Holly M Nelson

At Home Dates

I had a friend tell me she hardly has dates with her husband because they can't afford it. This hurt my heart. You can have memorable times with your spouse and it won't cost a thing! It's very important to have quality alone time with your spouse. You can spend time alone together after the kids are in bed or if they are quietly watching a movie.

Here are a few of my favorite At Home Dates 

1. Candlelit dinner after kids are in bed:

Make a meal together. Chop vegetables as you have a real conversation(no kid interruptions!) Meal ideas:

• spaghetti, bread, salad
  
• Panko talapia, couscous, Parmesan green beans, cranberry cashew salad
• grill steak, baked potato, bacon and egg salad
• Bang Bang Shrimp over a bed lettuce, sesame asparagus, Emily's salad

2. Watch a movie

Rent a movie from Redbox. Watch a movie from Netlfix.

Romantic Comedies are my favorite(and men love them, too!)

1. Sleepless in Seattle
2. You've Got Mail
3. When Harry Met Sally
4. Hitch
5. Roxanne
6. 10 Things I Hate About You
7. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
8. Kate and Leopold
9. Jerry Maguire
10. Pretty Woman
11. Say Anything
12. The Princess Bride

3. Coffee & Dessert Date

Make decaf coffee, latte, or favorite drink

Make a great dessert to share: chocolate cobbler, ice cream sundaes, cheesecake, pie, brownie a la mode, chocolate chip scones 

Our favorite places to share this dessert: in bed, on the front porch, on the back patio, by the firepit

4. Blanket Under The Stars

Find a great place to lay a blanket out in your backyard. 

If you have a truck, blow up an air mattress in the bed of the truck and top with blankets and pillows.

Lay under the stars for the perfect setting for conversations

5. Play a game

Find a comfortable spot: bedroom, living room floor, outside patio table, kitchen table.

Play a fun board game: Scrabble, Battle of the Sexes, Would You Rather?, Truth or Dare, Couple Links, Apples to Apples, Dirty Minds

6. Fire Pit & Drinks

Sit around the fire pit or small bonfire with quiet conversation. Enjoy your favorite drink. 

7. Couples Spa &Massage

Light candles in the bathroom and give each other the ultimate spa treatment. Cuddle in a warm bath. Give foot rubs. 

After the relaxing take turns giving each other massages.

8. Build a Love Shack

Gather sheets, blankets, pillows, string, tacks and build the ultimate love shack.

purchase a canopy HERE

9. Backyard Camping

Set up your tent for two with air mattress, lots of fluffy blankets and pillows, and lanterns. Sit by the campfire under the stars and spend all night in the tent.

*Set up in your living room if you are unable to go outside*

10. Glow Tag

Looking for some active fun? Get glow sticks or flashlights and play tag in the dark.

11. Pub Night

Make or order in Wings. Set up a dart board and play a few rounds.

12.  At Home Concert

Buy a new Cd/Album together. Listen to it in your bed, living room, or outside under the stars

13. Workout!

To make it fun, have a challenge on who can do the most sit-ups, push ups, jumping jacks,squats, jump squats

14. Walk Down Memory Lane

Break out the old photo albums and reminisce. Watch old home movies, too.

15. Appetizers and Fireplace

Make all of your favorite appetizers or finger foods. Enjoy them sitting by the fire.

16. Chocolate tasting

Buy assorted chocolates and enjoy tasting the different ones!

17. TV Show Marathon

Pick a show you've never seen before and have a marathon. Make sure you don't need to wake early the next morning!

18. Theme Night

• chocolate: Rent Chocolat, eat chocolate, draw on each other with melted chocolate
  
• sports: watch a game, eat hot dogs and cokes and nachos
• Chinese: order Chinese take out, watch Chinese movie( Enter the Dragon, Forbidden Kingdom, Mulan, Coruching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)
• Paris: Rent a movie(Midnight in Paris), eat French Onion Soup & Eclairs
• Italian: The Italian Job or The Godfather, pizza, gelato
• Anime: eat Sushi and watch a Top 10 Anime movie look here---> http://www.greenteagraffiti.com/the-10-anime-movies-you-should-watch/

 More Fun Dates at: 

 The Dating Divas.com/date-nights/at-home/