Date Night at Home: Ideas and Gear to Make It Special
Going out costs a lot and takes planning. Date night at home is cheaper, cozier and you can wear sweatpants. The only risk is it turning into another night of scrolling on the couch.
The fix is a theme. Pick one idea, set the mood and put the phones away. Here's the gear for a few of our favorite at-home dates.
- Top pick
35 Scratch-Off Date Night Ideas
35 scratch-off cards with a date on each one. The only rule: once you scratch it, you have to do it. It ends the "what do you want to do?" back-and-forth for good.
Best for: couples stuck in a rut.
Check price on Amazon We're Not Really Strangers: Couples Edition
A conversation card game for two, with three levels of questions that get deeper as you go. Even couples who've been together for years learn something new.
Best for: a phones-down night with a glass of wine or tea.
Check price on AmazonNostalgia 6-Cup Electric Fondue Pot
An electric fondue pot with a temperature dial and six color-coded forks. Do cheese with bread and veggies first, then chocolate with fruit for dessert. It turns dinner into an activity.
Best for: a fancy dinner night with almost no cooking.
Check price on AmazonKITESSENSU Cocktail Shaker Set with Stand
A full bar kit on a stand. Pick two cocktail recipes, make them together and vote on the winner. Works great for mocktails too.
Best for: a "bartender night" date (21+ for the cocktails).
Check price on AmazonAurzen Roku TV Mini Projector
A mini projector with Roku built in. Hang a sheet, pile up the blankets and do a real movie night, inside or in the backyard.
Best for: movie-lover couples.
Check price on AmazonWest Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper
A popcorn maker with a stirring arm. The lid flips into a serving bowl. Movie night isn't complete without it.
Best for: pairing with the projector.
Check price on AmazonFlameless LED Pillar Candles
Flickering LED candles with a remote and timer. Instant mood, no fire risk and no blowing them out at midnight.
Best for: setting the scene for any date.
Check price on Amazon
Honorable mentions
Luna Bean Couples Hand Casting Kit
Make a 3D cast of your hands together. Messy, fun and you keep it forever.
Check price on Amazon
Before you buy
Put it on the calendar like a real date. At-home dates fall apart when they're "whenever we get around to it."
Take turns planning. One person picks the theme this week, the other picks next week. It keeps things fresh, and it's half the fun.