Monday, December 13, 2010

Stay Home Date Ideas & Giveaway

As much as we love to go out on extravagant date nights, sometimes budget and or time constraints just don't allow for it. The hubs and I have found a good alternative to going out for these times when you still want a fun date night, but just can't make it out. The stay home date night. May sound kind of lame at first, but trust me it can be just as fun as going out. Here are some stay home date night ideas to get you started. Just put the little ones to bed and enjoy the time to yourselves!

Candlelight Scrabble Date

I actually surprised my husband with this one and set it all up while he put our son to bed. He loves word games so I chose a few of his favorites to have as options. Then, I spread a blanket on the floor, turned off the lights and surrounded it with plates of candles.



There is something about candlelight that makes everything special. He chose scrabble and it was an extra long game. We melted the candles all the way down.



Then the hubs threw in a twist of his own, pulled out one of his old college books (he was an English major) and read me some Shakespearean Sonnets. Some were romantic, some just kind of weird, but all fun nonetheless.



Chinese Date Night

I was inspired by this Chinese Date night idea from Love Actually. A trip to the party store (Zurchers) and the Dollar Tree and I had everything I needed to pull off our Asian theme. Ours had a little Christmas flair with the green tablecloth. I would do black if it were not December. :)



On hand: tablecloth, red ramekins, river rocks, battery tea lights

Dollar Tree: Serenity Garden (thing with rocks sand and rake), place mats, dishes

Zurchers: Asian hat, chopsticks, black take out boxes, fan, Chinese finger trap

Amazon: Asian spoons, Smashburger: Take out boxes

Smith's: La Choy fortune cookies (in the black boxes)

I spent about $25, but it is all stuff I can use again.



I adorned some of the items with little notes, like "You're stuck with me" on the Chinese finger trap and "I'm so fortunate to have you" on the fortune cookie box. I realized later I should have put "I'm your biggest fan" on the fan. :)



I am still in easy dinner mode so we started out with egg drop soup and then tried an Orange Chicken meal kit by Wanchai Ferry. It actually turned out really good. The directions were easy to follow and all I had to have on hand was chicken and water. The rest was in the box. Nice! Sometimes that's about all we have in stock these days. ;) The flavor wasn't really orangey, but had a little spice to it. We would totally make it again.




Sick of giveaways yet? Hope not cause here comes another one! We are giving away a Date Night prize pack that includes one Wanchai Ferry dinner kit, one Macaroni Grill dinner kit, and a $25 Visa gift card that you can use to create a magical date night at home! Sweet, I know!




To enter (let's make it easy): Leave a comment on this post.

Extra entries: Leave a separate comment for each entry
  • Follow A Little Tipsy
  • Like us on Facebook
  • Tweet, blog, or facebook about this giveaway
Giveaway closes Friday, December 17th. Good Luck!


If you can't wait to see if you win, here's an online coupon http://www.myblogspark.com/uc/main/198d/ for $1.50 off two packages of Wanchai Ferry and/or Macaroni Grill Dinner Kits.

Wanchai Ferry and Macaroni Grill provided me with the free product, information, and prize pack through MyBlogSpark.

P.S. D
on't forget to sign up for free Tipsy updates via RSS or email.

151 Comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the blanket in the first picture.. I still use mine all the time too!-michelle

Kelli said...

i follow your blog!!! love this idea!!

monstersmommy021207@gmail.com

Kelli said...

i follow you on facebook as well!!

monstersmommy021207@gmail.com

MelindaB said...

I am a follower :)

** Adrian ** said...

What a fun giveaway!! I'd love to win a great date night!!

johnson.adrian1@gmail.com

mandy said...

how fun! i really need to do something like this

mandy said...

i follow!

kpmattingly said...

Those are fun ideas....we always have a hard time coming up with inexpensive date nights!

Andies said...

how fun!! love the idea's, we tend to do a fondue date night when it's more than movies or games, so I liked the new idea's!!

Andies said...

i follow in google reader

Tiffany said...

I love the idea of adding candles to add a little romance to playing board games..

Tiffany said...

I'm following A Little Tipsy..

Tiffany said...

I like A Little Tipsy on FB

Elizabeth said...

oh my goodness! this is awesome! my hubby and i could TOTALLY use this! i'm crossing my fingers i win! :)

Elizabeth said...

I follow your blog!

Elizabeth said...

And I like you on facebook! :)

Trevor and Shaylise Bowen said...

I love these ideas! I follow your blog and like you on facebook! :) Yay!

Danielle said...

I follow!

Danielle said...

I may need to steal your stay at home date night idea!

Jane said...

Stay at home dates are great!

Jane said...

I follow a little tipsy

Jane said...

I like you on Facebook

Karin said...

Enjoyed hearing about your dates-- Fun, easy to do ideas!

karin56381 (at) gmail.com

rebekah said...

I'm a follower!

rebekahricker at yahoo dot com

rebekah said...

I'm a FB fan.

rebekahricker at yahoo dot com

rebekah said...

