Stay at Home Date Idea: Spicing Up Movie Night

stay at home date idea

While home theaters are generally considered “man-cave” domain, they are useful for the entire family. One of the best uses is for a stay at home date idea with your significant other. Even though at-home date nights have gotten a bad rap as a cop-out date, they don’t have to be that way. With a little creative planning, you can make the home theater the most romantic home in the house. The best way to take an evening movie from boring to surprising is to take it up a level. 

Focusing on the Details

The biggest problem with a stay at home movie night is that you don’t have to put any effort into it. Most couples are wearing pajamas or something super oversized and comfortable. Sitting in two separate seats, you are not interacting. While there are times that couples enjoy this type of activity, it gets old if you do it too much. To help make the night special and exciting, put some thought into the details. You can do as little or as much as you want, but know that surprising your date will be part of the fun.

Picking the Movie

The first part of any movie night is picking the movie, usually by surfing through long lists of icons on your media server. Depending on the group you are with, this can take longer than to watch the movie. The reason it is so hard is because people have differing taste in movies, changing moods, and even read conflicting reviews. With just you and your date, you can take some initiative and already have a movie picked out. Remember not to pick something only you are interested in seeing, but think about your significant other. Choose one you’ve both been wanting to see or just one you’ve heard your partner mention wanting to watch. Once you have the movie, you can use it to choose other details.

Send an Invite

What will make your at home date night special is that you set it up with careful thought. Think back to when you first started dating. You would put a little more effort into planning, including asking out your date. So consider sending your date a special invitation ahead of time to let them know you have something planned for your date. This doesn’t have to be on paper, but it could be a text or email. Any kind of notification will let your partner know that you’re planning something out of the ordinary.

Hype It Up

Has this been a movie you two have been wanting to see for a while?

Whether it is or not you can still hype it up by talking it up throughout the course of the day or week.

To take things to the next level, make it a themed movie night. Wear certain clothes, eat movie-specific foods, and even decorate your viewing area. It’s little touches like these that will make your average movie night that much more special.

Seating

The way to make a movie-viewing date special is all in the set up. As mentioned before, at home movie dates usually involve sitting on different couches, in separate chairs, or just far apart. Most home theaters have separate reclining chairs, bean bags, or other single-type-seating, so it isn’t an intentional decision. Make the seating intentional by finding a way to make the seating different and exciting. Some ideas might be setting up an air mattress in the room, or watch the movie in a giant beanbag together. The point is to sit closer and interact somehow.

Food

This step can be as creative and expensive as you want. At the bare minimum, stop by your local grocery store and grab some of your favorite treats to share in a regular theater. Take the time to pop some popcorn and have both of your favorite drinks on hand. Have them prepared and laid out, ready to be eaten when it’s movie time. If you want to get fancy with the basics, try grabbing flavorings for the popcorn or a new recipe for your standard treats.

If you want to step it up to make it even more special, do a fun spin on dinner and a movie. Instead of going out for dinner though, do it inside of your home theater or movie viewing area. Knowing your partner’s preferences will be the key to success here. The dinner you pick should be based on something you both enjoy, whether it’s pizza and beer, steak and potatoes, or sushi. Order and pick it up, or make it yourself. You can set up the atmosphere for a great dinner inside the home theater room and either eat while you watch, or eat and then watch.

Atmosphere

Try adding a little romance. Set up a picnic on the floor of the theater and enjoy watching your movie on the ground. Bring in a table and prepare a nice candlelight dinner on a table in the back before going to the seating. Place candles around the room and have them lit to give a little light during the movie, but not so much light it’s hard to see the film. If you want, add a little music to play in the background. Have everything set up before so you aren’t fumbling with set up while your partner sits waiting. Also, have the movie already queued up on your media server to avoid distracting from the atmosphere you’ve set up once you’re ready to watch.

Taking It Up a Notch

If you need more inspiration, a fun idea is making the night themed, based on the movie you decide to watch. For instance, if you enjoy watching super hero movies together, make the food choices fun. Pull up your favorite search engine and look at what parents have done for their child’s birthday party. Or just tap into your cheesy side and nickname foods something related to the theme. If you want to get extra crazy, pick out some costumes for the two of you to wear.

