A lot of you have adapted to celebrating milestones like birthdays, anniversaries and other celebratory events while in quarantine, and it’s important to keep entertained while being stuck at home. The weather is warming up, so while it may be tempting to get back into your normal routines, we must still be cautious.

While restrictions are steadily easing around the city, it’s important to take it all in stride and do what makes you comfortable. Here are some of our tips for planning the perfect date night, whether you’re celebrating a birthday of a family member, your wedding anniversary or are just craving a fun date night at home.

Order In
Have a favourite restaurant in Calgary? A place that brings back the memories of dates, anniversaries, fun nights out, celebratory functions? Call them up, order take out and feel the comfort of consistency and nostalgia. Sure, it’s not in the same atmosphere as you expect, but it’s time to make new traditions, and your home is is the perfect setting.

Get Dressed Up
It’s easy to fall into a funk when you dress ‘down’ each day. But on this special ‘date night’, take out that new garment you bought online only days ago hoping to wear this spring. There is no day like the present. Throw on those heels, swipe that red lipstick, don your best ‘do. It’s the time, and it’ll make your date that much more official.

Get Creative!
That paint kit you wanted to buy months ago and didn’t, well there is no time like now to get it out (or buy it) and paint the night away with your special someone. The tip here is to close your mind. What brings you joy? Is it the beach, the bright fuchsia of azaleas in summer? The sun-kissed facade of the Louvre in Paris? Your daughters laugh? Paint what makes you happy. The rest will astound you.

Play Some Board Games
Whip out your Monopoly, Connect Four, Scrabble! Boardgames are such a classic form of entertainment and they sure do bring joy, at least for my family. There are so many great ones out there… Clue, Cards Against Humanity… the sky is the limit!

Attempt a Puzzle
Don’t feel bad if this one isn’t for you. I know from experience dumping a 1,000+ piece puzzle only to put it back in the box out of frustration. But persistence is what wins here, and when you finish it, the rewards are sweet!

Have a Yoga Night
Opting for a quiet & peaceful activity to do with your spouse? Stream some amazing yoga sessions online and feel the gratefulness of being totally and completely…. relaxed….

Bake Something New
We see all you sourdough making people! Don’t be afraid to venture to unknown territory and play pastry chef for the day. Croissants, pain au chocolate, pasta, madeleines, macarons, tiramisu, princess cake, cheesecake, homemade marshmallows, Baked Alaska, pavlova, soufflé, donuts, beignets, bananas foster….. Okay, we’re hungry now…

Watch a Classic Film
Or better yet, start from the early 1900s and watch all the Academy Award winning motion pictures throughout history. From ‘Wings’ (1927) to ‘Parasite (2020)’, the movies that have received the enviable title of “Best Picture” are varied and incredible as they tell the story of not only the people within, but the times they were set. Grab the popcorn and start watching!

Play Mixologist
Let’s make Ina Garten and Stanley Tucci proud and make the cocktails we’ve always wanted to try! Whether it’s a classic Cosmopolitan, Negroni or a fun twist on the classics, bringing back happy hour as the theme for your date will make your taste buds and creativity soar with pleasure!

Regardless of what you do, we hope you are all staying safe and stimulated.

As the temperatures warm up, we know for sure that we’ll be diving into each of the above items, plus dining al fresco!