Unfortunately, stay-home dates are the only kind we have these days. Thanks for the simple ideas to mix them up.

rebekahricker at yahoo dot com

ASHLEE said...

My husband are the queen and king of stay at home dates. Thanks for the darling ideas we will put them to good use!! I LOVE your blog Lil' Miss Tipsy! :)

Ashlee
theculinaryqueenbee.blogspot.com

ASHLEE said...

I am a follower!

ASHLEE said...

I like you on Facebook!

Princess Leah said...

Fun ideas for great at home date nights.
nihaomindy@hotmail.com

dazeeb said...

What great ideas! I never would of thought of something like this without your help! Thanks for the "keeping the magic alive" ideas :)

dazeeb said...

I am a follower!

dazeeb said...

I also liked it on Facebook!

Andrea said...

Cute! I've been looking for some fun, romantical ideas. :)

Designer Jules said...

What a cute idea!

Alayna said...

What cute ideas! I honestly cannot remember the last date my husband and I went on. It has been at least 2 years. Sad but true.

Alayna said...

Is stalking the same as following? Because if it is, then I am totally a stalker, follower, sorry;)

Alayna said...

I am also a fan on facebook.

Cynthia said...

I love the game idea...hubby has been gone for several months, so I might have to break that idea out when he returns!

Cynthia said...

I am a stalker/follower :)

Mami2jcn said...

I love the Wanchai Ferry orange chicken.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

I follow you in GFC

Mami2jcn said...

I like you on Facebook- Mary Happymommy

Mami2jcn said...

tweet:

http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/14494698638934018

laura said...

Love the date night ideas!

jennaelayne said...

cute ideas. already a follower :o) xo jenna

satoko said...

It's not easy for us to do date night because of our special need son, but I think date night is great! Thank you for doing this giveaway.

satoko said...

I also follow you on Twitter!

Krystal said...

Love your ideas! What great fun for you and your hubby.

Krystal said...

I'm a follower!

Krystal said...

I like you on FB!

Lori said...

Such fun ideas!! I'm always looking for fun ideas to stay home but still enjoy our time together.

Lori said...

totally a follower.

Jacob And Angie Ward said...

What great ideas!

jacobangieward@gmail.com

Jacob And Angie Ward said...

I am a follower!

jacobangieward@gmail.com

Jessica :) said...

This would be so fun! My hubby and I specialize {haha!!} in "in-home" dates. Since we had our little one it just gets too crazy to always go out. So this would be a lot of fun!

musicalmaestro {at} gmail {dot} com

Megan said...

I follow your blog!!!

Rebecca said...

We love stay at home date nights. They can be so romantic.

Brooke said...

Your stay at home dates are so creative. Way to go!

Brooke said...

I follow you. ;) brookebbushman at gmail dot com

Brooke said...

I like you on FB. brookebbushman at gmail dot com

Kristi said...

What cute ideas.
kristidorman at gmail dot com

Kristi said...

I follow you.
kristidorman at gmail dot com

Kristi said...

I am a fan on facebook too.
kristidorman at gmail dot com

Nikki Gillins said...

These days a "night out" at home is about all we can do! Love it!

CaryManda said...

This is kind of fabulous! Love it!
i follow tipsy!

CaryManda said...

I also like you on facebook :)

Connie Babe said...

i follow your blog! and i live in the middle of nowhere...date nights in are the only kind i get...

Brianne said...

I need this! We rarely get out and it would be great to have a date night at home.

Brianne said...

I follow your blog.

Brianne said...

I like you on Facebook.

Celia said...

We don't have lots of time/money to go out, so I love stay-at-home dates that help me remember to mix it up a little. And we love Chinese food, so I love this idea! Thanks!!
sis_celiadawn at ya hoo dot com

Celia said...

I'm also a follower.
sis_celiadawn at ya hoo dot com

Smullin Family said...

I LOVE date nights IN. Cute ideas. Hope I win, cuz I'm craving some Chinese food right now. :)

nightowl said...

This is such a neat idea. I am going to have to try ths.

winit6 at hotmail dot com

nightowl said...

I Follow A Little Tipsy.

winit6 at hotmail dot com

nightowl said...

I Like you on Facebook
winit6 at hotmail dot com

Amy said...

Your Chinese date night looked like fun.
avennett AT verizon DOT net

Amy said...

I like you on FB as Amy K V
avennett AT verizon DOT net

JC said...

What a fun night you guys had!
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

JC said...

I'm a follower

JC said...

FB liker@tcarolinep JessieKatie S

Marilyn's Money said...

I'd love to win! mjjaegly@yahoo.com

JC said...

tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/14693636860022784

Marilyn's Money said...

Tweet here: http://twitter.com/#!/marilynjaegly/status/14694279934902272 mjjaegly@yahoo.com

Michelle said...

Cute ideas--thanks!

Michelle said...

I'm a follower!

Nicole-Lynn said...

Very nice! My fiance and I are saving for our upcoming wedding, and it'd be so great to win so we could enjoy a nice, cheap date night in! Thanks for the opportunity!

