1. Dress up
Many of us are working from home more than usual, so why not use this as excuse to ditch the lounge-wear (or gym gear) and get a little dressed up? Want to take it to another level? Pick a theme for your night in; think ’80s, black tie or Hawaiian. The list is endless – let your imagination run wild.
2 . Get cookin’
There’s something so satisfying about making a dish from scratch. Dust off those recipe books or try your hand at whipping up our three-cheese ravioli recipe.
If you’re not into spending a chunk of time in the kitchen, slow cooker recipes are a great way to serve up an impressive dish, think beef bourguignon or Osso Buco. Best of all, your ‘star dish’ can be simmering away while you’re working. An added bonus, slow cookers tend to use less energy than standard ovens.
3. Order in
If you’re not up for cooking, have a scroll through your food apps and pick out something delicious. If you picked a theme for your evening, try and find a local spot that dishes up that particular cuisine. Not only will you have less cleaning up to do, you’ll also be supporting local businesses.
4. Ditch the distractions
Part ways with the Playstation/X-box/computer/mobiles for the night. Pop them in a basket or somewhere out of sight so you can really enjoy the experience – like you would if you were out at a restaurant.
5. Set the mood
It’s all in the details, so go on, be a little extra. Use the special dinnerware, pop on a tablecloth, arrange some flowers and don’t forget the music! If you’re into matching your food with your tunes, check out this Italian restaurant classics playlist, or perhaps you’re into jazz, Latin or something more chill. You could even curate a mix-tape style playlist for your special someone to show them how much they mean to you.
6. Switch off the lights
Lighting is really the icing on the cake when it comes to setting the mood. So, light some candles, switch on some battery-operated fairy lights and you’re good to go! Not only will it elevate your space, you’ll save some energy too.
7. Learn something new
A good way to bond is to learn a new skill together. Plan a trip to your local stationery store and stock up on supplies for a crafty night in. Jump on Youtube, tune into a Bob Ross tutorial and paint a scenic landscape or search up a dance tutorial and salsa the night away. There are all sorts of new and innovative ways to mix it up and have a laugh along the way.
8. Treat yourself to something sweet
Dessert stomach is a real thing and ending the meal with something sweet, is truly the cherry on top (pun intended). If you’re a sweet tooth, you could create a sundae bar in the kitchen (think different kinds of ice-cream, whipped cream, bananas, sprinkles, the works). If you prefer fruit with your dessert, a pavlova grazing board might be right up your alley.
9. Pull out the board games
With dinner done, it’s into the living room. If you’re up for a game or two, there are plenty to choose from. Throw Throw Burrito is as ridiculous as it sounds, Jenga usually always gets people invested, Pictionary tends to bring the laughs and if you really want to test your relationship, Monopoly always makes for an interesting time.
10. Pick a flick
Once you’ve picked out something to watch, pop some buttery popcorn (or experiment with some different flavours), pull out your cosy blankets, build a fort in the living room or simply curl up in your couch groove.
All that’s left to do is hit play!
