For partners, couples and those in the daunting early days of a relationship, the news of Ireland’s return to a level 5 lockdown was one of bitter disappointment and frustration. While socially distant hikes and picnics in the park were the perfect summer alternative to cinema and dinner dates, it can be difficult to keep the spark alive from afar during the cold winter months. Never fear! Here are some fun, creative date night ideas that you and your partner can enjoy from a distance to keep your connection as strong as ever!
Virtual Candlelit Dinner Date
This is a really lovely date if you and your partner enjoy eating together. Decide on a dish (or a takeaway) together and wear something special as if you’re dining at a fancy restaurant. Spend your night chatting and gazing into each other’s (pixelated) eyes with a glass of wine, candles and a romantic shared Spotify playlist to seal the deal. Trés romantique!
Netflix and Chill
Netflix’s new ‘Netflix-Party’ plug-in feature has been a game changer for virtual dates. You can pick a movie and simultaneously watch your favourite movies or TV shows together, plus if it’s your first date, watching a movie together will give you something to talk about if you’re feeling nervous. Dim the lights, grab the popcorn and settle in!
Hands-On Date
If you have a sweet tooth, why not try to bake something together! You can pick your favourite treat and, over video call, spend your afternoon chatting over the sound of electric whisks and cracking eggs. The joy of virtual dates is that you can do pretty much anything over video call, so you could unleash your creative side while still having fun! Painting, baking, scrapbooking are all simple ways to keep your hands busy while chatting with your partner, and you have something to show for it by the end!
Play 20 questions
You can’t beat the classics! Pick a person, place or thing and try to guess what the person is thinking in 20 questions. Alternatively, you could just ask questions about each other back and forth. Whether it’s a first date or somebody you’ve been with for years, there is always something new to learn about the other person, and this is a really intimate way to become closer with one another.
Have a drink together
At the end of the day, all you really want to do is let your partner know that you appreciate having them in your life. Just having a glass of wine and a cup of tea, propping up your phone and talking about your day is the simplest way to feel connected with your partner from a distance. Enjoy the fact that you still have each other, even when you are apart.
Maintaining a long-distance relationship really isn’t easy and staying away from one another for months at a time can put the connection you have with your loved ones to the test. Planning more meaningful and thoughtful virtual video dates will certainly boost your day and lend a much-needed break to your daily lockdown routine.