A recent survey has found that date nights are falling by the wayside- so here are just a few of the reasons they have been put on the back burner and what you can do to reclaim date night with your partner.
Relationships on Female First
‘We can’t afford it’- Every traditional date night out costs. Whether you go for a meal, to the cinema, the theatre, the zoo or ice-skating there is always a fee attached to activity led romance. Not all couples can live up to the date nights out we see on TV and in the movies.
Top Tip- If your budget doesn't allow for such outings- consider doing something that costs nothing or very little. A walk- perfect now the nights are lighter and sunnier. A picnic- you can throw whatever you have got in the fridge and in the cupboards in the basket and get cosy in your local park. Visit your nearest museum- many museums are free to get into and- you never know- you might just learn a thing or two. Go to your local cafe, grab a drink and have a chat.
‘We have a busy work life’- As couples become increasingly busy in their professional lives- late nights, working at weekends and preoccupation with occupation can get in the way of some quality time together.
Top Tip- Don’t resent one another or feel guilty. You probably both have to work in order to pay the bills so resenting your partner for coming home late is not going to get you anywhere. Similarly, you shouldn’t feel guilty if you have a responsibility to each other and your role.
Make the most of the time you do have together. If you or your lover comes home with only a couple of hours left before bed- throw on a movie and eat dinner together or of you have less time- an episode of a show and snuggle up for 20 minutes. If all you have time for is a cuddle in bed or a quickie- so be it. It doesn’t matter how long it is- just make sure you get something out of the day for your relationships. The point is- don’t waste time focusing on the fact that you have demanding jobs as you will miss out on the time you could be enjoying each other.
‘We have too many social commitments’- Between birthdays, weddings, christenings and every other celebration throughout the year- you can find that your nights out are taken up by going to other people’s events rather than making time for your own.
Top tip- Plan ahead. If you are going to someone’s party on the Saturday night- make sure you spend Sunday or Friday together. Or you could leave early from and event you’ve been invited to so you can have some time together between the sheets as opposed to getting home late and leaving no time or energy for intimacy.
Also ask yourselves- do you have to go to them all? You are allowed to say ‘no’ if you feel your relationship is suffering as a result.
‘We’d rather stay at home’- This is great if you make the effort to call it a ‘date night at home’- but most couples opt to stay in and then fall into the trap of doing some washing or tidying or talking about unsexy stuff like work and money.
Top tip- If you are having a date night in- put all other jobs aside- prepare your food beforehand and make a pledge not to talk about anything but your relationship at the table. Or take in a movie and spend the two hours or so in each other’s arms. Or you may not feel like talking at all- you might wish to go straight to the bedroom and let your moans and groans do the talking.
‘We don’t need to have more regular date nights’- Some couples are happy with once a month or even once every few months- but the temptation here is to let your plans drag on and not maximise their potential.
Top tip- If your date nights are few and far between- make sure that you put your commitment on the calendar, stick to your promise and make an effort when it comes around. Get dressed up, save up your money so you can feel a little but indulgent when it does come around and make the most of your time together.
And…
There are couples out there who are content with just classing every night they are alone together as a date night, which is great, but remember- it never hurts to change things up and have a treat every now and again.
Original research by Tastecard.
tagged in Date Night Couples