I’ve always like the idea of “dating my husband”, I think all too often the routine takes over and you end up being more flat mates that occasionally have sex (very occasionally) like that “friend” you may or may not have had in your early twenties. Ahem.
We “date” as often as we can really, spending time together is tough and even more so when you both work full time and have 3 kids, but it’s important so we do our best to go out for meals, head to the cinema or just take a trip into the city for some shopping and a bit of a break from the kids. When I’m with Adam and it’s just us, it’s easy to remember why I fell in love with him and why I’m still in love with him nearly a decade on… but there are those times that we haven’t been able to spend any “grown up” time together for a few months other than stolen minutes at 10pm when we are both splayed out on the sofa, exhausted and unable to really appreciate the time. What happens then, if you don’t have childcare, or you simply can’t get OUT out for a date because it costs a fortune that you just don’t have?
Bring the date to you.
How? I hear you cry! How can you bring a date to you? Simple… Netflix and chill was not built on cinema dates friends, but on bringing the date to the home.
So, ideas for bringing the date to you?
- Dinner date
It doesn’t really matter who the cook is in the house, or if you buy take away. Put the kids in bed, or better yet send them to family/friends for the night , and have a proper dinner together. I’m talking get dressed up, set the table, light candles and drink good wine TOGETHER. You might not have the luxury of going out and being waited on but sod it, you have each other and a meal for £10 from M&S is just as romantic done right.
- Convert your garden into a romantic space.
Best thing about converting a garden? You are actually getting out OUT without having to have a babysitter as you can put the kids in bed and take the monitor outside. If you have decent weather, take some food outside, blankets and candles. Snuggle up on your garden seats, blanket and just enjoy the fresh air. It doesn’t have to be for ages but it puts a stop to the staring at the TV and getting the glaze.
- Convert your garden shed or even garage into a bar.
So the weather is shite and you can’t use the garden? No dramas, take inspo from the London Hot Gin bar that just opened up and create a mini bar in your concrete shed like these from lidget. No, I’m totally not having you on, all you need is blankets, candles (perhaps a patio warmer if it’s mega cold) and garden sofas. Or a blanket on the floor with cushions. I loved this idea because it brings back memories of our first family holiday where we would put the sprogs to bed, make our way out to the balcony and have a few cocktails. In this case, hot cocktails (or even hot chocolate) are a dream come true.
- Slumber party
Go retro and indulge your inner big kid! Get the bambinos in bed, order a pizza (or if your local pizzeria is as bad at delivering the right order as mine, buy one at the super market and cook it!), get into bed and watch a movie together while you eat your pizza! Not that kind of movie… dirty beasts.
- Have an indoor picnic
We do this frequently for the kids, like once or two a month and even once or twice a week in the holidays. It’s fun and they love it – so why shouldn’t grown ups? Crack out the vino, buy all the delicious snack style food, lay out a blanket and some cushions and either watch a movie or just enjoy talking away until bedtime.
What are your favourite ideas for dating your husband IN the house?
H x
Love these ideas. Thank you
Fab points I know I really need to make the effort with my hubby and these ideas are just perfect x thank you
Ahh thanks Emma!
First of all let me say that I love your doggy 🙂 This is an awesome post and I do this all the time specially because my hubby has crazy work hours and sometimes he is too tired to leave the house. So I cook something delicious, make some desert and we order a movie or we play a game or just talk about like etc…
Awesome post loved it!!
Leslie xoxo
Ahh thanks Leslie! EVERYONE loves Yoda – he even has his own IG account haha!
Love how creative some of these ideas are! How cute…i like the sound of indoor picnic or slumber party. It just makes it seem more like reminding you that not just in relationship, but each other’s best friend! x
Thank you 🙂
I love this! We try and date as often as we can and even when we don’t have the kids (rarely) we date at home we will choose a movie and buy snacks etc. I love dates at home as I can turn up in comfort and be a bit of a slob lol
Best way Jade!
ooi love our dates when and where we can,its not what it is but what I brings
I so agree lovely x
Fab tips for a date night for boring old couples like us. Thanks for sharing H x
Haha thanks lovely!
Sounds lovely and you have given me some ideas, thanks!:)
Ahh thank you, pleased it helped!
I love this post and feel sad really as my second marriage failed 19 months ago after 9 years together mainly because we never spent any time together as a couple its so important
Oh hun, so sorry to hear that xx
You have some really good tips here. We don’t really have time for date nights and going out with 3 mini ones isn’t very appealing when your tired but doing something at home even if it involves the kids is more doable.
Thank you!
Well what can I say this is genius!!! I’m on it! All over it! ❤️❤️❤️
Ahh thanks!
This is so important for any relationship! Taking the time to appreciate eachother it truly worth it in the end!
Thank you x
Awwwh!! I really love these ideas!! I think its so important wven when you can’t find the babysitters or think you dnt have the time to make sure you squeeze that date night in each month at least! I’ll be taking your suggestions on board!!
That’s fab to hear!
There are some great ideas here. I like the idea of a slumber party x
Thanks, that’s my fave too!
I think that is a lovely way of keeping the romance alive even with kids when you have a dinner date. That is so cute x
Thanks doll x
I absolutely love this post!! The slumber party sounds like the perfect date for me. Will definitely be suggesting my partner and I have one of those soon, haha.
Ashton xx
Thanks lovely xx
Some great ideas i enjoy date night at home with hubby and there are so great ideas of things u can get up to other than a movie.
Ahh fab, thanks!
These are all wonderful ideas for dates without leaving home. I do think it is very important to not just fall into that routine of taking each other for granted and not spending any special one on one time together. We have to nurture our relationships with our significant others. I really like the ideas using your garden or garden shed, they have the added advantage of getting out of the house.
It really is Sarah, it’s so damn easy to do!
Beautiful ideas, it’s good to switch it up and also save money and making do with what you have kids. I like the indoor picnic & slumber party -pretty cool xo
Thanks doll xx
Fabulous ideas! Too often it is easy to slip into that rut which leads to just friendship, but taking the time to do something special would really be lovely. Thank you for sharing these x
Ahh thank you x
We really need to be better at doing things like these, we hardly ever get any time together and when we do it often goes wasted. These are some great ideas!
Us too x
I love this post, I think it is important to have a date night with your husband, we have started doing this a bit more now and it is lovely x
Thanks lovely x
Some lovely ideas! Great for people on a budget or with kiddies! xo
Thank you xx
Great tips here – I love the idea of having an indoor picnic x
Thanks lovely x
I love the idea of a slumber party date. It must be so hard when you have kids to continue to date x
Thanks Rhian x
On the indulging your inner bid kid theme, we sometimes go down the board game route: Cluedo, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit etc.
Thanks!