plan to go out by staying in


Getting out of the house and spending a night on the town (without kids!) is fun and everyone should do it as often as possible. But, a date night at home could be just as fun and who knows what it could lead to. You and the hubby (or significant other) will enjoy it.

With a little imagination and planning, an evening in can be filled with so many memories that you might want to do it more often. And, whether you spend a little money or a lot, the most important thing is to just be together and enjoy.

don't forget the babysitter

Drop the kids off at grandparent's house or someone that you trust. Don't just wait until they go to bed. It's not the same.

Prepare one of your specialty dishes cooked especially for him. I know, I can hear you now -- you want me to cook, like I don't do that already!!

Well, nothing says loving like something in the oven that emits a delicious aroma as your mate walks in the front door. Offer a glass of wine or champagne and lead him to a comfortable seat while waiting for you to serve.

Cook a meal together. You could keep it simple such as making a pizza or grilling a steak outside on the smoker. Or, you could pick a more complicated recipe from one of your favorite celebrity chefs and try it out. Whether or not the meal turns out well you’ll have a great time sharing stories as you cook.

Don’t forget dessert and soft music for dancing. When you’re home it’s easy to dance like nobody’s watching.

Throw a blanket on the ground in the back yard and watch shooting stars. This could be something to do after dinner at home. Conversation seems to come easy at night with a canopy of stars overhead. If you want to kick it up a notch, gaze at the moon and stars through a telescope. Impress hubby with some research you've done on the heavenly bodies and relate a few impressive facts, or not.

Rent a romantic movie and pop popcorn. There are so many romantic movies that are best shared with someone you love. Some of the oldies may be best such as Casablanca or Night to Remember. And, believe it or not a scary movie can sometimes be romantic and lead to snuggling.

Play board games, cards, and dominos or work a jigsaw puzzle together. Inexpensive games can be found at the local thrift store or at yard sales. Prizes for the winner will make the games more exciting (get creative!). 3D puzzles are very challenging and can be built to be permanently displayed as a memento of your time together. Have a few snacks and beverages and your evening is complete.

Fix up a piece of old furniture together you may have found at a garage sale or unfinished furniture store. This may take more than one evening and you can anticipate doing the next step such as sanding, painting or decorating the finished piece.

Each person could decorate with their own particular flare. Even if it turns out looking bad, it was worth it for the time spent together and you can look at it later and laugh. Don’t forget to have snacks ready for breaks or order in.

With the rising cost of going out, date nights in are becoming the more in thing to do.