Has planning date nights turned into a chore? Have you gone tired of going on “spontaneous” dates and ended up being disappointed? Or have you simply run out of fun couple date ideas?
Well, there’s really no use in putting the blame on your partner for leaving all the planning on you. And he can’t blame you if you choose “Netflix and Chill” every so often.
Marriage, or any romantic relationship, for that matter, is always a two-way street. So both you and your partner need to put some effort into planning your dates.
But if the quality of your weekly date nights is getting too mundane, maybe you need to adjust the quantity to make every effort worth it.
Two Dates a Month
Take this couple from Boise, Idaho, who took the stress out of planning dates in the equation and instead committed to a simpler, more practical way of doing it.
Content creator Rosie Piper explained the plan she and her husband Ryan use to keep their marriage fun and exciting. Some of her Tiktok videos have racked up millions of views and counting.
The idea is simple: They commit to only two dates per month. One is a date at home, and the next date is outside their house. To make it fair for both parties, they alternate who is responsible for planning each one.
“So for example, this past month Ry did the at-home date, and I did the out-of-the-house date,” Rosie told Huffington Post. “Next month, I’ll be in charge of the at-home date, and he will do the date out of the house.”
Ryan and Rosie have been together for nine years and despite all the wedding preparations and celebratory events that they spent together, they realised that they had not really made time for intentional dates. That inspired Rosie to create a more structured plan.
“With quality time being such a vital part of our relationship, I thought of the idea to make sure we prioritized this area of our life,” she shared.
“Plus, my husband and I are big planners and like to have planned dates on the calendar, so this helped us make sure we did that monthly.”
Since starting this concept, the couple has seen a lot of benefits on their bi-monthly dates. In her latest video, Rosie talked about the idea and said that this structure gave her and Ryan the creative freedom to do something that they’ve always wanted to do or that the other person has always wanted to do.
Moreover, Rosie shared that it’s brought them together even closer as a couple.
“It’s so easy to get in the routine of just hanging on the couch together or planning time with friends, that dates may just not happen as often,” she said.
“Especially living together, you are always spending time together, but that’s not a date — that is just living! So making this a part of our monthly plan has been something we look forward to and have made some of our favorite memories from it,” she added.
What an Expert Thinks of This Idea
Going on a date twice a month instead of every week? Could this be the answer to the petty fights and disagreements about who’s supposed to make an effort for date night?
Adam Albrite, a marriage and family therapist at Act2Change Therapy & Wellness Center in Atlanta, came across some of the Pipers’ date night videos and approves of the idea.
“Rosie and Ryan’s concept of monthly date nights is fantastic,” he told Huffington Post.
“At first glance, it appears quite simple, right? Both partners are responsible for planning one of two date nights each month, and they alternate between a date night at home and a date night out.
It’s fairly straightforward — which is a good thing actually. In my experience, couples who thrive are open to new experiences. And those can be as simple as monthly structured date nights.”
The therapist also liked the fact that the couple shares the responsibility of planning the dates so it doesn’t all fall on one person’s shoulders.
Simply put, Albright thinks there’s a benefit to keeping date nights relatively simple and low-pressure since it encourages couples to actually follow through on the commitment.
“It’s the small, simple things that give your relationship a boost,” he shared. “Save the elaborate stuff for anniversaries or other very special occasions.”
Creative Couple Date Ideas to Try
Image Source: iStock
Looking for fun yet low-key ideas for your next at-home date with your spouse? Bring the kids to their grandparents, or put them to bed early and try these suggestions for when you two decide to stay in:
- Movie night with homemade popcorn and your (whoever is in charge) choice of film
- Wine tasting with paired cheeses and charcuterie board (you can DIY or order from your trusted supplier)
- Make pizza from scratch (it can get messy, but it will be worth it)
- Game night. Board games or virtual, it’s up to you as long as you challenge each other
- Karaoke night – just keep it down for the neighbours
- DIY ice cream bar – prepare all of your favourite toppings (don’t forget the syrup!)
- Create a “Date Night” scrapbook
- At-home spa day with massages and face masks (take turns giving each other back rubs)
- Indoor picnic with candlelit dinner and blanket fort
- DIY cocktail bar with mixology lessons (you can check YouTube videos for ingredients) and mix your better half’s favourite drink. You can even come up with your own signature drink to commemorate the night.
Meanwhile, these date ideas are worth trying the next time you step outside your home:
- Go on a scenic hike or nature walk
- Picnic in the park with a basket of all your favourite food
- Go to a theme park (just don’t tell your kids you didn’t take them) for a day of thrills and excitement
- Attend a concert of your (or your partner’s) favourite artist
- Ride the cable car going to Sentosa at night
- Visit a new restaurant and try cuisines you’ve never had before
- Stroll through a farmer’s market or local street fair
- Rent a tandem bike and go for a scenic ride
- Go to the spa and get a massage and couple’s treatments
- Visit a nearby town or city for a day trip.
Spontaneity is important in a marriage, but consistency is also key to making sure that you and your spouse are both invested in keeping the fire burning in your relationship.
Image Source: iStock
