Date Night Ideas to Keep the Romance Alive
Sex for men is like breathing. Don’t get enough and we feel anxious and need to go searching for it. Get too much and you feel overwhelmed and need to retreat. Though, most of us could only dream of the latter happening.
And then there’s the Goldie Locks effect or the “just right” phase. Each man has his ideal threshold. But ladies, once a week (or less) is not it.
When you were a young buck, your recovery time was probably pretty short. Multiple times a day was the norm. Now that you’re older, it takes a bit longer to recuperate.
Like an introvert who needs a day to recover from a two-hour mingle, we too need a day or two to recover.
Unfortunately, we’re not going to get the right amount if we neglect our wives. It’s our job to ensure we keep the romance alive. If you want the reward, you have to put in the effort.
One way to do that is by having regular date nights with your wife. They’re a wonderful way to keep that spark alive, allowing you to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company away from the everyday stresses.
Romantic At-Home Date Nights
When some hear the words “date night” they automatically get stressed. Not from trying to come up with romantic ideas, but because of the potential money involved.
Maintaining a vibrant and romantic connection in marriage is essential for a healthy, thriving relationship. And no one said you had to add more stress by spending a lot of money (or any) in the process.
Sometimes, the best dates are those spent in the comfort of your own home. Here are a few ideas for when you want to keep things simple yet meaningful.
Candlelight Dinner in the Backyard
Not only is this easy and practical, it doesn’t require a ton of effort. Simply transform part of your backyard into a romantic haven with fairy lights, candles, and a homemade dinner.
One way to make this happen is with a folding table, table cover, two chairs, some table lights or candles, food, and drinks. Put on some light music and escort your bride for a romantic dinner made for two. Then enjoy the serenity of your own space while sharing a meal under the stars.
Dinner and a Movie with a Twist
Perhaps you and your wife are movie lovers. Make it a fun night by having a movie-themed dinner. What this means is having food that’s based on the movie.
For instance, let’s say you’re going to watch one of the Fast and Furious movies. Perhaps you could theme it with some fast food and Coronas. Then cozy up and enjoy the movie “One-quarter mile at a time.”
DIY Spa Night
Another idea could be to pamper yourselves with a do-it-yourself spa night. This doesn’t have to be complicated either. Light some candles, put on some soft calming music, draw a nice warm bath with some essential oils in it, and soak together.
Ephesians 4:2-3 says, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Here’s an essential oil starter kit with the top 6 aromatherapy oils. My wife likes to put in a little Dr. Teal’s oil or Epson salt too.
Here’s one of Dr. Teal’s Relax and Relief bath kits.
Adventure and Exploration Date Nights
For those who are more of the outdoors type, some time outside would ignite your fire better than being cooped up at home.
If so, then perhaps these suggestions might be perfect for adding a little adventure into your relationship.
Hiking and a Picnic
Find a local park with some trails. Then, go on a hike together. When you’ve worked up an appetite, either find a spot along the way or go back to the park for your picnic.
The picnic backpack pictured below is similar to the one my wife and I have. We like it for several reasons. It has everything you need for a picnic (minus the food and drink). As a backpack, it’s easy to transport. Much easier than the baskets of old. And, we use it for other things as well. Like taking food and snacks for the kids when we go on trips.
Geocaching or Treasure Hunt
If you’ve never heard of geocaching, it’s treasure hunting using GPS. Believe it or not, but there are geocaching hunts all over the world. We live in a smaller town in northeast Florida and there are over 500 in our surrounding area.
Simply install the Geocaching app on your phone (it’s free), sign up for an account (there are premium versions but I just use the free one), grab a pen, and head out on your adventure.
For more on Geocaching, visit https://www.geocaching.com/play.
Of course, you could also hide the treasure on your own. Create some clues and allow her to find the treasure. I’ve done this multiple times with my wife. It’s a lot of fun.
Both are a lot of fun and cost nothing more than your time and a little creativity.
Explore a Nearby Town or City
Since we’ve only lived in Florida for a couple of years, this is a good way to learn the area better. Have you heard that the best way to learn your way around is to get lost?
Perhaps you can take your bride to a nearby town or city that you’re not familiar with and walk around. Of course, be smart about it and take precautions to ensure your safety.
Some small towns have cute little business districts that are fun to visit. Maybe you’ll find their city park and have a nice picnic. Or perhaps visit one of their restaurants for the first time.
Creative and Fun Date Nights
Whether you and your wife are the creative type or not, these suggestions are a lot of fun. Although this article is for couples, it can be fun for the whole family.
Take a Painting Class Together
Whether you’re a skilled artist or a novice, these can be a lot of fun. My wife and I have canvas paintings throughout the house of when we did these together.
The classes we went to had an instructor to help along the way. Also, there were multiple paintings to choose from. However, in my experience, the instructor usually just worked on one.
To make things interesting, the places we went sold wine to enjoy while painting. The class sizes vary. Either way, everyone seems to have a great time in these classes.
If you find a class in your area, I would caution you with this one thing. Clean your paintbrush in the water and not your wine (it happens more often than you might think).
Board Game and Puzzle Night
Many board games require four or more players to be fun. But there are those designed for only two. Games like Battleship, Checkers, Chess, and Tic Tac Toe to name some oldies but goodies.
Maybe try your hand at the game based around Blockbuster Video, Blockbuster and Chill. Or perhaps a little Tetris board game style. Then again, it could be just as fun to grab a simple deck of cards (e.g., War, Go Fish, Kings in the Corner, Poker, etc.).
Solving puzzles is also something the two of you can tackle. And don’t limit your thinking to jigsaw puzzles either. Puzzles like Jenga, KerPlunk, Kanoodle, and Blokus Duo.
Whether you’re playing board games or solving puzzles, it’s a great way to enjoy each other’s company while engaging in some friendly competition or teamwork.
Cooking Challenge
What do you think about getting a little hot in the kitchen? Well, hopefully not too hot. Taking on a cooking challenge could either solidify or liquefy your relationship. Just kidding (but it sounded good).
Whether you’re a gourmet chef or known for burning pop-tarts, having a fun cooking challenge could be the perfect recipe for your marriage.
Now, this cooking challenge doesn’t have to be a competition. Of course, if you want it to be then by all means. Perhaps you can tackle a new recipe together for those not up for going head-to-head with your wife in the kitchen.
I know, two cooks in the kitchen might be one too many for some. Then again, working together might be exactly what both of you need. 1 Peter 4:9 says “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
Learning to control your tempers when the temperature gets hot. Sorry, but the puns keep coming.
You can include the kids as the judges in this activity. Perhaps pair the Cooking Challenge with the Dinner and Movie with a Twist. Maybe it’s a Knives Out kind of night. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. It was there perfectly for the Taken.
By incorporating these date night ideas into your marriage, you can keep the romance alive and continue to grow closer as a couple. Remember to build your relationship on the foundation of love, respect, and faith, using scripture as your guide.
If you found value in this article, consider reading Intimacy and Romance in Marriage.
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