FEBRUARY IS THE month for romance, though unfortunately nobody ever told the weatherman. Depending on the forecast, there’s every chance you might want to spend Valentine’s Day (or indeed any date night this month) cuddled up on the couch. 

In this week’s Allianz Home Magazine we’re looking at some stay-at-home date night ideas to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day.

Cook a meal together

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Admittedly, this won’t work for every couple. Some people need their space and that’s just how it is. But if you’re the kind of people who can stay relaxed while chopping onions, stirring rice and shoving wooden spoons into each other’s mouths to check if something has enough salt in it, then you’ll have a great time cooking together. 

The key to making sure everyone has a good time while cooking together is to play to everyone’s strengths. If one person happens to have a knack for chopping, then let them chop. Cooking together fosters a sense of camaraderie and working together, gives you both a chance to chat and unwind, and discover each other’s preferences. If you want to keep it simple, pick up a home pizza-making kit and put your pizza-making skills to the test.

Games night

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If you’re a more competitive couple, it might make sense to find a game of any kind that fits your personalities and go with that. Whether that’s trying to blue shell each other on Mario Kart, finding a good two-person card game such as gin rummy, or even sipping a glass of wine while you finish a puzzle together, there are all sorts of activities to have fun as a team.

Spa night together

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Who says that you need to visit a five-star hotel just to relax? With a bit of a preparation, you can turn your home into a spa and unwind together. Make sure to get all of the necessities together, including aromatic candles or diffusers, matching robes, and the perfect easy listening playlist. Make use of what you have, whether that’s a bath or a soft reclining chair. Relaxing is the top priority, so break out the massage oils and the face-masks.

Bingewatch something

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It may not be the most romantic option on the list, but it is realistic. Some nights are made for as little effort as possible, ordering a takeaway, and watching eight episodes of something one of you has already seen before. There is still plenty of romance to be found negotiating and bargaining over what to watch, and going through the various streaming services until you find something can be half the fun. 

Doing things at your own pace and in your time is exactly what your home is for. Netflix has plenty of romance movies to fit every mood — you could even make a list together and work through it. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Always Be My Maybe, To All The Boys I’ve Loved before… work your way through all the good ones until you eventually wind up on the cheesiest rom-com you can find.