Tag Archive for: At Home Date Night

DIY Date Night | Gimme A Taste

Getting bored of your typical takeout and a night in? Check out this date night, a spin on a more classic evening. This date night will get you safely out of the house, enjoying each other’s company, and growing deeper with every moment. And all you need is a car (and even that’s optional) and a bandana!

Supplies:

  • A car
  • A blindfold/bandana

Instructions:

  • Both partners pick three menu items from a favorite restaurant. Don’t tell your honey! (If you need to order ahead from this restaurant, do so before you leave and do a curbside pickup order) [NOTE: Want to spend the full night in? Order delivery instead!]
  • Pick one person to drive first. The other person gets in the car blindfolded!
  • Go and pick up your food! Then drive to a different location so your spouse can’t see where the food is from. (Pro-tip, bring a blanket along to cover the food so they can’t see the bags/branding!)
  • Now, switch roles and pick up the other order!
  • Once both orders are picked up (and neither spouse knows where the other person went), you can finish this date night either in the car or back at home.
  • One spouse, put the blindfold back on.
  • The non-blindfolded person then has to feed their partner the three menu items! Keep the blindfold on until they’ve guessed what they’re eating.
  • Switch roles again!
  • Once you’ve both guessed all three correctly, put the blindfold down and answer the questions below to take the date night deeper.

Questions To Take It Deeper:

  • On a scale of 1-10, how well would you say I know you?
  • What’s one thing I can do to be a better listener?
  • How can I better express my feelings and emotions to you?
  • How have you seen me change since the first time we met?
  • What would you say is my biggest strength and weakness?
  • Would you say you’re more in love with me now than when we first got together?
  • What can we regularly do together to help grow our relationship?
  • How have you seen our relationship change since we first got together?
  • What’s one thing I might not know about you? (Think abstract & get creative! Fears, weird thoughts, childhood memories, etc.)
  • If you and I could go anywhere in the world together for a month (all expenses paid) where would you want to go?
  • What’s one thing you’ve missed a lot because of the pandemic?
  • How can we keep each other accountable to adapting to our ever-changing world?

Looking for more creative date night ideas? Check out our full page here!

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DIY Date Night | Spring Fever

Celebrate the season and each other!

Although spring is right around the corner, many people still feel like they’re in the middle of winter. Whether you’re trapped in the middle of a snowstorm or enjoying some sunny weather, this DIY date night will get you and your love in the springtime mood! Here are a few ideas for what you can do on this date night (pick which one works best for you!), plus a few conversation starters to keep those convos deep, meaningful, and lasting!

Date Idea 1: Grow Old With Me

Supplies:

  • Seeds (of any kind! Wildflowers, herbs, veggies, etc.)
  • Two pots
  • Potting soil

Instructions:

This date night really is as simple as it seems! The goal here is to plant some seeds so that they will grow and bloom (or fruit) by summer. If you’re not much of a green thumb, here’s a great article on what not to do! Once your seeds are planted, be sure to check on them regularly, keep them watered and in sunlight, and watch them grow!

Conversation Starters:

  • How have you seen me grow in the past year?
  • How do you think you’ve grown in the past year?
  • Do you feel like there’s something missing from what you need to grow? (Not getting enough sunlight, water, etc.)
  • What do you imagine when you picture us growing old together?
  • What’s one thing we can do now to make sure we’re just as in love when we’re old together?
  • What can I do to help you grow in the year to come?
  • What seeds should we plant in our marriage now to help our relationship bloom/bear fruit later?

Date Idea 2: Spring Cleaning (No really, it’s more fun than it sounds!)

Supplies:

  • That one project you’ve been putting off for sooooo long

Instructions:

Sure, this isn’t your typical date night, but who says it can’t be fun? Sometimes doing the most mind-numbing tasks (cleaning out the fridge, organizing that one closet, hanging those pictures you bought 3 months ago…) can turn into a fun memory when you do it with someone you love! Why not try it out? Get with your spouse and decide on 1-3 projects to do on this date night. Then try and make it fun along the way! Be sure to use the conversation starters below to help get the fun going.

