With Valentine’s Day approaching, there's romance in the air. But here at Good People, we believe that date night should be a year-round thing. Of course, over the last year of living under varying levels of restrictions, we've all had to get a bit more inventive around the idea of date night. But we believe that it’s worth a bit of extra effort - especially for frazzled parents.
We’ve been putting our heads together to come up with some fun date night ideas - for life, not just February 14th!
For Better or For Worse
Often the first advice that relationship experts give is for couples to make sure they make time to be alone with one another - and schedule it, if necessary. It was easier when we could put on our heels and book a table at a romantic restaurant… when we’re in our slippers and loungewear at home 24/7 it’s easy to let it slip our minds. We suggest choosing one night a week, writing it on the calendar in the family command centre, and making sure you stick to it, making time to sit down together to enjoy each other. Dress up for the occasion and it’s sure to feel special.
Set a Master Chef Challenge
If you’re not able to go out, why not flex your culinary muscles instead? Each week, take turns to choose a multi-course meal to prepare for one another, and see how the competitive juices start flowing. You could surprise your partner with something completely new, choose a theme, or emulate a dish you ate somewhere that was special to you both. The possibilities are endless!
Take It Outside
Just because restaurants and entertainment venues are closed, there’s no hard and fast rule that you have to stay in on date night. Why not head out together for a “date walk”. This could be a simple wander round the neighbourhood while your kids are at their tennis lesson, or you could get a babysitter and go for a full-day/evening excursion. Snow shoeing anyone? At full moon? What could be more romantic than that?!
Tension Release
Many spas are still open - and supporting local business sounds like a perfect excuse for booking a couple’s massage! If you don’t feel comfortable going to a day spa, there are many technicians who will make house calls. A peaceful couples’ massage one quiet evening after the kids have gone to bed would be a wonderful way to unwind together, and make you forget your worries of the day - at least for a little while.
Travel Back in Time to Your Big Day
We’re not really able to travel anywhere else at the moment, so let’s go back in time. Open a bottle of champagne and sit down to watch your wedding video together. It will take you back to the happiness of the day, and the chances are it will make you cringe a little bit as well! There will be plenty of hilarious moments when you remember something that went wrong on the day or something funny that was said in the speeches. It’s also a way of “inviting” old friends into your home, realising how much you’ve all changed since that day, and making you reflect on how far you’ve come together.
Find Out Each Other’s Love Language
If you don’t already know about the 5 Love Languages, then this could be a game changer for your relationship. The book by Gary Chapman explores how different people express love, and what makes them feel loved. The trick is that often you and your partner’s love language will be different - meaning they need you to express your love for them in a way they can interpret it - and vice versa. If you haven’t already, take this quiz together and prepare to be amazed.
Take-Out? - Take It Up a Level!
We all deserve a break - and, let’s be honest, not having to cook is one of the best things about date night… So why not let somebody else prepare a beautiful meal, and deliver it to you at home to be reheated and enjoyed at your leisure. At Good People we love two local businesses that have taken “take-out” to a whole new level, delivered straight to your door. Check out Dinner Kits by Street Kitchen, they deliver delicious fusion-inspired-flavour-exploding meals that are 80% prepared. You just add the finishing touches and open your favourite bottle of wine and enjoy. They also have a selection of family favourites so your kids can also enjoy the long-lost culinary experiences of restaurants and travel. Our dinnerkits.ch favourites are their Roasted parsnip and lemon soup with herbed croutons, Roasted Aubergine and Fennel Gyozas and their Dan Dan noodles
Another local business we love is, Pâtachou Bakery & Kitchen, which specialises in family style meals. Treat yourself to a night off - or a whole week with a delicious food box!
Book Your Babysitter in Advance
How many times have you cancelled date night at the last minute because your childcare has fallen through? At Good People we’ve got your babysitters covered - and we have back-ups for our back-ups!
Why not book your favourite babysitter one night a week for the next three months - that way you will always have a regular night off to spend together.
Because busy parents deserve a break, and with one of our wonderful child minders in charge, you can rest assured your little ones will be having a special night too, leaving you free to focus on the romance.
Good People is a domestic staffing agency specialising in introducing high quality household assistance. We provide a simple, fast and professional service to recruit trained and vetted staff who match your family values. To discuss what we can do for you, or to join the Good People Club, get in touch today.