Are there any rituals or techniques that you use make date night more special?

[Bradlinc4]

My wife and I are making an effort to eat more at home in place of going out to eat for our date night. One of the things we miss most out about restaurants is the time between courses and the ritual of sitting and having a drink before the appetizer arrives. We find we are more relaxed and have different discussions when we go out. Are there any rituals or techniques that you use make date night more special?

[cool7hand]

-Set an intention or three: e.g., reconnect intellectually, physically, and spiritually.

-Identify behaviors that are incompatible with the intentions you set and eliminate them: e.g., eliminate or set a time limit on talking about the news, family issues, work. After that time limit expires, if either of us thinks of something else, we add it to a list to discuss later so that the idea isn't taking up space in the short term memory.

[ixtap]

We used to do fondue on the coffee table. Different setting than our usual meals and we only had fondue on date nights.

More recently, we do afternoon picnics. Everything is right there, already prepared and no expectations to do dishes, so we.can focus on each other.

[AMandM]

Yeah, the great thing about restaurants is that they do the work for you!
Can you plan meals that don't require last-minute work, so that you can have a drink without needing to be in the kitchen? It will take more advance prep work, of course. For instance, a cold appetizer can sit plated in the fridge, or something can be heating in the oven.

[Captain FIRE]

We have young kids so it’s tough for us to recreate at home, but my folks have done:
- prep so there is minimal work between courses (ideally just take out and plate)
- set the table nicely (tablecloth, flowers from the garden a bonus)
- lighting - candles or dim lights
- ambience - music on quietly
- turn off phones

[Bradlinc4]

Prepping more I think will be key. I need to think of some items we both like and eat. I really like the idea of the fondue at the coffee table.

[sonofsven]

My partner and I actually really enjoy cooking and preparing food together, as a team. We have a lot of fun just doing that, especially if it's a new recipe. We try to make new recipes for ourselves first before we make it for guests. So sometimes the food is a great success,sometimes it's just ok, but we have fun, regardless.
Shared experience can create a strong bond.