Date night usually defaults to dinner and a movie, which is fine, but doesn’t exactly do the heavy lifting of actually getting to know your person. The things below do. Some are flirty, some are deep-dive question decks designed to surface things you’ve never thought to ask, and a few are pure competitive chaos (the relationship benefits of which are debatable but real). Pick one. Pour something. See what happens.
1. A Couple’s Journal With One Daily Question for a Full Year
A Year of Us: A Couple’s Journal:
See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
When you go out on dates, do you find that your conversations are stuck in a loop? Do you find yourselves talking about work, logistics, and what to watch on Netflix? This journal breaks the cycle. With a new question every day for an entire year, each partner answers the question and records their response in the same journal. Then, partners can compare answers by writing down their response next to their partner’s answer. The questions can be anything from what someone’s favorite road trip snack is to deeper questions that might be discussed in couples therapy. The journal has a hardcover, so it is more of a keepsake than a workbook. In five years, it will act as a time capsule. This is perfect for new couples, couples who have been together for a long time, or anyone who has been out to dinner with someone and realized that they don’t know what the other person would name a boat.
2. A Cookbook That Pairs Recipes With Games for At-Home Date Nights
Date Night Cookbook & ActivitiesSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
This book is part teacher’s guide and part recipe book. Each recipe is located conveniently on each page alongside conversation starters and fun activities. Each dish is described in an easy to follow way so no one is going to start a fight in the kitchen (think simple pastries and pasta). Each page of the book is designed to withstand splatter from oil, as each page is made from extra thick paper. The book encourages communication on other topics aside from the ever so boring mortgage. It is the perfect addition to anniversaries and fresh new relationships, especially if you’ve hit a plateau with your dinners and have fallen into the takeout and streaming trap.
3. 200 Cards and a Spinner for a Built-In Date Night
The Ultimate Date Night Game by RelatableSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Two hundred cards and one spinner, with five categories. From the same creators as Let’s Get Deep, this game swaps straight conversation for some romantic activities, mini games, and prompts that may be a little nostalgic, and some that are a little more flirty. Spin the spinner, draw a card, and do what it says. The first player to collect 25 cards wins, but the real goal is to eliminate that awkward silence between “what do you want to do tonight” and falling asleep on the couch. The cards have a really nice matte finish, which is not something you think about until you have handled other flimsy cards. This game is designed for couples who have gone past the small-talk phase. Also not included are the candles, as the box indicates.
4. Fill-in-the-Blank Book That Turns Your Love Story Into a Keepsake
I Wrote a Book About YouSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
A fill-in-the-blank book might be expected for Mother’s Day or as a bridal shower gift, but this one is different. It has a small hardcover design, and for each page, she asks the giver of the gift to fill in the blanks about the recipient. What do you love about this person? What is your memory of them? What are their weird habits that only you notice? The books cover is a cloth fabric that makes it quite durable to weather being thrown in a bag or fit into a nightstand. Each page has a prompt anywhere from sincere to outright ridiculous, which is a good thing to keep it from being overly sappy. This book makes a good gift for any anniversary, for long-distance friends, and for parents that say they don’t want any gifts. This book is more thoughtful than a card, and at this cost, it’s cheaper than therapy.
5. 114 Spicy Dares and Questions for a Very Adult Date Night
Sip Or Sin Drinking Couple GameSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
This game comes with 114 cards separated into two categories, dares and questions. This is a drinking game, so grab a drink and sit across from your partner to play! As the title suggests, get ready to calibrate! Some of the questions are quite flirty while others are just straight up spicy! With the way the cards are structured, you can choose to stop at any point or continue going until one person gives in. The cards are made with a special matte coating so they will last through numerous shuffles. This is ideal if you plan on making this game a weekly event! The box is designed to be a present, and won’t look tacky. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day if you want something besides candles, chocolates, and lingerie.
