Couples 'to do' list suggestions please!

[BittyCharleston]

I'm interested in how people are adapting to life at the moment in terms of keeping things going relationship-wise with their OH. We've watched one too many terrible films together and need some inspiration!

Usually we'd be going to attractions, events, food markets etc to keep ourselves occupied but obviously that's all out the window right now. We've been doing board games / country walks but it's getting a bit old... Played table tennis in the summer but it's too cold now. We've also done a couple of weekends away too, but I'm interested more in how people are keeping things fun and fresh in their relationships in more regular ways. We're currently in a tier 2 area.

Any tips or suggestions for indoor or outdoor activities?

Have you watched Lucifer? It's split across Amazon prime and Netflix it's funny and sexy.

So we have a couple's bet, when he was younger he played the violin, I played the flute, he thinks as an adult you can pick up an instrument in a couple of months (clearly not Sydney Opera House but perhaps Twinkle twinkle little star) I say if you played it to any standard as a youngster you would arrive at a more competent standard quicker.

So we are swapping, I'm on the violin (sorry neighbours) he's on the flute, so it's only a matter of time before I am proved correct!

Many art galleries are online, you could pick an artist you both want to know more about and do research together.

Learn to climb at a local climbing wall then you can climb as a pair.

@frozendaisy Ooh, talent/hobby-swapping! What an interesting idea, and bound to bring you closer even if you're rubbish at eachother's activities (could be quite funny too!). Brilliant and good luck!

It will not bring us closer

It's a debate I have to fail to learn the violin to win......

But there are worse ways to idle away the long winter hours

We're learning piano together and also booking various online activities through Airbnb. I know what you mean, just sitting around with TV is boring.

@Flittingaboutagain

We're learning piano together and also booking various online activities through Airbnb. I know what you mean, just sitting around with TV is boring.

Excellent .... Seems like musical instruments are the flavour of the season

Yep. So far so good. We started in March and are quite competitive with our Zoom tutor!

When we were in proper lockdown, we'd do a theme night on a Saturday. Themed meal, music, drinks, occasionally clothes, occasionally accents as the wine kicked in. Would take it in turns and the other wouldn't know the theme until we sat at the table.

@Flittingaboutagain

Yep. So far so good. We started in March and are quite competitive with our Zoom tutor!

Hope you can do The Blues Brothers soundtrack by New Year

@JorisBonson

When we were in proper lockdown, we'd do a theme night on a Saturday. Themed meal, music, drinks, occasionally clothes, occasionally accents as the wine kicked in. Would take it in turns and the other wouldn't know the theme until we sat at the table.

What was your favourite? Most successful theme

Have a look at the Udemy app. You can learn a new skill together. We've downloaded some courses for Vietnamese and Korean food!

@JorisBonson

When we were in proper lockdown, we'd do a theme night on a Saturday. Themed meal, music, drinks, occasionally clothes, occasionally accents as the wine kicked in. Would take it in turns and the other wouldn't know the theme until we sat at the table.

Love this! I like the idea of going the whole hog on the theme and seeing eachother in a new light. We're missing so many group events (parties, weddings, fancy dress events etc) that I'm starting to wonder if my OH will ever see me again in anything but a hoodie and leggings. This could be a nice way to engineer some of that frivolity. Could also be an opportunity to learn about a new topic. Inspired!

@frozendaisy Jamaican! We had jerk chicken rice and peas, got pissed on red stripe and danced to reggae.

@BittyCharleston it doesn't even need to be that exciting. Once I made lasagne and turned that into Italian night (this was during proper lockdown tho 😂)

Cooking together
Redecorating the house together
Renovating the garden together
Working out together with goals for improving stamina, strength, flexibility etc each week
We've also done stuff like dress up to go to the opera/theatre when watching live screened productions, complete with interval picnic hamper and champagne (OK that was just once, but it was fun.)
Writing each other quizzes
Discussing what the cat is really thinking (can go on indefinitely.)

Have started an exercise program online together. It has a start & an end date. You can view others online that are participating. It has an end goal. Hope to increase our fitness over winter.
We can exercise together and separately

Oh how the other half (extroverts) live. Your pre-lockdown life sounds exhausting!

@BittyCharleston geocaching is good fun too

We have one day without the kids per week and we always go out for lunch that day. Different places but has to be an independent and preferably local. We then review and critique (very quietly )

We also have date night once a week when the kids are in bed, take it in turns to cook and choose the music. No TV allowed.

We have been reading recipe books together and exchanging ideas.

Pamper evening once week, possibly easier as we are both women, we do foot and hand rubs, mani pedis and paint each other's nails. Also do each other's hair for date night!

Every other week we have been trying to visit a museum or art gallery. They tend to be free and apart from wearing a mask it's lovely!

@Jouleigh getting eachother ready for date night is the cutest! I've tried to coax my OH into letting me do makeup on him but he flatly refuses

Competitive tiredness. Counting how many chores each other does and comparing but in a really biased and negative way. Passive aggressive comments made about each other's annoying habits. Sighing, tutting, other annoyed noises made when the other one does previously identified and criticised annoying habits like throat clearing, sniffing etc. This can fill days or weeks.

While I was typing this DP came and stood next to me, farted, denied it when accused.

You're welcome.

@BrandoraPaithwaite ahahahaa, I'm so sorry