My husband and I probably don’t get enough date nights. Who does? We try, and sometimes we hit a hot streak. We are lucky enough to have grandparents in the picture that will happily take the kids for us to attend an event or go out with friends. We are extra lucky that those grandparents will take the kids on a whim for an evening or sleepover. Sometimes when the kids are gone we are just too tired to go out. So we have perfected the date night at home.
Date night in PJs, can I get an AMEN?! Even though we have a great date night restaurant across the street from our house (yes, seriously). We even both have favorite dishes and cocktails there. However, some nights we are just worn out and prefer to have a few drinks in our kitchen, listening to music, while my husband cooks.
We have been married for almost 9 years. Ask me how many times we have used our wedding china. A few months ago the grandparents decided to pick up our kids and keep them through dinner and bath time. My husband was already cooking us a delicious dinner. I am grateful that he enjoys cooking and is good at it. So I decided to spice things up and whip out the wedding china and crystal. I lit some candles and we had an elegant date in our dining room wearing sweats. It’s amazing how much more romantic our meal was on fancy plates. So go on and dust ya china off.
My husband and I both love a good Vince Vaughn comedy. Recently my kids planned a sleepover at the grandparent’s house, and we had already gone out several times that week alone and with the kids. So we planned an at-home date. My husband got us some gorgeous filets and our favorite veggies. I picked up a bottle of champagne for me and red wine for him. We danced around in the kitchen drinking out of crystal glasses while he cooked (ok maybe just I was dancing). Then I set up our place settings on tv trays in the living room! An excellent meal served on our Vera Wang Wedgewood china while watching Couples Retreat in our pajamas. It was so relaxing and fun. You can’t snuggle in a restaurant when the meal is over. We enjoyed each other’s company and then went to bed early, and woke up refreshed.
The best part about the perfect date night at home is that it is easy to do on the fly. You can serve the kids dinner in another room, and dim the lights and light candles for you and your partner in the other room. Or eat late after the kids go to sleep. You don’t have to go anywhere to get quality time. Just the smallest change and routine can make a huge impact.
