Date night ideas

(Heather Long)


Having a date night is an ideal way to spend time with your spouse when you both seem to be running in opposite directions all day long. All the self-help and marriage tips guides suggest a 'date night' especially after a couple becomes parents. Unfortunately, setting up a date night takes Special Forces planning, a designated drop zone and a minimum of three separate times for deployment.

You just never know what's going to come up and it always seems to happen on the one night you plan to spend some quiet time together. Your daughter gets the sniffles. Your sister has a crisis. You just picked up a new project that has to be turned around in 24 hours. You're exhausted and as much as you want to do something, neither of you can keep your eyes open.

There's always something.

So here's some new ideas for spicing up a spontaneous date night because you never know when you'll get a few hours to yourself.

Movie Marathon from the Year You Met

Sometimes you can't decide on a movie to watch and haggling over a title can take away precious minutes from your time together. Rather than haggle, Google movies made the year you met. Pick two titles from the first ten you find. You may get some stinkers or you may find some gems - either way, you get something to watch that you can either shred with humor or enjoy!

Movie Marathon from the Years You Were Born

This is a similar theme to the idea about, but it falls in line with watching a movie you may have never seen. For example, I was born in 1972 - that was the year Nixon got into trouble. Digging up movies from 72 gives us a chance to see how the world looked before we were out of diapers!

Make Up Your Own Trivia Questions

This one takes a little planning. Sit down with about a dozen note cards and write down some trivia questions about yourself and add some multiple-choice answers. Then roll the dice and play the game with and against each other. You get a chance to know your partner better and test your own knowledge. It can be as fun or serious as you like.

Play Dress Up - Have a Formal Dinner at Home

This one is a particular favorite of mine. Once upon a time and in some circles today it is traditional to get dressed up in formals before a meal. Take the time to have a formal dinner. Set up a couple of tapered candles and enjoy a 'formal' meal together. Even if you aren't into the pomp and circumstance, try to get into the mood. Role-play - you might find yourself having a good time in spite of yourself and it's definitely a way to escape from the every day.

Play Hooky

Every once and a while, my husband and I just blow off some responsibilities or work for a couple of hours and take off to go somewhere together. We may go to the bookstore, the mall or just for a drive. It can be nice to feel a little bad and play hooky from life while our kiddo is at Pre-K. Two weeks ago, we went out to the movies on a Friday morning at 9 a.m. Not everyone may be able to do this, but if you get the chance - enjoy the thrill!