
- Have a picnic in your back yard. If the weather is decent, grab some fresh air and reconnect with your other half by having a makeshift picnic in your backyard. Dig out your old picnic basket and blanket and take some snacks and drinks out there that you can both enjoy while basking in the sunshine. Ah, bliss.
- Create an indoor cinema. If the weather isn’t so good or you like the idea of a cozy night in, why not create an indoor cinema in your living room for date night? Bring your TV closer to your sofa, grab some fluffy blankets, turn the lights off, switch on Netflix, and pop some corn for you guys to munch on. Just try not to argue about which movie you want to watch!
- Cook a new recipe together. Who says date nights in lockdown have to be complicated? If you’re looking for a simple way to reconnect, find a new recipe you both like the sound of and start cooking up a storm in the kitchen. (Bonus points for putting on some music, lighting some candles to set the mood, and enjoying a nice glass of wine as you work.) And the best part? You get to eat whatever you cook afterward. (Let’s just hope it’s edible…)
- Have a pamper night. Does lockdown have both of you feeling stressed? If so, you could create a DIY spa in your bedroom. Give each other massages, put on face masks, and do whatever else might fall under the “self-care” umbrella. Don’t forget the candles and calming music to help you relax even further.
- Create an in-house bar and have drinks together. Speaking of bringing date nights to your house, why not conjure up your own bar or club? Turn the lights off, put on some disco lights, grab an alcoholic beverage, and blast the latest chart tunes out of your stereo — bad dancing optional.
- YouTube a cocktail-making class. Another date idea for you and your partner in self-isolation? Make your own cocktails. Buy the ingredients during your next grocery run, find a free class on YouTube, and away you go!
- Have a game night. I know what you’re thinking—families and friends are having game nights during quarantine, so what makes this such a good date night for me and my other half? Well, I’ll tell you—alcohol. Game nights are a great way to temporarily forget about everything that’s going on and simply have fun together. Just try not to get too competitive. (Hey, it happens to the best of us…)
- Create your own couple’s book club. A super cute date night you can have in lockdown if you and your partner love to read is book club. Pick out a book that you can put some time aside to read together every week (or read a chapter separately and then come back and talk about at the same time every week). It sounds straightforward, but sometimes you can really connect with someone over a good piece of writing—and it’ll keep your brain active during these unstimulating times.
- Have a craft night. Likewise, craft night will exercise your brains while allowing you and your other half to have some serious fun together. Whether you decide to paint the same picture, draw each other, or learn a new skill (like sewing or knitting), being creative together can feel incredibly fulfilling if you’ve not much done much else that day. Just call yourselves Picasso.
- Go camping in your backyard. Lastly, the final way you can enjoy date night with your partner during lockdown is by having an overnight sleepover in your backyard (if the weather is warm enough and dry enough, of course). Dig out your camping gear, pitch a tent, make some s’mores, and do a bit of stargazing. You might just end up forgetting you’re on your property! Even though there’s a lot on right now, it’s important to arrange some one-on-one time with your partner that isn’t just sitting in front of the TV every night. Not only will date nights keep the fire burning while you’re in lockdown, but they’ll also make you closer for when this is all over and you’re able to go on “normal” dates again. Win-win.
