Going out for a romantic night on the town sounds like fun… until you look outside and see blizzarding snow, grey clouds, and treacherous roads. Whether you’re looking for a way to avoid the cold Canadian weather or hoping for a quiet but unique date night in for you and your partner, search no further than these creative ideas:
- Game Night
- Movie Marathon
- A Nice Meal In
- DIY Spa Night
- Art Night
- Virtual Travel
- Puzzle Night
- Wine and Cheese Night
Ready to dive into these creative at-home date night ideas?
Game Night:
Set up a game night by digging out a selection of your favourite board games and card games. The best part? You can let your competitive side out (in a way that hopefully doesn’t hurt any feelings) by challenging each other, or rediscover why you make such a good team by taking on a game together. This is a great way to bond and have fun together.
Movie Marathon:
Write down various themes and genres of movies, dump them in a bowl, and play rock, paper, scissors to decide who picks the film lineup for the evening. From there, grab your popcorn and coziest blankets, and turn down the lights: the movie is starting! This can be a great way to introduce each other to new movies or to revisit old favourites. Plus, if you keep the bowl full of genre ideas, you can have a regular movie marathon date with no repeats! Say goodbye to scrolling on Netflix for 45 minutes wondering what to watch…
A Nice Meal In:
Skip the reservation, and turn your kitchen into a gourmet restaurant! Grab your favourite SPATULA dish from the freezer, and it’ll be like you surprised your partner with a personal chef at a fraction of the cost. Looking for a dish to really impress? Go for our Spanish Saffron-Infused Seafood Paella or Chef Ryan Hinkson’s Honey Bourbon Chicken. Want an easy comfort dish instead? Elevate your childhood favourite with our White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. Staying home doesn’t mean having to sacrifice a delicious restaurant-quality meal or suffering exorbitant delivery fees!
DIY Spa Night:
Selfcare is for everyone, and pampering yourself and your partner can be a real treat after a busy week. Create a spa experience at home by setting up a DIY spa night! Give each other massages, do each other's nails (clear base coats, welcome!), and try out different face masks - bonus points if you act out TikToks with fully green faces! Get as silly as you want, this is the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind together with nobody watching.
Art Night:
Create a mess or create a masterpiece, but either way, the goal is the same: have fun! Set up a night of creativity at home where you both can create your own works of art with any medium: clay, paint, crayons, pencil crayons, markers - whatever you have on hand! Whether it's painting, drawing, or sculpting, this is a great way to tap into your creative side and bond over a shared passion. Want to level up? Exchange your art pieces as a gift for your significant other at the end of the night. Take it even further by setting a timer for 5 minutes and swap canvases every time it goes off! This way, you’ll create collaborative art pieces that reflect both of you.
Virtual Travel:
It’s exciting that travel is starting to pick back up again, but with busy schedules and expensive flights, getting back out there isn’t something we can all do right now. Can’t make your way to Italy or France for your date night? We’ve got you covered. Pick a destination and explore the location together virtually! Create the atmosphere by watching videos like virtual walking tours, look at pictures of famous sites, and plan what you would do on your dream trip. Want to make the experience really come to life? Pair your dinner to match your destination to make the excitement come alive! The flavours of France are found in every bite of Chef Romain Avril's Braised Beef Bourguignon, and the vibrant notes of Italy can be tasted in the bright pesto of our Grilled Chicken Pesto Penne. With these 10 minute dishes, travel has never been faster or more convenient!
Puzzle Night:
There’s nothing like the quiet thoughtfulness of a good puzzle to give you meaningful time with your partner! While working on a challenging jigsaw puzzle, you can either enjoy comfortable silence, chat about your work, align on long term goals, or play an engaging podcast to spark conversation. Puzzles are a great way to spend quality time together while also exercising your brain.
Wine and Cheese Night:
Not everyone is a trained sommelier, but you don’t need to be an expert to find a delicious combination! Pull out your favourite crackers, cheeses, and meats to enjoy alongside a variety of wines for a romantic and sophisticated evening at home. Experiment with different pairings to discover your new favourite combination. Not sure where to start, or want something a bit more substantial to go with your wine? Discover the perfect wine pairing for dinner, courtesy of SPATULA Foods!
No matter what you choose to do, these creative date ideas are sure to make your night at home fun, unique, and memorable. The next time you're planning a night in, consider one of these ideas instead of just inhaling dinner in front of the TV (we’re guilty, too, so we'll be using a few of these ideas ourselves!)