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. Patti Novak Williams is a Professional Matchmaker in Las Vegas, Nevada. With over 20 years of experience, Patti specializes in working with clients one on one to help them find love. She has helped match hundreds of couples, engagements, and marriages. Patti was the star of the critically acclaimed A&E series “Confessions of a Matchmaker.” She has been featured in the New York Times, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, and The Wall Street Journal, and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, TODAY with Hoda and Kathy Lee, The Rachael Ray Show, CBS’ The Early Show, CNN, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, The Nate Berkus Show, and Fox’s The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet. Patti published a book in 2008 with Random House titled “Get Over Yourself!: How to Get Real, Get Serious, and Get Ready to Find True Love.”
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Spending the night at home gets a bad rap, but staying in with your girlfriend can actually be really fun. If you're interested in spending more quality time at home and beating boredom at the same time, there are tons of cool things you can do! We've put together this helpful list of options for you and your girlfriend to try out when you're just hanging out at home.
Fun Things to Do With Your Girlfriend
- Cuddle up on the couch and binge a movie or TV show.
- Make a playlist and dance around in the living room.
- Spend quality time outdoors by stargazing or planning a picnic.
- Challenge each other with vigorous boards or video games.
- Spend a quiet night in and read a book together.
Steps
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Chill out with a nostalgic marathon of things you watched growing up. Make a list with your girlfriend of all the movies you loved when you were younger. Try to think of a few movies you haven't seen in a long time so it’s even more of a blast from the past. Cook up some popcorn, grab a warm blanket, and get cozy so you can relax and start binge-watching. [1] X Research source
- Reader Poll: We asked 256 wikiHow readers about their favorite date night activity, and 66% agreed that if you’re hanging out at home, the most romantic thing you can do together is cuddle and watch a movie. [Take Poll]
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Act like a kid again with this classic childhood activity. Clear out some space in your room and drape some blankets over some chairs to start your fort . Bring some pillows or cushions inside your fort so you stay comfortable hanging out inside. Keep some snacks and activities, like games or music speakers, in your fort too so you have something to do. [2] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
- Build your fort in the same room as your TV so you can relax and watch movies from inside.
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Impress your GF by busting a move. Make a playlist together with some songs or albums you really want to show to your girlfriend. Crank up the volume and throw a dance party for the two of you. Try out a few dances together so you can enjoy the music and time you have together. [3] X Trustworthy Source Greater Good Magazine Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living Go to source
- Try following some video tutorials if you want to try out some new moves together.
- If you’re feeling a little more low-key, it’s okay to relax so you can listen and appreciate the music.
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Take in the beauty of the night sky for a relaxing evening. Lay a blanket out on a clear night on a patio or in your yard and get cozy staring up at the sky. Try to look for shooting stars, point out constellations , or use your imagination to make up your own! [4] X Trustworthy Source US National Park Service Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments Go to source
- This might be a little tough if you live in a bigger city since the light makes it tougher to see stars.
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Eat a meal outdoors for a romantic change of scenery. Pack up your favorite sandwiches , fruits, and snack foods that are easy to eat on the go. Sit out on a blanket or at a table and just breathe in the fresh air as you enjoy your time together outside. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Hop in the kitchen with your favorite recipes to build your teamwork skills. Look for some good-looking recipes with your girlfriend and find something you can easily make on your own. Split up the duties so you’re both working on the meal and having fun. After you finished, you’ll have some delicious food that you’ve made from scratch. [6] X Research source
- If you haven’t worked much in the kitchen, look for online cooking classes that you can take together.
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A little friendly competition is a great way to pass the time. There are a ton of 2-player games that you can enjoy with your girlfriend as long as you’re not too competitive. Try your hand at playing chess , Clue, Monopoly , or other board games if you want something that takes a little more thinking. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Jigsaw puzzles are another great way you can bond and work together.
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You can find tons of competitive and cooperative games. Hand your girlfriend a controller and find a fun game that you want to play together. Just make sure that the game has local multiplayer so you can play it together. Otherwise, it might be fun to take turns playing a game too. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source
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Spend some quiet time together cozied up with a good story. Look for a book that you’re both interested in reading and sit down to read together. You can either read the book separately, or take turns reading aloud to one another. After you finish the book, have some fun discussions about how you liked it and what your favorite parts were. [9] X Research source
- Try to read the book at the same pace so you aren’t waiting for the other person to finish.
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Show off your creativity and make something that brightens up your space. Bring paints, glazes, and any other art supplies you want to use. Tackle a DIY project by customizing some photo frames, decorating vases, or making paper centerpieces for your table. [10] X Research source
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This is a great way to collect and look back on your memories together. Print out some photos of you and your girlfriend so you have a lot to choose from. Work together to make some scrapbook pages or photo albums based on the things you’ve done. That way, you can always reflect on the things you’ve loved about your relationship. [11] X Research source
- For example, you might make a photo album of a vacation you took or you may make a scrapbook page of your first date.
