At Home Date Nights

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful time together in Chicago last weekend. It was so great, in fact, that we're walking around the house now saying things like, "Gee. That was really fun." "Yeah, we should do that more often." But the reality is a big weekend like that isn't in the cards (or the Ark's budget) for a weekly date night. It left us thinking about when we were newly married, stationed in Germany, with a newborn in tow. Wanting desperately to have occasional date nights, we resorted to taking turns planning "at home" date nights once the Boy was asleep. Themed dates like Poker Night, Home Brewed Coffee Shop and Movie night-in were created--and enjoyed--very much. We've decided to try and resurrect this ancient Ark tradition, but I thought I'd ask for a little assistance.

So, friends, any great date night ideas out there? I know that Laura has been doing a series on frugality and I think the "at home" date night idea scores big points in that category. Perhaps there are some frugal, yet fun, and still romantical (as Paula Deen says) ideas out there? Suggestions, please---Date night is less than a week away!