Do you and your partner have regular "Date nights"? And if so, what do you do on them?

[BEAUTlFUL]

I'm just wondering I should start following that old advice to make time to have regular "dates" with my DH. it's starting to feel like we won't ever leave the house otherwise!

Do any of you do them, and if so, what are the most successful type of dates to have?

And did you have to instigate the idea, or am I the only woman who accidentally married a hermit?

Thanks!

I just think men like an easy life!

We don't have regular date nihts though it's definitely a good idea. I did instigate a no computer night though otherwise we wouldn't speak to each other.

When we do go out on our own though we have fun and i think that's the main thing about dates. We both think we're very funny after a couple of drinks and are childish in a fun way but it's good to lighten the mood. And no I'm not showing you the video DP took of me singing and dancing on our last night out to gloria gaynor.

we tried regular, once a week and ended up feeling like we were being forced to go out.

so we aim for chippy tea Friday nights, we don't do anything that night, we open a bottle of wine, and veg out, we have family day on Sunday completely focussed on the DS's.

Then once a month we go out for a meal and watch a band. Then we'll book to see something on the theatre/comedy store if there is something on.

We can never be arsed.

Plus when we do go out together, we end up getting really hammered so then spend the next 2 days feeling like shit

This is why we have only been out together a handful of times since the children came along (that and the lack of babysitters)

We used to have every Wednesday night without the children, but it can be a bit forced. We also spent half of our Wednesdays catching up on work - we work together!

Nice idea though.

we have a date night every 2nd Thurs - not too often, just enough time to get excited about it.

We take it in turns to surprise the other - whether it's dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, popcorn and a movie, or just a drive in the moonlight.

It was DH's turn last week - and he bought me th Sex & The City DVD and a Thai Takeaway box from Sainsbury's... with a bottle of non-alcoholic bubbles, it was divine!!

Not formal 'date nights' as such but we go out together about once a month, just the two of us.

Every other weekend we have a child-free weekend as the DCs go to our exes. We make sure that at least one of the nights they are not here we go out for dinner or a movie/gig.

I admit in this respect we are spoiled, but we are ttc at the moment so that will go out of the window hopefully within a year.

no...every time we do go out though we say 'we should do this more often'

i am thinking of having some no computer nights though,our broadband was down for three days and it was lovely

The last date we had was actually one I wasn't looking forward too. I had booked tickets to see David Tennant in Stratford doing his Shakespeare thing - this included a night at a hotel. I wasn't looking forward to it because the kids had just started back at school and we had also just returned from a week in the New Forest (not so good) so it all seemed like too much work - but it was the best break ever. We went to the pub all afternoon, then relaxed at the hotel before going for a lovely dinner (more wine ). The next day we saw the play before going home - it was fab and will stand out I think because I was dreading it!

we do. most weeks. go out for dinner, go to pub, go to cinema...

it is the time that we talk, and we both recognise how crucial it is that we do this.

we don't have scheduled nights out, but we do try and get out as a couple at least a couple of times a month. It is very important to both of us.

the best thing we did recently was a weekend in barcelona in march, obviously not a cheap night out, but it will be the last time we do it for a long time as i am pregnant again.
We got very drunk and danced like lunatics in a great club, reminded us of what life used to be like.....

We go out a couple of times a month.

The 2-4-1 deal with Orange Wednesdays is excellent you pay for one movie ticket and get another one free, that's great value. Only on Wednesdays, though.

For a cheap night out you can't go past Pizza Express, too. So yummy!!

Pub dinner and a few drinks. Ten pin bowling!

we go out every week on a thursday night
babysitter has swapped us for Saturday (how exciting a Saturday night out!!)
anyway we generally get shitfaced together and flirt madly and then come home and have fairly drunken..well you know..and then face the children and work rancid the next day but buoyed uo for the weekend and the week ahead

or sometimes go to the cinema but I like that less

Once a month we have dinner, candles, wine etc

Usually every friday but sometimes rl happens

Sometimes a movie and take away

Or a cooked meal and a board game, exciting hey

It doesn't really matter what we do, I think it is the talking and catching up part that is important

God, these ideas are all wonderful! hanks so much for this input, I'm loving hearing what you all do.

I've noticed that a definite theme towards getting shite-faced with one's partner has emerged... Is that the secret to it, do you think?!

KittyCat, I'm VERY VERY JEALOUS of your thoughtful DH's DVD, Thai takeout and bubble contribution... That's so lovely. Taking it in turns to surprise one another is sweet, isn't it? I imagine the competitive edge appeals to men.

thanks again, and more please! I'm getting v inspired!