(Photo circa fall 2017- BPH -before parent hood. A time when we were well rested but not nearly as fulfilled)

Happy Valentines day from the cool parents! Baby Tang is tucked in bed (ok not tucked-but you know what I mean). Anthony is fast asleep on the couch and I am enjoying my glass of wine binging on Gilmore Girls. It isn’t glamorous, but I haven’t had this great of a valentines day in a long time, because these boys spoil me everyday and my heart is overfilled with love. I hope you are enjoying the loved ones in your life today and everyday!

On this Valentines Day, I have put together 15 date ideas for a night in. Let’s be honest, scheduling a date night every week with a baby is a challenge. We very much value the need to continue to date one another, especially now that we have a baby, but scheduling is tough! That leads us to get creative with date night ideas to do at home. I have listed 15 fun ideas below. Some of these are tried and true in our house and some are new! I am already planning out Craft Night for next week! I would love to hear which one you would choose from the list below?

1. Cook a new food–  is there a food you have been dying to try but too anxious to cook? I have always wanted to try a baked chicken cordon bleu. Something about having to tie knots on the meat is completely intimidating. We would have a lot of fun attempting to make this meal turn out.
2. At Home workout– this might not seem like the most fun to everyone and it would take some convincing to get Anthony on board, but I love it when we can head to the gym together. Last year we would go to the gym once a week and then head to dinner. Since we would now have to get a babysitter for this weekly date night, I am going to put together a workout we can do together once H is down for bed. Anyone else workout with their partner?
3. Movie Night– self explanatory I know and quite possibly boring. But we try to sit down for a movie once a week. We inevitably fall asleep but it is a time we can put our phones down and watch the same thing on the same device.
4. Chopped– We are definitely doing this soon. Make your own chopped studio at home. Pick out a few ingredients for an appetizer, main course, and dessert. You each have the opportunity to make up a recipe and surprise one another with your creativity.
5. Game Night for Two– On our first anniversary I followed the yearly gift suggestion -paper- and I gifted Anthony several games that we could play together as a couple. All of the games were great for just 2 people. Our favorite of the bunch are SPOT IT, BananaGram, and  QWIXX.
6. Spa Night– Bubble bath, bottle of champagne, facials, at home pedicure- you know, all the luxurious things.
7. Living room Picnic– this works well with takeout- keep it simple! Any blanket would do, but I really like this one.
8. Sleepover– basically sleep in another room and recreate those awkward middle school sleepovers- but now with your partner and best friend.
9. Craft night– paint your pet night, make a candle, anything that gets your creative juices flowing. Its amazing how your communication can improve when you have a fun challenge to tackle. I want to tackle this paint by number on our next date night. Should we do it together or have our own canvas?
10. Homemade Pizza night– easy-peasy. Our tip- pick up the pre-made pizza dough from trader joes or your local grocery store.
11. Dance Party– We like to blast our record player and just dance. Sometimes it is the waltz, sometimes we swing dance, other times we slow dance. We have also started doing this with H in our arms and he loves it.
12. Cupcake Wars– mimic the Food Network show and whip up a cupcake with unique flavors and decorations. Make it a competition by separating and each making your own variety You be the judge, but ultimately everyone wins!
13. Cheese Tasting– we love this date. We will pick up a variety of new wines, cheeses, and olives and taste test. It helps us narrow down what our favorites are and allows us to explore a few of our favorite things.
14. Take Out by Candlelight– don’t you love when the power first goes out and you have to walk around the house with a flashlight and candle? (ok-maybe it is the worst, but for a moment it is sort of romantic with all of the peace and quiet) Recreate the serenity with a candlelit dinner. Make it even better with food you don’t have to prepare or clean up!
15. Build a fort/tent in the living room– Tent building isn’t just for the kids. Finally make use of all those decorative pillows you have around the house and build yourself an epic tent. Lay under it, talk about your day, whatever- just pretend you are a kid again and break from the real world.

We are always looking for more ideas for future date nights. Are there date ideas that you have tried with your partner? Let us know in the comments below!