Other ideas might be a little more difficult because the movie choice is serious. Movies with a major following, like the Godfather, are easy to theme a night around. If you are going with a choice that has a sadder message, balloons around the room isn’t appropriate. In those instances, you can have tissues around the room, extra blankets, or try to lighten the mood with a stack of ice cream cartons ready for eating those feelings away. No matter how you work out the theme for the evening, the effort and time put into the details will impress your date.

A Little Goes a Long Way

You don’t have to do all the suggestions in this article to elevate a regular movie night into a romantic date night. The idea behind these suggestions are that you are taking creativity and effort to make a special evening for the two of you to spend time together. Even if you don’t go into the extra steps of making the night themed, you will still have a successful date. The thing people want to see from their significant other the most is that they put the time into making them feel loved, appreciated, and valued. It really is that simple of a concept.

Next time you can’t think of something to do on the weekend, want to do something special for your significant other, or just want to do something new, you can use these ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Do not let yourselves get stuck in a rut of binge watching a television series. Keep the romance a live by investing in your relationship. Try making your next date an amazing, in-home movie date night and see how much it improves your love life. It will show your significant other just how much you love them.

Dating Decoded

Interested in learning how we here at emlovz can help you?

We teach our students the shortcut to finding their ideal match by MegaDating. MegaDating is our dating philosophy and it shapes everything we teach here at emlovz. Simply put MegaDating is dating prolifically with the specific goal of going on 20 dates in 90 days. This will give you ample women to compare and contrast so you can refine not only your dating skills but also who your ideal partner is.

To teach you how to quickly find highly compatible women in just weeks and become the most eligible bachelor in town you’ll team up with romantic experts, each skilled in their own unique area to support you.

Our Team

  • Emyli (me), co-founder, curriculum developer, head coach, and I host two coaching sessions every week
  • Thomas, co-founder, and coach. He’ll lead the biweekly Man Cave event where men come together to talk dating, bond with one another, and support other single men
  • Brooke, and Audrey are mock date specialists. Go on a practice date with them (and receive feedback) before your next date
  • Darshil is a confidence coach, wingman, and all around great guy to have on your team. Once student, now a teacher he knows what you’re going through and how to get the most from your dating life
  • Hailey is your new stylist. She’s worked with celebs from every industry and is now about to raid your closet
  • Tilly is our holistic sex & intimacy coach. She’ll help you get the most out of your sex life so you and your partner are happier between the sheets
  • Renee is our anxiety dating coach. As a licensed therapist she knows the steps needed to turn you into a cool, calm, and collected dater
  • Mia is our social media expert. Revamp your Facebook and Instagram profiles with her help and start meeting women online

Our Community

And look, we realize that the single life can be difficult. If accepted into our coaching program, Dating Decoded, you’d be joining a community of supportive men and coaches who are there to listen, support, and encourage you as you navigate the single life.

Our program offers every student a lifetime membership (as if you’ll need it) so the support won’t stop until you’ve found your ideal partner.

If you’re ready to find your forever partner, book a Zoom session with our team today. Together we’ll talk about your dating history, your goals and show you how our program, Dating Decoded, can help you find your ideal partner.

Hear what’s going on in our students’ dating lives.

8 Reasons Why Sex is Important in a Relationship

why sex is important in a relationship

Sex is important when it comes to any romantic relationship.

Sure, there’s much more to a relationship than sex, but getting busy is a major factor in maintaining a healthy, long-term partnership.

After dating for a period of time, many couples allow sex to fall by the wayside. Although this may seem like a normal evolution as relationships become more routine, it’s important that you understand why sex is important in a relationship — whether that relationship has been going on for three months or three years.

Sex can improve the connection between you and your partner, decrease stress and could even increase your lifespan! Learn more below.

Reason #1: Intimacy Increases Connection

why sex is important in a relationship

The words “sex” and “intimacy” can be used interchangeably, but they aren’t always one in the same. Case in point, the connection that comes from sex during a relationship is quite different than that you may feel after a one night stand.

When I talk about why sex is important in a relationship, I’m referring to intimate sex. So what is makes sex intimate?

  • A mutual respect and understanding of one another
  • Clear, open communication about desires as well as boundaries when it comes to sex
  • Comfort with yourself and the other person

Sex is just one aspect that can build intimacy, trust, and longevity in a relationship. And why is this connection so important?

