The weekend often means date night — getting dressed up, going out, spending time together.
These days, however, the nights are about wearing T-shirts, staying in and spending all your time together.
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The growing coronavirus pandemic is forcing restaurants and movie theaters to close, and keeping people from going out.
With the weekend near, you might be missing that one night a week set aside for just you and your sweetie. With a little ingenuity, though, date night doesn’t have to be a thing of the past.
Here are some suggestions for couples to connect during the age of the coronavirus.
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Driveway drive-in
Drive-ins have been a great date destination since they were first patented in 1933. You can create your own theater experience at home. Pick a movie on Netflix or Amazon Prime, pop some corn, grab some drinks and climb into your vehicle's backseat. If possible, drive to an empty parking lot first, so you get the true drive-in experience.
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Go ‘out’ to dinner
One person can plan this date and surprise the other. Decorate the dining room or a spare room in your house with candles or white Christmas lights. Pull out a nice tablecloth and the good dishes, and set the table. Order dinner from your favorite local restaurant and have it delivered. Both of you should get dressed up — in separate rooms, if possible. The person who planned the date should pick up their partner and escort them to the “restaurant.” Get to know each other again while enjoying a good meal. For a true date night experience, leave the dishes until later.
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Disco night
You know you love the nightlife, and you've got to boogie. So order a mirror ball or disco lights from an online retailer, download some dance music — "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, perhaps — and turn your living room into a disco. Set up a bar, so you can take a break from time to time and chat with your date.
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Spa night
Pampering each other can be a great date night. Do you give great massages? Your partner likely will appreciate getting one. Give each other facials, even you thought you’d never do that. Paint her toenails. Rub his feet. There are myriad ways couples can make each other feel better.
Make her a star
Take the center of your world to the backyard, spread out a blanket or pull up some chairs, and stare at the stars. After a few minutes, point out her star. Although it's not official, some companies will let you "name a star" after a person. With Star Name Registry, for example, you can name a star, get a chart of where it's located and a certificate. Even though the two of you will be the only ones calling the star by her name, it's a stellar gesture for your loved one.