Seasidesmitten@aol.com

Nicole-Lynn said...

I follow via GFC (Nicole-Lynn).

Seasidesmitten@aol.com

Jana said...

I want I want! :)

Jana said...

I am also a follower!!

Audrey said...

Such cute Ideas!

Brown and Serve said...

How fun, love stay at home dates!

esmh15@yahoo.com

Brown and Serve said...

I also follow your blog.

Mindy said...

Great Date ideas!! can't wait to try some of these!!

Mindy said...

I follow your blog!! LOVE IT!!

Mindy said...

I am a fan on face book!!

Lyndee @ A Recovering Craft Hoarder said...

Thank you so much for this post. My husband and I don't get "out" much and your ideas are so great and would be a wonderful way to have a "date" with my husband without breaking the bank.

Lyndee @ A Recovering Craft Hoarder said...

I am a follower of your blog.

Lyndee @ A Recovering Craft Hoarder said...

I like on facebook.

Lyndee @ A Recovering Craft Hoarder said...

I tweeted about this giveaway.

tristatecruisers said...

i would love to try the orange chicken :)

marci h
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

tristatecruisers said...

follow via GFC :)

marci h
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

tristatecruisers said...

like you on FB :)

marci h
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com

Julie said...

My parents would love this! they have been doing date night for about 15 years now and they need more ideas other than going to the grocery store together....
julie41184 at hotmail dot com

Julie said...

I "like" you on face book too! it's fun and easy to do! julie41184 at hotmail dot com

Julie said...

I also follow you. (your blog that is....)
julie41184 at hotmail dot com

N said...

This should be my new year's resolution.

. said...

Love these ideas! This is one of my goals for the next year...be more creative and go on more dates! THANKS!
smilin_chick@hotmail.com

. said...

follower
smilin_chick@hotmail.com

. said...

fb like
smilin_chick@hotmail.com

amy said...

I had never played Scrabble until this past summer. (a little slow, I know!) it is my new favorite game! And I love the Wanchai Ferry sweet and sour--perfect for those nights I'm craving Chinese!

amy said...

I follow a little tipsy!

amy said...

I like Tipsy on FB!

Reagan said...

I'm a follower!

Felicia said...

Fun idea! Thanks for the giveaway!

Felicia said...

i follow you!
feliciawilson(at)gmail(dot)com

Tim said...

Thanks for hosting a great giveaway.

tahearn at roadrunner dot com

Tim said...

I follow with google friends.


tahearn at roadrunner dot com

isaacandruth said...

We love stay at home date nights - they have been some of our favorites!

isaacandruth said...

I also "like" you on FB! :)

Steph said...

What a fun idea. I like the hat your hubby is sporting.

Mari said...

Thanks for the giveaway. This would come in handy for date night.

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mari said...

I am a FB fan (Mari Doug)

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mari said...

I follow your blog.

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mari said...

http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=177739035587372&id=520433979


runningmatey at hotmail dot com

SLucy said...

We don't have any kids so any night can be date night ;)
hypersky5@hotmail.com

SLucy said...

I follow your blog as hypersky5
hypersky5@hotmail.com

SLucy said...

I follow you on fb
hypersky5@hotmail.com

SLucy said...

I tweeted about this giveaway as hyperskygirl
hypersky5@hotmail.com

Valerie said...

What a fun giveaway- thanks!

Valerie said...

I follow your blog

Valerie said...

And, I liked you on Facebook!

Kiley said...

ooh! A date night of any kind with my husband would be nice!!
chong5_kjb(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kiley said...

I follow A Little Tipsy

Holly said...

I love to follow A Little Tipsy. Thanks for all the great ideas...LOVE the Scrabble by candlelight!!!

Anonymous said...

I love date nights, but how often do the children stay in bed?
christina3579@yahoo.com

Jessica said...

My husband love the Wanchai Ferry kits. Thanks for the giveaway!
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I like your facebook page (Jessica Miller)
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/jjak2003/status/15341653082505217
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} said...

Your Chinese night looks like so much fun in the photos :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
http://scr.im/ladybugemail

Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} said...

Publicly following A Little Tipsy with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}]
http://scr.im/ladybugemail

Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} said...

I Like A Little Tipsy on Facebook
http://scr.im/ladybugemail

Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} said...

Shared the giveaway on Facebook
http://scr.im/ladybugemail

*Heather* said...

Stay at home date nights are the best. Thanks for the fun ideas!

The Jeffers said...

Love the Chinese idea, I'm thinking of doing that this weekend and since my hubby and I love sushi I'll through in a few rolls to surprise him for an appetizer:) we'll travel on date night from japan to china:)!!! This would be a great package to win, thanks for the opportunity!!

Cherloo said...

GFC Follower
cher_theblondeprincess@hotmail.com

m.a. said...

Ooh, I love to win!! mariannenicolaysen at gmail.com

m.a. said...

Facebook Fan! mariannenicolaysen at gmail.com

Lee said...

This would be lots of fun to win!
thanks
butler83ataoldotcom

Lee said...

I am a follower!