Being able to have an intimate sexual relationship with someone is something that involves complete trust and respect. It also involves foregoing any shame, doubt or insecurity (you are gonna be naked, after all — it doesn’t get much more vulnerable than that) in favor of being with someone in a physical, emotional way.

Reason #2: When That Connection Builds Over Time, it Continually Strengthens the Relationship

why sex is important in a relationship

Having sex with someone — when it’s not purely for gratification, as with a one night stand or booty call — can be one of the pinnacles in building trust and strength in a relationship.

Sex in a committed relationship is a very special thing. Having sex means sharing yourself completely with someone and — regardless of how pleasurable sex is — it’s an extremely vulnerable state. As a carnal act, sex allows us to let go of our inhibitions, while also allowing us to feed our inhibitions and desires.

In a committed relationship, all these things are reserved for one person, which makes it extremely special and is one more reason why sex matters in a relationship.

Reason #3: Sex is Important for Your Overall Health

The third reason why sex is important in a relationship can actually lower your mortality.

Want to decrease your visits to the doctor? Put in some time in the bedroom to prevent a sick day or two.

Getting busy isn’t just about a good time, people — it could actually save your life!

(Sidebar: Please refrain from using the line, “If you have sex with me, it could save your life,” to pick up women. I can not be held responsible for any drinks that get thrown in your face.)

According to a bevy of studies, intercourse boasts a plethora of health benefits, including:

  • Decreased stress and anxiety
  • Greater ability to fight off colds and infections
  • Better memory
  • Increased fitness levels
  • Pain relief
  • Better sleep
  • A more youthful appearance (no, really!)
  • Decreased risk of heart disease and certain cancers

Looking at this list, it’s easy to see why sex is important in a relationship. And as far as taking care of your health goes, this is definitely one of the more enjoyable methods — i.e., getting busy definitely beats going on a juice detox IMO.

Reason #4: Sex Can Contribute to Happiness

why sex is important in a relationship

Saying that sex makes us happy may seem like stating the obvious, but allow me to elaborate.

That after sex glow that leaves you grinning from ear to ear can carry over into your overall happiness as a couple.

According to research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, couples who have sex once a week tend to be happier overall — significantly happier than couples who reported having sex once a month or less.

Moreover, for whatever reason, the “once a week” method seemed to yield the greatest results. A caveat is that, although this is frequent, going much above this number can lead to discomfort and negatively impact your relationship.

Basically, if your sex life is getting in the way of your daily responsibilities, it’s time to slow down.

Reason #5: It’s Important for You to Both Feel Desirable

why sex is important in a relationship

One semi-obvious reason sex matters in a relationship is desirability. Feeling desirable comes from more than physical elements of a relationship. Still, it’s undeniable that sex is an important component in letting both you and your partner know that — no matter how long you’ve been together — ya still got IT!

For both men and women, feeling desirable is essential to happiness and confidence in a relationship. We often hear about the importance of letting women know they are desirable, but this emphasis can sometimes come at the cost of male self-esteem.

Society can often lead women to mistakenly believe that, in order for a man to enjoy sex and feel desirable, they can simply show up. If a man is able to climax, some women may assume he is good to go and won’t give a second thought to the fact that she wasn’t feeling it.

But according to research, feeling desirable is just as important to men. And if the woman a man is with is noticeably disinterested in sex, it’s not going to make for a very intimate or enjoyable situation for the guy.

Surveyed men indicated that the following were important to them and made them feel desirable:

  • Compliments about physical appearance
  • Enthusiasm during sex
  • Initiating sex

For women, any form of sex has the potential to leave them feeling desirable, but the highest form of desirability comes when sex is a part of love. Attraction and sexual desire are just as much about mental stimulation as physical stimulation for women.

Below are some additional ways you can use sex to increase a feeling of desirability for you and your partner.

Good Sex Requires Practice

As with most things in life, practice makes perfect!

Sex is no exception.

A mistake many couples make as they get further into a relationship is allowing comfort to replace libido.

Now, it’s completely understandable that the gotta-have-you-right-then-and-there desire that accompanies that honeymoon phase of dating will dim somewhat, but that doesn’t mean you and your partner can’t still get creative when it comes to knocking boots.

