Oh, Valentine’s Day. This is my… Ninth? Nope, eighth Valentine’s Day with Mr Gutierrez and I wish I could say that this is some amazingly romantic holiday. Since having my oldest, it hasn’t really been something that we have gone all out on. Booking a babysitter is hard. Making plans is annoying. Especially when you rely on your significant other to take care of all of that!
But since Valentine’s Day is the day of love, and is really about both of you, this year, I would challenge you to be the one to take initiative. Mr Gutz and I take turns. If I plan Valentine’s, he plans our anniversary. And each year we swap.
You don’t have to spend big bucks, or even book a babysitter to make the evening special and show each other that you care. We have had some very creative date nights on Valentine’s Day through the years…
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No Babysitter, No Problem
We have date night EVERY weekend. But we don’t really want to budget in a babysitter every week. One of the best at home date nights is thinking outside the box and cooking dinner together in the kitchen.
At Home Date Night Requirements
- Get dressed up. Put on a dress, or wear your partner’s favorite outfit.
- Put on some lipstick. Get a little glam. A spritz of perfume. You are going on a date, even if you aren’t leaving the house!
- No phone. But seriously, NO PHONES. Put them away in another room.
Sushi Night – Grab an inexpensive sushi making kit and a rice cooker to make things simple. Get your gyoza from Trader Joe’s and a bottle or two of your favorite wine and cozy up together in the kitchen. I’m dying to try this Shaggy Dog roll!
Wine and Cheese Pairing – This might take a bit of research and planning, but we love doing a charcuterie board for date night. We head to Eataly during the day with my oldest, pick out a few cheeses and cured meats, some fresh fruit and some fancy crackers. Your cheese monger should be able to recommend a wine for each cheese you choose. And don’t forget to grab an extra special dark chocolate bar to share for dessert.
Get Competitive – Order pizza and take a little step back in time and pull out your favorite game. Mr Gutz and I can go pretty hard at a round of Monopoly. And don’t get me started on Ticket to Ride or Mario Kart. Make things interesting by placing a few sexy bets on the winner.
Or if you are feeling a little extra, you could totally play some more adult games!
Out on The Town
The Day Date – For whatever reason, these always seem easier to schedule in for us. But there is just something so nostalgic about spending awake hours with your partner and no kids. Like the good old days!
Go see a movie, check out a museum, or try out an escape room! Just do something intentional that isn’t grocery shopping.
Relive the Glory Days – Reenact your first date, where you met or something you used to do in the early stages of dating. We love going to the bar where we met and reminisce the good old days.
Go All Out – If you are really wanting to go all out, plan something special. Get some last minute tickets to see a play, find a concert playing near you, or book in a reservation at the restaurant you always say you will go but never do.
The Staycation – This one is probably my favorite date ever. Book in a night at a hotel and get away from it all. Just spend a romantic night in bed with your lover and play vacation right in your home town Get dressed up to the nines. Get a blowout. And throw on some sexy lingerie. You won’t regret it.
