20 Date Night In Ideas

The holidays are such a busy time of the year, but making time for our significant other can't go by the wayside. But, it's hard to justify going out at this time of the year, too! It's expensive and you might have just spent too much money on gifts. Plus, you're tired. Staying in and getting comfy in your favorite loungewear probably sounds a lot better than getting into your skinny jeans and finding a sweater that goes with your cute new shoes. However, it's so easy to fall into a rut and find yourself and your significant other sitting on the couch, staring at your phones, and mindlessly letting the TV run in the background. We've all been there, and sometimes we all just need a mindless night doing these things, but as we continue through the holiday and into the coldest time of the year, let's all remember to try make that time with your other half count.

So, per the request of a friend (and as a necessary reminder to myself too!), here's a list of 20 Date Night In Ideas for you to check out.

1. Ask each other road trip questions. Here are a few sites where you can find a variety of questions:
- 167 Road Trip Questions
- 50 Questions to Ask Your Partner on a Trip
2. Play a game.
- Here's a link for great two player card games
- Play Would You Rather? Here are some of those types of questions
3. Cook together! This could take on a lot of forms. Here are some suggestions:
- Have a cook off. Plan to cook the same thing and try each other's dish. Be honest about whose is best.
- Have a favorite type of ethnic food? Make that together.
- Put together a three course meal and cook it together or place one person in charge of the different courses.
- Make homemade pizza
- Have breakfast in bed and get cozy!
4. Get hooked on a new show & chat about it together.
5. Plan your next weekend away (for your family or sans kids!)
6. Watch a movie you both haven't seen. Pop some popcorn, grab your favorite snack, and get cozy together.
7. Pay tribute to your birth year or wedding year and watch a movie from that year. Click here to find a list of the best movies by year from AMC.
8. Good weather? Sit outside, have a drink, and chat. No technology!
9. More good weather? Go for a walk together. 
10. Make the ultimate ice cream sundaes at home - good ice cream and all the best toppings.
11. Have a wine, cheese, and/or chocolate tasting. Grab a variety of wine (I'd suggest a dry white, like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay and a sweet white like a Reisling. Do the same for red. My favorite dry red is a Malbec, but you could do a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot. Add a sweeter red such as a Pinot Noir or even sweeter, a red Zinfandel. Pair with a verity of cheeses - manchego, cheddar, pepper jack, brie, parmesan, gruyere, or gouda. Then, add some chocolates. Milk, white, dark, etc.
12. Create your own spa experience - give each other massages (use a massage oil!) or take a bath together. Need I say more? 😉
13. Light the fireplace or fire pit (if it's nice out) and make s'mores.
14. A year in review! Pull out the old pics and reminisce. 
15. Get creative! Do a craft or have a DIY wine & paint night.
16. Learn your love language(s) and talk about how you can meet your partner's love language. Click here for a Love Languages Quiz and explanation.
17. Pick a book to read together. Sit down, get comfy, and stop reading periodically to chat.
18. Create a bucket list. Share your list with your partner, see if there are any matches, and figure out how to carry out whatever list item(s) may match.
19. Do a puzzle together. 
20. Plan your next date night OUT. While there are lots of good things about staying in, I believe it's important for couples, especially those with kids, to get out! My husband and I are working on doing better with this ourselves. Find a new restaurant in your area. Find a place to make pottery or do a wine and paint night near you. Go ice skating. Head to the nearest big city (if you're close) or just somewhere out of the town where you live. Whatever it is, figure out where you're going out next and when. Pick a place, pick a day, find a babysitter, and stick to it.


If you want some other creative ideas and have some money to spend, check out these date night in boxes from a few different companies. While I have not used any of these companies and have just started to explore this idea of date night in boxes myself, these three companies look like they each have something different to offer. Some offer single date night boxes and others are subscriptions, but they all look like they'd provide a unique experience while allowing you and your significant other to interact, laugh, and spend some good quality time together.

Crated With Love

Date Night In Box

Date Box Club