Conversation Starters:

  • Are there any conversations we need to have that you’ve been putting off?
  • Would you say I’m a procrastinator? Whether yes or no, how do you think that affects our relationship?
  • Is there anything cluttering our relationship that needs to be cleaned out?
  • What’s one thing we can do now to keep things from cluttering our relationship down the road?
  • Why do you think it can be so hard to be organized/clean in life?
  • Do you consider this a fun date night? Why or why not?
  • If you could snap your fingers and have any project (house, work, or other) totally done, what would it be?

Date Idea 3: Paint Your Garden

Supplies:

  • Paper
  • Finger paint
  • Fruits and veggies

Instructions:

Stop repressing that inner 7-year-old and grab some paint! This date night is all about getting creative (and a little messy)! Cut fruits and veggies into shapes to make “stamps” with the paint! For example, if you cut off the base of a bunch of celery, you can use it to make a “flower” shape. Or the top of broccoli can make a sponge-looking pattern. Get creative with it! And when you’re done, you bet that art should be displayed on the fridge!

Conversation Starters:

  • If you could choose one art medium to be really talented with, what would you choose?
  • What’s one hobby that you would want to pick up? Would you want to do it together?
  • If you had to choose a hobby for me to try, what would it be?
  • When’s the last time you felt creative?
  • Would you say I have an inner child? Why or why not?
  • What’s one thing you and I can do together to have fun more regularly?
  • What are some ways we can do better about prioritizing play in our relationship?

Date Idea 4: Plan for Adventure

Supplies:

  • A computer or phone
  • Accountability!

Instructions:

Not really feeling spring yet? That’s okay! What if you planned for it instead? Whether you want to train for a 5k or master your macaroon recipe, you and your partner can put together a plan on how to get there! OR you could even plan for a spring vacation instead. Whatever you choose, talk it through and make it happen!

Conversation Starters:

  • What’s one goal you want to accomplish in the next few months?
  • In the next year?
  • Would you say that I do a good job helping you with your goals?
  • How can I be a better support to you when it comes to achieving your goals?
  • What’s one way we can be more in tune with each other this spring and help keep each other accountable?
  • Do you think I’ve set any unrealistic goals for myself or our relationship?
  • Do you consider planning for the future fun? Why or why not?

Looking for more Date Night ideas? Check out all of our FREE date nights here!

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10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Make their heart happy with these out-of-the-box ideas!

Valentine’s Day is a great time to get outside the heart-shaped chocolate box and celebrate love and romance in a BIG way! If you want a hand in making this day unique for your Valentine, you’ve come to the right place.

These 10 creative ideas will help you connect and play as you set this Valentine’s Day apart from any other date night. 