6. 150 Cards of Conversations and Dares to Heat Up Date Night
Why Don’t WeSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
When talking about the hot pink card deck on your coffee table, you might like to say that it’s \”therapist approved\”. It contains 150 prompts, split up into three categories: conversation starters, questions that go deeper, and dares that increase in intensity, all in order to get the participants comfortable with each other. The prompts start at “tell me about your first crush” and end at something that most definitely is not PG. The cards also have that satisfying finish when you shuffle – perfect to get your friends in the mood to rage on a Tuesday night. Each round can either be a small amount like five cards, or a large amount like fifty. It’s fun to build up the hype if you’re having a few drinks, or if you want to get a quick conversation going before you head out to dinner. It’s even a great anniversary present for the couple that says \”we’ve run out of things to talk about\”. Because we all know that they definitely haven’t.
7. Pre-Sketched Canvases and Neon Acrylics for a Sip-and-Paint Date Night
VOCHIC Sip and Paint Kit,Pre Drawn Canvas (2 Pack)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
With pre-sketched canvases, the artistically challenged can relax, which is the whole idea on date night. The outlines (sunset, a heart) are already done, so just use the eight neon acrylics to fill them in. You can switch colors with one of three different size brushes, depending on whether you’re blocking in the sky or fussing over the edges. The canvases are stretched over dry-processed wood frames to ensure that they won’t warp when the wet paint is applied. Two palettes and two reference sample images are provided, plus enough materials so no one has to share the good brush. The neon paints will dry brighter than they appear in the tubes. Hang the results in the kitchen, or not. Either way, you spent an evening not staring at your phone.
8. An Electric Fondue Pot With Temperature Control and Four Skewers
Kusini Electric Fondue Pot SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The entire premise includes melted chocolate at 140°F, four skewers, strawberries, pretzels, and marshmallows in a detachable three-section tray, and that’s it — it’s a good one. The 10oz bowl lifts out for washing, which is good because hard chocolate stuck to an appliance is its own form of punishment. You can melt it, then drop it to warm, then forget about it while the movie keeps playing. If you melt it on the stovetop and pour it in, cheese works too. It tastes better, and it photographs well. The setup turns a regular Tuesday into something that resembles an occasion, which is the entire reason to own a small appliance dedicated to dipping things in warm chocolate.
9. Three Heirloom Kernels and Five Bold Seasonings for Movie Night
Pop n’ Dulge Popcorn Movie Night Supplies (16 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Three heirloom varieties, five seasoning mixes, and six popcorn bags. But this isn’t your average yellow corn selection! How about popcorn with unique shapes and textures from Ruby Crunch, Classic Golden, and Poppin’ Blue? And the seasonings? Choose between Butter, Garlic Parmesan, Creamy Chive, White Cheddar, and Fiery Hot Pepper for those who like it spicy. All ingredients are Non-GMO, gluten-free, cultivated on US farms, and OU-D Kosher. This even matters when you’re devouring a whole bowl! Works on the stovetop or in the microwave. It’s a thoughtful housewarming gift, and an even better date-night activity. This gift is sure to be opened and used the same week!
10. A Hand-Casting Kit That Molds Your Intertwined Fingers Into a Sculpture
Hula Home Hand Casting KitSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Hand casting might sound like a craft fair sort of activity, but it is way more fun than it sounds. The molding powder sets in mere minutes giving you time to capture the intricate details of every knuckle, wrinkle, and fingerprint. It adds to the finished piece making it feel like a mini sculpture rather than just a keepsake. The kit accommodates two adult hands or two adults and one small child. It also includes a round, solid wood plaque to mount your finished piece. The process of molding your hands is a weird sensation, but is also quite memorable. You’ll likely want to use the practice batch first because your first attempt is likely to come out crooked. Instructions are given in a no-nonsense, easy to understand format. Great gift for anniversaries, new babies, or for anyone sentimental enough to want their family’s hands on the wall.
