Five Quick and Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Date Night

Amp up the fancy factor and make a stay-at-home evening as good as any dress-up-and-head-out event. No restaurant reservations required. 

1. Get the food right

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We all know takeout is a godsend, but seriously, it doesn’t scream date night. If you’re ordering McDonalds, toss a fresh salad, add a gourmet cheese board, or get some berries on the side to amp up the wow factor, says Meenakshi Sharma, founder and CEO of DateFyx. If takeout isn't your thing, go for food that looks good but requires little prep like sashimi and cured meats. Garnish with some organic edible flowers (easily found at Secrets Fine Food in Tiong Bahru) for extra oomph.

Here’s a hack – get rid of the takeout containers, and use pretty plates to lay out the food.  

2. Build the romance

That means getting rid of all the clutter, then creating a relaxed space for snuggling. “Tasteful throws and cushions can make the space more inviting,” says Meenakshi. Consider rearranging the furniture to create a cosy corner.

Tea lights and fairy lights are also a super easy way to level up on the romance, adds Ripple Sim, founder of Stitch x Marker Styling Studio. “Be generous with the lights for a more dramatic setup. “If you have big, empty jars to spare, you can even pop the fairy lights inside to create makeshift ‘lamps’ instead of draping them around the house.”

And of course, a little gold makes everything feel a little more luxe. “Grab gold metallic spray from a hardware store, and spray small items like glass bottles or plastic toy animals with it – it’ll turn them into gold centerpieces you can use on the table. Something gold always upgrades the items around it,” says Ripple. If gold isn’t your colour, go for other centrepiece options like a table mirror, or fill bottles, jars and even teacups with flowers.

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3. Get in the mood

Nothing reads romantic like nostalgia. Play songs from a mix tape he made you when you first started dating on a record player that looks old-school, but has all the modern trimmings. All you have to do is sync it to your phone via bluetooth, and you’re set. Try the Crosley x Urban Outfitters Velvet Cruiser Bluetooth Record Player (starting from $120).

4. Relax and Unwind

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Both of you deserve a little TLC after a long day of hustling.

Treat yourselves to a private spa session with a couples massage. All you need to melt away the tension and rejuvenate the body are some massage oils, bars and mask tubs (available at The Body Shop and Lush).  And if you really want to elevate the experience, hire a mobile spa to your doorstep. Aleyda Mobile Spa is one option that brings the equipment, music, and therapists to you. Find out more at https://www.aleyda.com.sg/

5. Top it all off with chocolate 

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No romantic date night in is complete without this aphrodisiac; whether eaten on its own or in the form of a fondue.Want to have the latter but don’t have a chocolate fountain? Create your own fuss-free yet decadent end to the date with LIFEats’ fondue cup (available at $20.30 on Megafash), which you can use to melt chocolate or cheese conveniently. Plate out an assortment of marshmallows, fruits and cookies and there you have it, a glorious fondue for two.

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