Picnics in the park, romantic walks along the beach, skipping stones across the lake – it’s all a great deal more comfortable when the evenings are long, bright, and warm. However, it can’t be summer forever. The temperature has definitely dropped and the evenings have all but disappeared, winter is here. So, with that in mind, see it as the perfect excuse to stay indoors and get cosy with your favourite person. Now, this doesn’t mean your date nights have to be dull! A night in front of the TV once in a while is fine, but we can do better than that! Try out these ideas to spice up your at-home date nights.
Host a Poker or Casino Night at Home
Instead of braving the elements, bring the fun of the casino home. There are plenty of online options that can do the hard work for you, letting you try out new variants like Omaha poker or French roulette. Trying something new or novel together is a great way to build up your relationship. Plus, something with an element of skill, like poker, allows you to learn from one another. Not only can you figure out your hand rankings together, but you can work on bankroll strategies and get to grips with variants that neither of you have tried before.
Want to up the ante? Go all out with a themed setup. Lay out some cards and chips, get all dolled up in your fanciest outfits, and crank up some classic Vegas tunes. If you’re feeling cheeky, throw in mini wagers for extra laughs – like the choice of next week’s movie or who does the dishes.
DIY Drinks and Paint Night
Who needs an art studio when you’ve got a kitchen table, some cheap canvases, and a bottle of your favorite beverage? You’ll have to bear with us here if you’re actually an artist – a studio may be necessary. However, if you’re an enthusiastic dater that can hold a paintbrush, we promise you’ll have a great time. Pick up a set of paints, grab your favorite drinks, and let the chaos begin. If you’ve got stage fright a little then you can follow a tutorial on YouTube. Feeling confident? Just freestyle – it’s not about being good, it’s about having fun.
Even if your ‘masterpiece’ ends up looking like an abstract painting, you’ll have a blast doing it. Portraits are great fun if you both have a sense of humour or you’re really good at painting. Otherwise, landscapes, surrealist pieces (or really anything other than portraits) is a much safer choice!
Cook a Gourmet Meal Together
For one night only, forget the takeaway menu; it’s time to channel your inner celebrity chef. Pick a recipe that feels just a little out of your comfort zone and tackle it together. Make it a proper event. Dress up like you’re at a five-star restaurant, set the table with your fanciest plates, and light some candles for that extra touch of romance. Even if your pasta’s a bit lumpy or the soufflé collapses, it’s all about the shared experience – and the taste test at the end!
Indoor Camping Adventure
If you’re missing the great outdoors but not a fan of frostbite, an indoor camping adventure is the way to go. Build the coziest blanket fort imaginable, string up some fairy lights, and pile in the cushions. For snacks, think marshmallows roasted over the stove, hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream, or even s’mores if you’re feeling ambitious.
For entertainment, put on a nature documentary or your favorite campfire-themed movie, and pretend you’re roughing it in the wilderness without actually leaving your living room.
Create Your Own Escape Room
Feeling a little adventurous? Turn your home into the ultimate puzzle-solving playground with a DIY escape room. You can find ready-made kits online or, if you’re feeling crafty, make up your own challenges and clues. Tailor it to something you both love like a heist story, a treasure hunt, or even a murder mystery. Let those hours watching serial killer documentaries finally pay off!