Top Five: At-Home Date Nights

Get romantic -- at home! Credit: seyed mostafa zamani, Flickr

Moms and dads (and grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles and cousins) don’t always get the chance to stop and spend quality time together, and often, it’s because they think they need to get all gussied up and make reservations to go on a date.

We’re here to tell you, that ain’t the case. Sure, a fancy dinner out is always wonderful, but you can find romance almost anywhere.

We’ve shared some ideas with you in the past, but not all of them apply in the dead of winter (unless you want to go on a picnic in your parka). Here are some classic date night ideas, with a twist!

1. Dinner and a movie. Put on your sweats, tuck the kids in bed and order a pizza. Add something chocolate and a classic romantic comedy and, viola! Date night at home.

2. Get your sexy on. Yes, we said it, moms and dads sometimes need, ummmmm… private time. Play a friendly game of strip poker or ask each other some racy trivia questions. Just don’t forget to lock the door, folks.

3. Get your groove on. Remember the days when giving the object of your affection a mixed tape was the ultimate declaration of devotion? Get out your laptops and put together an iTunes list that you can download on your MP3 players and listen to when you’re together — or apart. Say it with us … awwwww!

4. Dine by candlelight. Have a family dinner, but serve it on your best dishes and use the candles. Your kids will think it’s awesome, and you and your love can exchange lingering glances over their heads.

5. Go to bed early. Let’s keep it clean, people. Seriously, when was the last time you went to bed at 9 p.m. on purpose? Turn off the boob tube and meet under the sheets for some uninterrupted pillow talk — and then get a good night’s sleep. You will be amazed at how much more you will love your significant other when you are well rested!

How do you do date night? Tell us!