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These keep the conversation going and help you learn about each other. If you’re pondering what to talk about next, think of a few fun prompts or question games you can ask your girlfriend. Keep it light and fun by playing things like Would You Rather or Never Have I Ever . As you ask more questions, you’re bound to find more topics to talk about and grow closer with your girlfriend! [12] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
- For example, you could ask something like, “Would you rather want to go to the future or back to the past?” or “What’s your favorite memory from when you were a kid?”
- There are tons of books or cards you can buy that have question prompts for couples if you have trouble thinking of them on your own.
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You can look at tons of art and artifacts from the comfort of your couch. Even if there aren’t a lot of museums in your area, there are tons all over the world that have their collections online. Look for an art or history museum that you’re interested in and look at their digital collection. If you want to spark some conversation with your GF, talk about how a piece of art makes you feel or ask what she thinks it’s supposed to mean. [13] X Research source
- Many museums have free online collections, but you may need to pay for an e-ticket to view everything.
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Help each other reach your fitness goals if you’re an active couple. Search for a workout video that both of you can easily follow along with so you don’t get tired. Make sure you have enough space for both of you to exercise. As you’re going through the routine, motivate each other to push through any exercises they’re struggling with. By the end of the workout, you’ll both look and feel great! [14] X Research source
- Even if you don’t have weights or equipment, there are a ton of workouts that just use your bodyweight.
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Give your space a new look to make it feel homier. Staying in is a great time to tackle your next DIY project together. Try reorganizing some furniture, painting the room a different color, or updating your decor to a different style. Talk it through with your girlfriend to figure out how to decorate the room so you’re both happy with how it looks. [15] X Research source
- If you’re still living with your parents, ask for their permission before you start rearranging things.
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Grow your relationship by growing some plants together. Talk with your girlfriend and find a few flowers , decorative plants, or vegetables that you both want to grow. After you plant a few things, work together to take care of the plants so they grow big and strong. With a little time and patience, you’ll both love the beautiful blooms and the home-grown veggies at the end of the season. [16] X Research source
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Take a load off and relax for a nice way to destress. Turn on some relaxing music and light a few candles to set the mood for the night. Throw on some robes or your comfiest clothes too. You could offer each other massages , do face masks together, or burn some incense to help you both feel calm. [19] X Research source
- If doing a spa day isn’t your thing, treat your girlfriend to a relaxing day to help her unwind.
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Look for some ways to spice up your love life to break the routine. If you’re feeling fun and flirty, show your girlfriend your adventurous side by spicing things up . You may try out some new positions, do a little bit of roleplay , or introduce a new sex toy. Just make sure your girlfriend is in the mood before you try anything. [21] X Research source
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I be romantic every day?Alysha Jeney is a Licensed Relationship Therapist, the Owner of Modern Love Counseling, and the Co-Founder of The Modern Love Box. She specializes in relationship therapy, intimacy building, and existential exploration. Alysha holds a BA in Psychology from The Metropolitan State University of Denver and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling from Regis University. She has been featured in publications such as The Washington Post and The Huffington Post.Spontaneity, intentionality, and emotional communication are the keys. It doesn't have to be anything expensive or super planned, just something that you plan ahead, like going out together on a random day. Being able to have more emotional and intimate conversations on a date is really romantic. And sweet gestures, even as simple as a sticky note showing your care, are romantic, too.Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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Video
Tips
- Invite some people over or give another couple a call over Skype or FaceTime if you want to make it a double date. [22] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-watching-movies-can-benefit-our-mental-health
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm
- ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_music_bonds_us_together
- ↑ https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/stargazing.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3907771/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happy-healthy-relationships/202205/why-date-nights-are-so-important-healthy-relationships
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8248432/
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/02/video-game
- ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/build-trust/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/media-spotlight/201905/is-being-creative-the-key-romantic-passion
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/close-encounters/202002/why-some-couples-feel-the-need-show-their-relationships
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-instincts/202204/3-reasons-why-visiting-art-museum-can-boost-your-mood
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/meet-catch-and-keep/201401/5-reasons-why-couples-who-sweat-together-stay-together
- ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/strongermarriage/blog/10-ways-to-date-your-spouse-without-leaving-the-house
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/201906/10-mental-health-benefits-gardening
- ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/home-vegetable-gardening-a-quick-reference-guide
- ↑ https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/solutions/easy-vegetables-to-grow/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201401/seven-types-physical-affection-in-relationships
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rediscovering-love/201404/romantic-phrases-melt-hearts
- ↑ https://www.southuniversity.edu/news-and-blogs/2016/08/the-psychology-behind-love-and-romance-70700
- ↑ https://www.southuniversity.edu/news-and-blogs/2016/08/the-psychology-behind-love-and-romance-70700