  1. Alternate notes every hour. Be creative. Chat via text, video, over the phone, face to face, on a mirror, with chalk on the driveway. Use different categories for the notes: sexy, flirty, romantic, funny, silly, memorable, thankful, adoring, etc.
  2. Homemade Couple’s Selfie Photo Shoot. Jazz it up with the wardrobe. Have multiple wardrobe changes: nightwear, 70s wear, athletic wear, beachwear, warrior outfits, superheroes, etc.
  3. As a couple, shower someone with love who may not be feelin’ it right now. Write a letter, send flowers, spend time with them, tell stories, and listen to their stories. Your love for each other will grow as you share it with others. 
  4. Re-enact some of your favorite romantic movie scenes. Think Titanic, The Notebook, Dirty Dancing, Jerry Maguire: “You complete me!” Check out YouTube’s Top 20 Most Rewatched Scenes in Romance Movies for ideas. You can even find the screenplay for some of your favorite movies. (Pics or it didn’t happen!)
  5. Stick romantic Post-it notes on candy that your special someone likes and hide them all over the place. Put them in drawers, cars, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms—anywhere your Valentine might go. They’ll be finding them for days. (Hershey Nuggets work great for chocolate-lovers.)
  6. Dinner and a Trip Around the World…Virtually. Create a themed meal. Decide “where” you want to go to celebrate, then enjoy the sights and sounds from all over the world without leaving your living room.
  7. Re-create a meaningful meal you’ve had, or create a new experience. For instance, remember what you ate on your first date? What would you want if you were in Italy? With the internet, you can look up any recipe and make it happen. Share the meal by candlelight or lay out a blanket and make it a picnic.
  8. Create anticipation. The day before, choose not to see each other. Use that time to create suspense for the next day. Leave notes in unexpected places. Send cryptic messages or deliver a message through a friend. Put a note on their windshield or surprise them with a video/audio message teaser. See how much excitement you can build for each other.
  9. Write a romantic love story about your relationship (fact or fiction). It may be full of fantasy against the backdrop of common interests like Game of Thrones or Star Wars. Write it, tell it, or record it—but have FUN with it!
  10. Pick from First Things First’s Do It Yourself (DIY) date nights for a fun, unexpected adventure that’s already planned out for you. It’s. So. Easy!

Though you love your significant other every day (DUH!), go the extra mile this Valentine’s Day and show your special someone how much you love, respect, and value them with these creative ways to celebrate. With just a tiny bit of prep, you can take your relationship up a notch and grow the love you feel for each other.

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DIY Date Night | Appreciation Station

Did you know that research shows the happiest couples have 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction? When you think about your daily life with your honey, is this true for you? Well one great way to cash in on those positive interactions is through appreciation! This date night will guide you through how to show appreciation to your love, but also how to keep that habit going throughout the year!

Supplies:

  • Sticky notes or small pieces of paper
  • Two pens
  • A bandana
  • A timer (phone works fine)
  • Headphones & a device to play music (optional)

The Main Idea:

Appreciation is a huge part of every relationship. But let’s be real, when you’re in the day-in and day-out of everyday life, it can be hard to remember to say “thank you” or “I love it when you…”. But that’s what this date night is for!

The goal is to create a chain reaction of appreciation that will last all year long (and more!). Let’s get started!

  • First, each person grab a stack of sticky notes or a pile of about 10-15 pieces of paper.
  • Next, without your partner seeing, write one way you are thankful for and/or appreciate your partner on each of the pieces of paper. (Check out the questions below if you get stuck!)
  • Now, blindfold one person with the bandana and set a timer for 5 minutes. The non-blindfolded person will then spend those five minutes hiding all of their notes in places that their partner will find them either as they go through their daily routine or as the year goes by (toiletry bag, inside their pillowcase, in the box/bag of their favorite snack, tucked in their swimsuit or winter gloves, etc.)
    • Maybe play some music through headphones for the blindfolded spouse so they don’t get any hints of where they might be!
  • Once all the notes are hidden, switch roles. Spend another 5 minutes hiding the other partner’s notes!
  • When you’re done, spend some time talking through the questions below.

Now here’s the kicker with this appreciation date night. When you find a note that your partner left for you, you have to write and hide one for them to find! That way, the appreciation can keep going on and on forever, if you let it!

Questions If You Get Stuck:

  • What’s my favorite thing about my partner?
  • What’s one thing my partner does that makes me smile?
  • Has there been something they’ve done today that I haven’t thanked them for?
  • Is there a responsibility my partner has taken on that I haven’t thanked them for?
  • What’s one way my partner is great at recognizing my needs/wants?
  • One thing I appreciate most about my partner is…
  • One thing my partner does that often goes unnoticed is…

Questions For Conversation After Notes Are Hidden:

  • Was it easy or hard for you to come up with things to put on the notes?
  • Do you think we currently do a good job of showing appreciation for each other?
  • Is there anything specific that you don’t feel appreciated about?
  • What’s one thing we can do to make appreciation more of a habit in our relationship?
  • Do you think we have a good balance of positive interactions for every negative interaction? (Reference the research in the intro of this date night if needed!)
  • Are there currently any roadblocks to showing appreciation to each other?
  • Have I ever made you feel unappreciated? How so?
  • What’s one thing I can do to show that I appreciate you?
  • Often, when responsibilities are expected of each other, they happen without appreciation. Would saying “thank you” for our individual responsibilities (mowing the lawn, feeding the pets, cleaning the bathrooms, managing the finances, etc.) make you feel more connected in our relationship? Why or why not?

Looking for more at-home date night ideas? Check ’em out here!

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DIY Date Night | #Goals

It’s the first day of a new year! And what better way to start it off than with a great DIY date night? This date can be done at pretty much any location at any time. It’s all about having those deep, rich, meaningful conversations—which can happen anywhere! But in case you’re tired of ordering takeout and flipping through Netflix, here are a few fun date ideas…

Basic Date Night Ideas:

  • Try a new restaurant together! Bonus points if you try foreign cuisine and go with the most exotic thing on the menu!
  • Grab your favorite snack, dessert, and drink. Then drive to the closest park or lookout near you! Even if the weather’s bad, you can stay in your car.
  • Take a walk while the sun is setting (grab some hot cocoa if it’s cold)!
  • Get a bunch of googly eyes from a craft store and find places to put them in public downtown!
  • Have a bake-off at home. See who can make the best cookies, cake, etc.
  • Find a place near you to go ice skating!

Now On to the Main Event:

While you’re enjoying your new restaurant or pretty view, it’s time to dig deep and feel connected! Use this list of questions below to set goals for yourself, your spouse, and you as a couple. Even better if you write them down and set a reminder to check it at the end of the year to see what all you accomplished!

  1. What health goals do you have for yourself this year? How can I help you accomplish those goals?
  2. What financial goals do you have for yourself this year? How can I help you accomplish those goals?
  3. What work/career goals do you have for yourself this year? How can I help you accomplish those goals?
  4. What relationship goals do you have for us this year? How can I help us accomplish those goals?
  5. What are three goals I should have that you can help keep me accountable with?
  6. Do you think you’re good at accomplishing goals? Do you think I am?
  7. What can I do to be a better encouragement to you?
  8. What’s the best goal you’ve ever accomplished?
  9. When have you been most proud of me? Of yourself?
  10. If you had to summarize your hopes for this year in one word, what would it be?

Want more ideas for DIY date nights? Check out our full list here!

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DIY Date Night | Christmas Crafting

Get in the holiday spirit and have a merry night to remember at home with your love!

‘Tis the season! Buuuut… Sometimes season might not seem quite as merry as you wish it was. Whether you’re hesitant to even start the process of decorating the house or you’re trying to keep your Christmas cheer on a budget this year, this date night will check all the boxes you need to get you in the spirit! The goal is to get in the mood for a great date night, some Christmas crafting, and making decorations out of things you either already have or can pick up at your next grocery run. Let’s get started!

Instructions:

This date night totally depends on how much you love to craft and how creative you want to be! You can either come up with something on your own, or use one of the ideas below to get you started. Be sure to take a look at the list of conversation starters for this date night!

Ideas to Get You Started:

  • Use an empty toilet paper, paper towel, or wrapping paper roll. Cut it into ½ inch strips. Using glue and some gold or silver paint, make star ornaments for your tree!
  • Grab some ribbon, go on a walk outside and find pine cones, and use little trinkets you have around your house to decorate a wreath.
  • Get a white candle, some ribbon, a black and an orange sharpie, a button, and some glue and turn that candle into a snowman!
  • Make a “snow” garland with cotton balls and fishing line.
  • Use a tomato cage (upside down and ends tied to make a cone shape), garland, and lights to make mini Christmas trees.
  • Put ping pong balls on top of Christmas lights to give them an upgrade.
  • Make your fridge or your front door look like a snowman with some black and orange construction paper, and some fabric for a scarf!
  • Make a cone out of cardboard or poster board. Wrap twine or colored string around it so it’s totally covering it. Paint glue evenly all over the twine. Once it’s dry, separate the paper from the twine and you’ll have a little tree!
  • Combine ½ cup hair conditioner (white) and 3 cups baking soda to make fake snow.