11. 1,000 Faux Rose Petals and 12 Heart-Shaped LED Tea Lights
Amagic 1000 Pieces Artificial Rose PetalsSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
There’s a reason scattering rose petals on a hotel bed is a cliché—it works. This kit includes 1,000 red and black, odorless, and more importantly, non-toxic, rose petals and 12 heart-shaped LED tea lights. These tea lights glow a warm white for over 100 hours, so there is no need to worry about a smoke, fire, or wax hazard with synthetic flowers. The LED tea lights are perfect for the rose petal kit. Each petal is a little under 2 inches, allowing them to look full when sprinkled down an aisle or across a tablecloth, giving the whole thing a nice non-sparse look. They are great for a proposal, anniversary, or any day ending in ‘tuesday’. And the best part, you can reuse these petals. The whole setup is more cost-effective than a classy bouquet.
12. A Monopoly-Style Board Game Where the Tasks Get Spicy
Adult Board Game,Couple Adult Opoly Board Game,AdultSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Monopoly, but make it date night. The rules are the same as original (land on a square, buy it, charge rent), but here the squares are tasks your partner has to do when they land on your property. Some are cute, some are a little out there, and some might cross lines you don’t want to with mixed company. The board folds down to about the size of a weekender bag which depending on your in-laws could be a selling point or a warning. What it does do successfully is make you spend time together instead of turning to your phone or TV. Two hours, one bottle of wine, no scrolling.
13. Scratch-Off Cards With 30 Date Ideas Under 30 Minutes Each
Mini DatesSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Date night is often one of the first traditions to go in a relationship, and I think I totally understand why. The monotony of ‘where should we eat’ gets old fast. After a long week, scrolling on your phone is often more enticing than putting any more mental energy into the day, and date night becomes a thing of the past. Most of us have been there, and that’s where thirty date night cards come in. These are date night scratch offs that are categorized into food, games, playful, conversations. Each one challenges you to an activity under thirty minutes where you get to choose what you do based off of what energy you have left in the tank. No more planning, just grab, scratch, and go. It’s also a great gift for long-distance friendships and anniversaries. I even think it makes sense to bust out these date night cards on a weeknight after an exhausting day when you really don’t feel like standing up to make dinner.
14. 50 Date Night Idea Cards on Heavy Glossy Cardstock
None Brand, Date Night Ideas Cards, 50See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Wedding guests enjoy a little direction. Give them some cards and ask for “advice for the newly weds” and you’ll hear a lot of “be happy.” Ask for suggestions for date night and out of nowhere Aunt Linda wants to take you to a tiki bar in Queens. These are the sorts of things that make this fun. Fifty cards, each made with thick, heavy cardstock, measuring 4×6 inches and finished glossy. With the leaf pattern on the front, it stays gender neutral enough for any reception table. The cardstock is the good kind that doesn’t bend or curl when people lean on it at the bar. Use them at an engagement party, a bridal shower, or even put a stack in a honeymoon gift basket. This gift would definitely be better than another gravy boat.
15. A Three-Bottle Massage Oil Set With Ginger, Arnica, and Lavender
Fathers Day Gift for Husband,DadSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
This kit has three oils and a massage ball, so don’t make any excuses to skip date night! Each oil has its own purpose. Ginger oil creates a warming sensation that helps your muscles feel better, arnica oil helps target sore muscles, and lavender oil helps set up a romantic vibe. The oils are also made with grape seed oil, which makes them lightweight and won’t stain your sheets! The 360 degree roller ball will save your thumbs from giving out when you start your back massage. It will prevent you from getting a cramp before your partner gets annoyed. Although it’s marketed as a fathers day gift, it will work for basically anyone who has a job that requires a lot of sitting, so literally every husband. And every wife.
16. Two Canvas Easel Sets With a Portrait Guide and 100 Painting Prompts
CraftyCrocodile Set of 2 Painting KitsSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Two canvases, two easels, two sets of five brushes, and ten colors. Designed for couples, but also works solo. What makes it different than a run-of-the-mill craft store haul is the included portrait guide (for facial structure, light and shadow, and proportions) plus a color-mixing guide that shows you how to make 15 new colors using the 10 base colors. A specially made list of 100 painting ideas is included, organized roughly by level of difficulty, so no one has to sit in front of an empty canvas waiting for inspiration to strike. It might seem silly to include background music but it’s actually really helpful to have something other than silence, especially when acrylic paint is drying. You will have plenty of time to finish a glass of wine.
