It is all too common for married couples to lose the spontaneity they had during the dating phase, especially after having children.
Romantic evenings become something that is reserved for special occasions, but this does not have to be the case. Married couples often sacrifice their special date nights when finances are tight, but spending quality time together does not have to cost a fortune. It is also an investment in your relationship as it strengthens the bonds between you and your spouse.
An expensive evening out is undoubtedly great, but spending time together does not have to involve luxury. Even if you have to closely watch your finances you can still make an evening special for your husband. After all, the focus should be on each other’s company and not your surroundings. Your husband will also appreciate how much effort and thought you put into the evening, regardless of how much the financial cost is.
Setting Everything Up
For many married couples it is very difficult to arrange something on the spur of the moment. There are just too many variables, such as children and work that make it impossible to simply slip away for a romantic evening. This does not mean that your date has to be boring and predictable. If surprising your husband is not possible, talk to him and arrange a date that matches both of your schedules. You don’t have to explain all your plans in detail to him, but keep things a bit mysterious to build up anticipation. This will give both of you something to look forward to and ensure that there won’t be anything to interrupt your plans. This will also ensure that you don’t schedule your romantic evening on a day when a big game is on television! If you have friends who are in the habit of showing up unannounced, make sure that you let them know that you have plans.
Taking Care Of The Kids
During a romantic evening it should be your husband that is on your mind and not the children, so if you are a parent arrange for them to go elsewhere during your date. Grandparents are always a good choice for babysitting, or you can make arrangements with other friends or family to keep an eye on the kids. The best would be to have trusted friends or family watch the children overnight as they are not only out from underfoot, but you can enjoy your evening without constantly keeping an eye on the clock.
Dressing For The Occasion
Select what you want to wear for the romantic evening ahead of time, so you are not left rummaging through your wardrobe on the day. Looking your best will not only make you feel great and boost your confidence, but will also ensure that you have your husband’s full attention. If there is no money for a brand new outfit look in your wardrobe for something that might bring back special memories for your partner. It could be something that you wore to an event that was special to both of you or maybe even something that you used to wear while you were dating him. Just make sure that it still fits, though, as feeling comfortable is just as important as looking fabulous! If you do have some spare cash available to go shopping for clothes, be on the lookout for some new lingerie. It will make you feel sexier and will be a very nice surprise for your husband.
Preparing The Food
Instead of going out for dinner you could prepare the meal yourself to make it extra special and save a bit of cash. The evening should be about spending quality time with your husband and not running around, so try to keep the menu to food that you can prepare beforehand. This will take a lot of pressure off you on the evening and still allow you to talk to your husband while getting everything ready. Steer clear of any recipes that require blood, sweat and tears to prepare. It might seem special, but exhausting yourself in the kitchen won’t put you in the mood for romance.
Make sure to jot down everything you need on a shopping list to ensure you have everything you need. Finding out that you are missing crucial ingredients too late can put a damper on the evening, so it is better to be prepared than sorry. Don’t forget to select a nice wine that will complement the food and make the evening extra special as well. To really spoil your husband you could include some of his favorite dishes on the menu. This will make it really obvious that he was on your mind while preparing the food for the evening.
Although you can prepare dessert for after the meal it is usually less effort to go out for an ice cream. This gives the two of you a chance to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air. Combining the ice cream with a leisurely stroll together also makes for a fun after-dinner activity. If you do have some sweet treats to enjoy at home, why not do so outside under a blanket while gazing at the stars together. For colder evenings, why not cuddle up in front of the fireplace with a blanket and some wine.
Get The Mood Right
To set the perfect mood during dinner, select a playlist of relaxing songs to play in the background. Look for music that won’t distract from your conversation with your husband. Be sure to include songs with special meaning to you and your husband or tracks that both of you remember from the days that you were dating. Soft love songs are perfect for stirring up emotions and you can even prepare a separate playlist for later in the evening if you and your husband are in the mood for dancing and have the space in your house to do so.
Lighting is just as important as music for setting a great mood, but don’t cover your entire house in candles. Remember the purpose of the candles is to create a romantic atmosphere and ignite your passion, not your house! Instead of using candles as your primary light source, it is safer to opt for low wattage electric lighting and then supplement it with a few well-placed candle
s to create a more romantic tone. Candles with soft aromas are always good choices for romance. Be careful with the placement of your candles, and make sure that they are in sturdy holders or away from any flammable objects. There is nothing romantic about the smoke detector going off in the middle of your evening.
It Is All About Reconnecting
Above all, your evening with your husband should be fun for both of you. Spending quality time together without outside distractions will allow the two of you to reconnect and strengthen the bonds of your relationship. Don’t stress if everything doesn’t go exactly according to plan, but focus on making the most of your time together.
