It’s hard to believe that we’ve been living through a global pandemic for the last five months. Although, we may not be on mandatory lockdown anymore, I know many of us are still trying to figure out how to operate in this “new normal.”
While you may venture out from time-to-time, home is still the safest bet. Pre-corona, your home may have been your personal sanctuary—the place you could go to decompress from the outside world. Nowadays, it can feel hard to find a sense of balance when it can serve as anything from a school, an office to a place of recreation. That can be a lot for anybody, which got me to thinking about people in relationships. How do keep things spicy? I know one way *insert googly eyes,* which will probably result in a lot of quarantine babies later this year/early 2021.
But for real, how do you keep the romance going when a lot of your options are limited? Or for my singles, is dating even an option in 2020 or is that canceled too?
I know many couples, whether married or just dating, have had to really tap into the right side of the brain and get those creative juices flowing to keep their relationships going. But trust, quarantine dating life doesn’t have to be dull. Let me help you put the fun (and sexy) back into dating with these four wine (of course) inspired tips.
Virtual Wine Tastings or Dinners
Staying at home doesn’t have to be boring. I told you in my new “Wine Tasting @ Home Edition” series that there are plenty of virtual wine experiences that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Plenty of wineries and wine bars are offering online tastings. They’re really easy to participate in. All you have to do is pick-up or order the featured wines beforehand and then log onto Zoom for the actual tasting. There are private options like the one I did with Onx last month or you can join in a group setting with your partner. I’ve seen some really cool tastings. Last week, I participated in a travel and wine virtual happy hour that was really entertaining. I plan to blog about that later this month, but one thing I noticed when I looked at the attendees was that there were a lot of couples participating. What a cute date night?!? I’ve also seen certain places offering virtual wine dinners. Same concept, except you’re picking up a meal along with wine and then someone will walk you through the pairings. An at-home dinner date with wine? Yes, please! You could do something fun like this no matter what stage in the relationship you’re in.
Indoor or Outdoor Wine Picnic
I love the idea of any kind of picnic. I think they’re so cute. And, the one good thing about a picnic is that they’re pandemic-friendly. You can set one up in your living room, backyard, or even go to a nearby park. Picnics are super easy to put together. All you need is a nice, big blanket and then you might consider preparing a meal or putting together a charcuterie tray. I’m going to say keep it light and opt for a nice meat and cheese spread. You can add fruit, veggies, nuts….you name it! And, of course include your favorite wines. If you’re indoors, you can easily light some candles, play some music, or you could even watch a movie during your picnic. If you choose to go outdoors, bring your portable speakers and don’t forget the mosquito spray because IT IS summer time. But, regardless this is another great example of how you can bring the sexy back into date night in safe way.
Paint & Sip
A couple of years ago, I went on a date to this sip & paint place and it was a good time despite the fact that I really wasn’t feeling the guy I was with. But, I say that to say you can’t go wrong with wine and a little art. The cool thing about paint & sip is that you don’t have to actually go into a physical place anymore. They have virtual classes. You can create the exact same ambiance (and probably even better) at your own home. Again, all you have to do is purchase the materials and of course don’t forget the wine and charcuterie board. Then log on to your Zoom class. How fun would that be with your significant other? I don’t know about you, but I’m always done to try something new.
Blind Tasting
Now, I tried to tell you about my sexy little blind tasting idea back in February. This idea is good all year long though. All you need is, 4-5 different types of wine, glasses, and a blind fold. And, if you really want to jazz it up, you can add chocolates and strawberries to pair with the wine. All you have to do is blindfold your partner and then kindly (lol) walk them through the tasting. Whatever happens during or after is up to you!
So, there you have it! Four examples of date ideas to give a try while you’re still self-quarantining. The moral of the story is that dating or maintaining a relationship doesn’t have to be hard during these crazy times. You just have to get creative! And, adding a little wine to the mix doesn’t hurt. If you’re looking for virtual tastings, dinners or paint & sips in your area, I’d start with Eventbrite for options and you can also check with your local wine bars/shops. If you have any other suggestions, please leave them in the comment section. Happy quarantine dating! Until next time…glasses up!
