8 Tips for Maintaining Date Night At Home

I think we’re all trying to adjust to this ‘new normal’, which naturally looks different for each of us. Of course it’s frustrating at times, and difficult, and sad, but when you think about certain aspects – these circumstances are forcing us to get back to basics. Re-think how we’re spending our time. Or who/what receives the majority of our energy + attention. I know I’ve done that. Isolation may just bring us some much needed clarity we lost along the way – getting all consumed with busy day-to-day tasks, and loosing track of what matters most. Relationships. And {hopefully} relationships with the very people under the same roof as you! I encourage all of you to make the most of this time with loved ones. Try to focus on the good in all of this, and deepen your bonds with one another!

In our home, the day to day actually hasn’t changed too much. Sterling is considered an ‘essential’ business, so he’s still going to the office every day. Don’t worry, it’s just him and my sister-in-law whom we’ve been seeing every day since the beginning. My days have shifted a bit more considering the lack of social + work obligations, but I’m not complaining. Regardless, we’re being much more intentional with how we spend our evenings + weekends together, which has been a wonderful re-set!

One thing that’s made the ending of each week just a little sweeter in our household is maintaining our Friday date nights! There’s no reason you can’t keep date night at home alive + well! So today, I’m sharing a few ways to do just that.

8 Ways to Maintain Date Night At Home

1. Get Dressed Up | Doesn’t have to be anything super fancy, but maybe not your yoga outfit you’ve been in the last 3 days, ya know. I love the easy, breezy maxi I wore for our date night at home a couple weeks ago.
2. Set The Table | It’s those little nuances that make things feel a bit more normal. Don’t feel pressure to whip out the fine china or anything {I mean, go for it if you’re in the mood!}, just do what works best and feels right for the two of you.
3. Create Some Ambiance | Find a fun playlist on Spotify {or make one!}, light some candles, hang some cafe lights – you get the idea. Maybe re-create the vibe of your favorite restaurant if you’re feeling extra ambitious.
4. Make An Appetizer | I’ve found myself becoming a bit of an adventurer in the kitchen these days {shocking, even for me}. So I’ve enjoyed putting those new-found skills to work by creating appetizers for us to nibble on when Sterling gets home from work and we’re waiting for our food delivery. Like this sweet crudité board I created in partnership with Vidalia Onions!
5. Order Take-Out | Support local and order from one of your favorite local restaurants! Sterling and I have gotten in the habit of deciding which restaurant we’re ordering from days in advance. Basically starting Monday, the question is – what should we eat for date night? Haha.
6. Step Up Your Cocktail Game | Splurge on a nice bottle of wine {still WAY cheaper than ordering out} or take a page from My Style Vita and whip up a fancy cocktail for two. Again, just sets the tone that you’re doing something special together, that’s outside the realm of normal quarantine life. As an alternative – a lot of areas are now allowing take-out/delivery of alcoholic beverages. Which is yet another way to support local – yay!
7. Spark Some Convo | I recently ordered a couple TableTopics boxes to spark convo for dinner parties – such a fun concept. But then went back to the site earlier this week to order the ‘couples’ version! Thought it would be a fun way to encourage us to connect and talk about things other then work or housework.
8. Break Out The Games | We’re BIG FANS of games. Usually more in a group setting, but ’tis the time for games for 2. I ordered Scramble this week, but card games, dice games, Yahtzee, etc. would be perfect to whip out on date night.

What are some things y’all are doing to maintain some normalcy in your home right now?!