Date night in lockdown is not quite the same as date night ‘out out’ but it’s still just as important!

I’m currently working from home with a pre-schooler and life can be a little stressful! Trying to work with a little one can be exhausting. By the end of the day I’m shattered, as is my husband, and it’s so tempting just to have an early night instead of the battle to try to keep my eyes open.

But no, this will not do – well, yes sometimes absolutely! However, at least one night try and have an evening for just you and your significant other. It will make you feel more human again and not a crazed lady with a million deadlines and kids to look after.

From what you wear, to what you eat and your evening entertainment, here’s my step-by-step guide to nailing date night in lockdown.

Step one: Get dressed up for date night in lockdown

If like me make-up is now a rare occurrence and your outfit choices consist of comfy jeans and joggers; oh and at the weekends you might not actually make it out of your pyjamas, then it’s time to get glammed up and feel fabulous.

I wore my black jumpsuit teamed with these gorgeous accessories from the Art Deco collection from Fox and Chave.

The Deco Black & Ivory Crêpe de Chine Scarf is not only beautiful but made from 100% silk and, with hand rolled hems, it made me feel fabulous and stylish too, even at home! It went perfectly with the matching Deco Volute Bangle, which completely my outfit.

Making an effort and feeling great was definitely good for my mindset.

Step Two: Get the kids in bed

I find bribery works! Otherwise this will happen:

His cheeky face says it all!! Of course our kids are our number one priority right now but the occasional early night with the promise of a treat isn’t going to hurt them and it means you and your other half can have some all important time together alone.

Step Three: Ambience

Light some candles, turn the fairy lights on and listen to some music. It may just be your home but you can create a date night atmosphere. Why not treat your other half to some flowers too. Bunches have some great bouquets and free chocolates with every order!

Step Four: Dinner Date in lockdown

If you or your other half enjoy cooking check out this brilliant cookbook Date Night Cookbook by Rebecca Warbis. It some delicious and inventive recipes and plenty of ideas and inspiration for date night, from breakfast in bed and afternoon tea, to under the stars and movie marathon meals. At just £9.99 from Amazon, it’s a real bargain too!!

I’m lucky as my husband is an expert in the kitchen. Even the most basic meals that he makes taste delicious. I also really enjoy cooking too so between us we can often come up with a perfect restaurant quality experience.

I’m not adverse to a little bit of cheating either. I mean, who has time to not cheat?! Besides, you don’t want to cause too much mess as there’s the washing up the next day to think about!

Our date night dinners often consist of something like the below:

And this is how I cheat and where I get the recipes from:

For the easy to make cocktail I used the Raspberry Companion recipe from the Date Night Cookbook.

Lobster bisque is from a can (shock horror!) but it still tastes amazing! The bread rolls are normally the part bake in the oven variety.

The main meal is made by my husband but we do sometimes cheat and use oven fries.

The after-dinner s’mores are super easy to make and again the recipe is in the cook book.

Step five: Evening entertainment

Whether it’s movie night, games night or a wine tasting evening, you can recreate a date night out, in. Here are some of my ideas below:

• Movie Night: Buy a new release film, get popcorn and giant sized cups with straws and pretend you’re at the movies.

• Wine Tasting at Home: You can select an experience such as the Waitrose wine tasting at home packages or buy some new wines to try and some local cheeses. Subscribe to my YouTube channel as I have a new vlog coming soon all about wine tasting at home.

• Games Night: Get your favourite board games out or try some new ones. I recently bought my other half Game of Thrones Cludo!

• Comedy Night: Stream some new comedy acts you’ve not seen before, pour yourself a glass of wine and sit back and laugh!

• Under the Stars: If you have a garden why not sit out under the stars one night. If you have a fire pit light it up and wrap in blankets, listen to some music and gaze at the stars!

I hope this has helped you get date night ready. Share your date night ideas in the comments below.

I have used Affiliate Links in some of the products in this blog post and I was gifted the products from Fox and Chave. Any commission earned from affiliate links will be put towards the upkeep of my blog and 10% of commission earned will be donated to the NHS.