Conversation Starters While You’re On Your Christmas Crafting Date Night:

  • What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?
  • What’s the best memory you have about Christmas?
  • If you were served a 3 course meal tonight, what would you want each course to be?
  • What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
  • Favorite and least favorite Christmas songs?
  • Is there an overrated Christmas side dish?
  • What’s your favorite Christmas movie?
  • What’s one food that you would (or do) hide from me during the holidays?
  • Finish this thought, “It wouldn’t be Christmas without _____.”
  • Do you have a favorite ornament? What is it and why?
  • Are there any traditions you want to start this year?

To see a list of all our DIY date nights, click here!

Image from Unsplash.com

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DIY Date Night: The Gratitude Capsule

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, gratitude is on many of our minds. Normally the first things we list when being thankful are the roof over our heads, the clothes on our back, or the food on the table. But what does gratitude look like in relationships? This date night will help you find out! It’s all about showing your honey how grateful you are for them, and helping you realize it, too!

Supplies:

  • 1 jar of some sort (Glass or porcelain jar works best!)
  • 2 full sheets of paper, each a different color
  • 2 pens
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Decorations for your jar (optional)
    • Sharpies
    • Stickers
    • DIY decor

Directions:

  • Each person takes one sheet of paper.
  • Either cut or tear the paper into 10 different pieces.
  • Now, without showing your partner, write down 10 reasons why you are grateful for them and/or your relationship. (Use the questions below to spark a little creativity if you get stuck!) 
    • PRO TIP: Start each one with “I’m thankful for…” or “I’m grateful you…” to keep things on the right track.
  • When both of you are done, put the lid on the jar and decorate it if you would like.
  • Place the jar in a prominent place in your house.
  • Over the next 20 days, take turns pulling out one of the papers and read why you’re thankful for each other!
  • When you run out of slips of paper, have another date night and make more!

Questions to Help Spark Creativity:

  • What’s your favorite thing your partner does for you?
  • What’s your favorite memory of your relationship?
  • What is the best thing that has happened to you because of your relationship?
  • What’s one way your partner balances you well?
  • What first made you fall in love with your partner?

Turn this date night into a marriage challenge with our FREE Marriage Guide: 30 Days of Gratitude and Love! Download it here.

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DIY Date Night | Ready, Set, Cook!

Are you and your honey a little competitive?  Or… maybe more than a little? This DIY, at-home date night will be a great one for you! It’s all about connecting with your love while keeping a hint of competition between the two of you. Check it out below!

Supplies:

  • Two paper bags
  • A semi-full to full pantry/refrigerator
  • An hour or two

Directions:

  • Each person grabs a paper bag.
  • Set a timer for 15 minutes.
  • Spend 15 minutes gathering supplies for your partner to use.
  • At the end of the 15 minutes, trade bags.
  • Set another time for 45 minutes.
  • Next, check out your ingredients in your bag! Your job is to cook a meal for your partner using the ingredients in your bag.
  • Each person will get ONE additional ingredient of their choice (spices not included!)

Questions to ask while eating your surprise meal:

  • What is your favorite memory of us?
  • What’s your least favorite memory of us?
  • How would your life be different without me in it?
  • What food reminds you of me?
  • When did you first know that you liked me?
  • What would be the perfect retirement to you?
  • How often should we make a date night happen?
  • If you had to change your career path, what would you do?
  • Where would you travel to if price didn’t matter?
  • What was the happiest you’ve ever felt?

Want more at-home date nights? Check them all out here!

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