Ask:
I don't think I have ever done a dinner date at home.We do candles lite on the table sometimes even with the kids there.I think it looks nice.Not all the time.I foget sometimes or with dh now working later hours I don't do it for just the boys & I.They would play with the candle then We have only been out to eat with out the kids a couple times in 14 years.The only people we trust to watch the boys is my Inlaws and they live about 45 minutes from us so we don't want to have them come all the way into town to watch the kids.
I was wondering how many of you do dinner dates at home after the kids are in bed?
Do you go out and have a dinner date?
How often if you do?
If you have a dinner date at home what kind of foods do you prepare?
Answer:
We do both. Some times you just need a change of scenery. But I love to stay home, put the kids to bed and have a grown up dinner. I have gone to The Fresh Market and bought beautiful steaks (they put a restaurant to shame) and took them home to grill for us and make simple sides like baked sweet potatoes or twice baked potatoes and a salad or grilled assparagus. It's much cheaper to do that and it's better quality food!
Answer:
We try on get out together often. In the summer, we try for once a week. We love to go to places with nice patios.
We do special dinners at home, but very rarely, usually only our anniversary or Valentine's Day. We always have reservation for those occasions but usually not until the following weekend and I feel like we have to do something the actually day too. We usually eat in the dining room, where we hardly ever eat, and have candles. Sometimes we eat on the deck. I usually make a nice steak or sometimes crab legs or lobster, both of which are super easy. I try to make the sides something I can do ahead of time, so I'm not racing around and desert is always creme brulee or something I picked up from a fancy bakery.
I prefer to go out though because there is no prep work and no cleanup! It's also nice to see something new and get away from the ringing phone, the dog with gas, etc.
Answer:
We also do both...Dh and I have a very active social life, we love to go out.
We sometimes eat separately from the kids, esp if we want something the kids aren't crazy about for dinner. Dh's family is from South America where traditionally they eat dinner late (it least in my world)! So when we do a dinner, just the two of us at home, we don't eat til 10PM or later and Dh always says "now THIS is dinner time!". L.OL.
Answer:
My dh and I have actually never had a "dinner date". Everytime we go somewhere out to eat, his friends tend to "show up" and if we are at home, it's more of just a quick meal b/c both of us are so tired.
Answer:
We typically go out so we don't have to cook and clean up. It is more relaxing that way. My parents live in the same town and the kids love to go for sleepovers so we take advantage of those nights. As much as I love family dinners, sometimes it so nice eat a meal and have a conversation without being interrupted every 30 seconds.
Answer:
We do both, Sometimes he will go and get take out (chinese usually) or I will cook us a special dinner. Every now and again we will go out just the 2 of us or with another couple.
Answer:
Usually if we go out it's for breakfast(plus breakfast is always cheaper and HOW does one screw up an egg?!?) ...occasionally dinner...but I do alot at home...I made my husband put in a dimmer switch(dirt cheap) in dining room so that gives ambiance in summer w/out having to use candles ...sometimes I play dinner music(we have cable and it comes with a ton of music channels so I just put on the classical or whatever-or even the salsa channel for a fun mexican night)I also always pick up cheap table cloths and people are always on the look out for them for me at yard sales and such...1/2 the family works at Homer Laughlin so I get Fiesta Dishes dirt cheap...I don't set a party table every day but at least 1 night a week for daughter and me and usually at least 2 out of 3-4 nights husband is home.
Answer:
We rarely go out to eat alone together, mostly for birthdays or a celebration. About twice a month I make a dinner at home for just the 2 of us after the kids are in bed. I usually buy steaks, shrimp or make crabcakes (DH's favorite) and make a dessert along with some wine or beer. In the summer we try to eat on the patio more. It's nice for the "alone" time, and to just be able to talk.