Bungalo Blog

Avoid the pressures of date night out with these cozy nights in.

When your days are jam-packed with work stresses, social obligations, and life responsibilities, it’s common to get locked in to a hectic routine and put romance on the back burner. Pretty soon date night becomes a once-in-a-blue-moon luxury and yet another item on your to-do list.

Thankfully, creating a memorable experience with the one you love doesn’t have to be such a hassle. In fact, we’d argue you can get more out of date night more often by simply staying home. Look to these easy at-home date nights and make time for your relationship without ever leaving the neighborhood.

1. Try a new recipe as a team

Instead of waiting for a table at an expensive restaurant, find some challenging recipes and turn your home kitchen into a farm-to-table restaurant. Go shopping together at your local market, prep a full menu of gourmet courses with wine pairings, and feast as you go. Amateur cooks and seasoned home chefs alike will enjoy a sense of pride in making something as a team. And remember: it’s not about the end result. It’s about who you got there with.

2. Have a vinyl listening party

Doing date night at home means you curate the playlist. And if music is a shared passion between you and your significant other, consider curating not just a playlist, but an entire evening around the songs you love. Break out the sweat pants, cuddle up by the fire, and take turns dropping the needle on your favorite albums. Next, all you have to do is relax, listen, and just be in the moment together. We can’t think of a better reason to free that limited edition vinyl from its plastic sleeve.

3. Set up a private wine or beer tasting

If you and your significant other love visiting breweries and wineries on your downtime, why not host a private tasting under your own roof? Whether your palates prefer IPAs or pinot noirs, at home you can set a tasting menu you both will savor. We’d recommend taking some tasting notes and comparing flavor profiles as a couple. That way you’ll remember what you like later on. Need extra entertainment? Pair the tasting with a few episodes of that show you’ve been meaning to try!

4. Host a game night double date

Whatever stage you’re at in your relationship, game night never gets old. Invite another couple over for some friendly competition and turn an average night inside into a lively double date. Gather around the dining room table to play a classic (like LIFE or Sorry!) or get your Catan on as a group. You can also set up camp around the TV for interactive trivia or virtual bowling. As long as no one flips the Monopoly board, this timeless date night might earn itself a regular slot on your calendar.

5. Go for a neighborhood stroll

At the end of a long day, most of us just want to melt into the couch and chill. But you can make a lot of that little time together by taking nightly walks around the neighborhood. Getting away from the screens for a stroll in the fresh air will give you a chance to really talk about each other’s days (and let the dog get some energy out before bed!). Sure, it’s no big night out on the town. But when it comes to date night, sometimes less… is amoré.

This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, tax, legal, real estate, insurance, or investment advice. Bungalo always encourages you to reach out to an advisor regarding your own situation.