Fun Mid-Week Date Nights

Even though we don't have kids, it can take some effort to spend the evening focused on each other.  Chores and projects happen mostly after dinner, and that's okay, but it's nice to have a date night every now-and-then.  Going out is great, but sometimes it's just nice to stay at home all evening after a long day out and about.  And sometimes we've spent all of our allotted date-night money.  Solution?  An at-home date night.  For us, these mostly happen spontaneously, but here are some of our favorite ways to spend an evening together.

1) Play Monopoly Cards.  This is the best game ever.  You can find it at Walmart, Target, Toys-R-Us or anywhere for about five bucks.  It's one of the few games that is actually fun with two people, plus it's fast and super competitive.  (For those of you that have a viscous edge, there are cards called Sly Deal, Forced Deal, and Deal Breaker).  If competition just for the sake of competition is not good enough for you, raise the stakes with a "prize" for the looser.  Be like us and make it a run through the snow and a snow angel in your swimsuit.

2) Turn off the TV.  Sit together and read books.  We don't read the same thing usually, but it's really cozy and relaxing.

3) Cook your best meal.  Set the table and light the candles.

4) Grill out and sit on your patio to eat your meal.  We don't have outdoor furniture, so we just drag out a portable table and throw a tablecloth over it.

5) Dress up.  Don't look like you've been working all day, or cleaning all day, or whatever you've been doing.  It doesn't have to be crazy- but just swapping sweats for jeans will make everyone feel better.  We try not to let Captain Sweatpants live in our house.

6) My love language is words of affirmation.  If you know me, you have probably figured that out.  If this is your spouse's love language, and even if it's not, grab any old notebook and make it your love note book.  Nathan started this when we were dating, and instead of having a bunch of little notes floating around, it's all here.  It's so fun to flip through, and there are a lot of pages left for our future years together.

7) Bake cookies together.  It's fun, and who doesn't like warm cookies?  We ALWAYS make chocolate chip, so I'm thinking I need to branch out and try this recipe.

8) Watch each other's favorite movies, even if his is really scary.

9) Order a pizza and watch your favorite sports game together.

10) Ignore your email, phone, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, blog, blogs you like to look at, iPod, iPad, Google +, chat and Skype.  It will be there when your date night is over.