Communication, Communication, Communication

It’s important that you and your partner keep sexual discussions open and frequent. These discussions should feel safe and free of judgment, which will allow both you and your lady to open up about what you both want out of your sexual relationship — what you want more of, what you haven’t tried yet, and what you’d prefer to STOP doing.

Be prepared to put your pride aside and not take things personally. For example, maybe something you enjoy (and assumed your partner enjoyed) during sex is something like light hair pulling. But then, once you allow her to have the floor on what she does and doesn’t like, she lets you know that it’s just not her thing.

Remember that this is not a critique of your sexual prowess — this is simply a matter of personal preference.

Being able to communicate and set boundaries will leave you both feeling more comfortable and open during sex, which can ALSO lead sexual activity to become more frequent.

Reason #6: Discover Something New

why sex is important in a relationship

Another reason why sex is important in a relationship is that it allows you to consistently be surprised (pleasantly, that is) by your partner, and vice versa.

The more often you and your partner have sex, the more likely it is that you’ll get into a rhythm you both enjoy AND that you may discover new positions, foreplay etc. that work well for each of you, thus improving your sex life and emotional connection.

Reason #7: Sex is the New Gym

benefits of sex in a relationship

Do you know why the gym above is empty? It’s because the usual gym rats figured why workout when they can get an adequate workout by just having sex.

Okay to be fair, having longer, more robust sex isn’t adequate preparation for a triathlon but it is a form of fitness.

The American Heart Association said that sexual activity is the equivalent to moderate exercise. Having sex will give you the same benefits that you get when you walk up a flight of stairs or power walk around your neighborhood.

So the next time you don’t have the energy to go to the gym, stay in and workout from the comfort of your own bedroom.

Reason #8: A Pain-Free Life

benefits of sex

The more I read about the benefits of sex the more I think it’s the Holy Grail, the Fountain of Youth, and panacea all rolled up in one bedsheet.

We all know just how bad of a pain problem Americans have. About 21% of us suffer from chronic pain. 

If only more of us knew that sex generates endorphins that are known to fight against migraines and back pains. Soon enough we’ll be off the pain medication and will start having sex in record numbers.

Hey, and even if it doesn’t fully clear up your headache at least you two enjoyed some quality time together.

Get Busy

Before you get get busy you need to find a partner.

If you’re tired of sitting back and letting the universe works its magic, then join Dating Decoded and learn how to MegaDate.

We teach our students the shortcut to finding their ideal match by MegaDating. MegaDating is our dating philosophy and it shapes everything we teach here at emlovz. Simply put MegaDating is dating prolifically with the specific goal of going on 20 dates in 90 days.

This will give you ample potential partners to compare and contrast so you can refine not only your dating skills but also who your ideal partner is.

To teach you how to quickly find a highly compatible partner in just weeks and become the most eligible single in town you’ll team up with romantic experts, each skilled in their own unique area to support you.

Our Team

  • Emyli (me), co-founder, curriculum developer, head coach, and I host coaching sessions every week
  • Thomas, co-founder, and coach. He’ll lead the biweekly Man Cave event where men come together to talk dating, bond with one another, and support other single men
  • Brooke, and Audrey are mock date specialists for men. Go on a practice date with them (and receive feedback) before your next date
  • Darshil is our mock date coach for women. Go on a practice date with them (and receive feedback) before your next date
  • Renee is our anxiety dating coach. As a licensed therapist she knows the steps needed to turn you into a cool, calm, and collected dater
  • Hailey is your new stylist. She’s worked with celebs from every industry and is now about to raid your closet
  • Tilly is our holistic sex & intimacy coach. She’ll help you get the most out of your sex life so you and your partner are happier between the sheets
  • Mia is our social media expert. Revamp your Facebook and Instagram profiles with her help and start meeting singles online

Our Community

And look, we realize that the single life can be difficult. If accepted into our coaching program, Dating Decoded you’d be joining a community of supportive singles and coaches who are there to listen, support, and encourage you as you navigate the single life.

Our program offers every student a lifetime membership (as if you’ll need it) so the support won’t stop until you’ve found your ideal partner.

If you’re ready to find your forever partner, book a Zoom session with our team today. Together we’ll talk about your dating history, your goals and show you how our program, Dating Decoded, can help you find your ideal partner.