Let’s say you’re on a really great date. You go out for dinner and have a blast getting to know one another; laughs are shared, the conversation flows easily, and just the right amount of intimate details get peppered in. Now the conversation comes to a natural lull — not the awkward kind that begs to be filled, but the nice kind, the kind that feels like the period at the end of, “I like you.” You grab the check, but you’re not ready for the night to end. This is going too well — you seem to share the same giddy glow. You want to invite them over, but it’s not about sex. You just want to keep connecting. Here are 10 things you’ll want to have on-hand when you agree to take things back to your place (just not like that!).
- Movie Projector
A movie projector will make your living room feel like a drive-in theater date. You can project the film onto a pull down screen or just a wide stretch of blank wall. Make sure you have a cozy space to plop onto — if your couch isn’t perfect for curling up on, then fold and stack some blankets on the floor then top the makeshift bed off with all the pillows you can. This will give you a soft, decadent, snuggly space to curl up on. Level up by making sure you have popcorn, movie theater candies, and a few beverage options on hand. Skip the mood-killing scrolling process by prepping a short list of flicks that fit the first-date vibe (or steal from ours!).
- Indoor fire pit
The greatest part of camping is obviously the opportunity for some ooey-gooey s’mores action. Bring your date back to yours for some sweet nibbles with an indoor fire pit. Not only is it romantic to gaze across dancing flames at one another, but s’mores lend themselves particularly well to collaboration and messiness — two things which help keep the flirtatious vibes warm. Make sure to at least have marshmallows, grahams, and chocolate stashed away at home, but don’t be shy about grabbing more creative options — imagine trying a s’more made with a Girhadelli’s caramel chocolate square for the first time! Pair this date with hot cocoa (spiked recipes here) and you’ve got a toasty cabin getaway right in your living room!
- Stellar lighting
Lighting is essential to setting the mood. There are three things to consider when lighting your apartment with romance in mind: warmth, levels, and softness. Let’s start with warmth. Your lights should be warm tones rather than cool; aim for orange and pink tones to mimic the glow of candles (try a sunset lamp). Then, consider where your light comes from. You can use the ceiling, sconces on the walls, lamps on tabletops, and floor lights. Try placing a light strip beneath the couch, for instance, to make it more inviting for a cuddle. Finally, install dimmer switches or buy bulbs that connect to your smartphone so you can control the softness — turn down the lights to turn up the romance!
- A Get-to-Know-You Card Deck
A while ago, a bunch of companies started creating card decks to facilitate deeper connections between people — and as someone who has used a handful of different decks, let me tell you, they work! You and your date will take turns pulling a card and asking a question that revs up the intimacy — in the soulful way. Grab a deck from a game store near you or off the internet and keep it stationed on your living room table for easy access. Get ready for some footsie and meaningful conversation — this is an especially great option if you feel nervous about knowing what to talk about as the night goes on.
- Tunes
Having music playing makes sure that, even if the conversation stops for a little bit, there won’t be a big noticeable silence in the room. Have something to play music on other than your laptop. Stash bluetooth speakers around the house for a surround sound experience that you can control from your phone or with your voice. When you get inside, get the tunes flowing — the right playlist can heighten the mood you’re going for. Do you want to turn up the playfulness? Try this one. Do you want to add a little steam? Check out this.
If you happen to really enjoy and care about music, owning a record player and a collection of records is a fun way to share this passion with your date. The feel and aesthetic of picking out and putting on a record is an activity in itself!
- A Well-Stocked Bar & Cocktail Book
Turn the typical “want to come back to mine for a nightcap?” question into an exciting cocktail mixing date! To do so, you’ll need a little bit more than your basic at-home bar setup. You can purchase all the tools of cocktail-making in a matching set online or at your local home goods store. Then, get a cocktail book and pick out and bookmark five or six drinks that sound fun to make and vary from one another in spirit and taste. Bring your book with you to a liquor store and have them assist you in picking out everything you’ll need. Voila! An at-home bartending experience for two. Mix, sip, and enjoy.