5 ways you can spend date night in the ‘new normal’

From hanging out whenever they liked, couples all over the Philippines have suddenly found themselves needing to practice social distancing from each other due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

However, as the country eases to the “new normal” and several establishments resume operations under the general community quarantine, there are now more activities that couples can do together.

If you’re part of a couple who have been in quarantine together or like the rest who live apart from each other, here are a few date night ideas that will bring out the romance in your relationship and at the same time keep you both safe:

1. “Attend” a concert together.

Since the start of the pandemic, many artists have performed online, whether for a cause or just to bring entertainment to everyone.

If you and your partner have a favorite band who’s about to perform live online, then you can set that as your date night. Just video call each other and “attend” the concert together. It’s not the same as watching a live performance at a venue, but at least you can listen to the band with the person you love.

You can even sing along to the lyrics together and reminisce!

READ: Ben&Ben to perform ‘Lifetime’ live this weekend!  

2. Have a romantic dinner.

If you’re staying in quarantine together, that’s great! Simply set a date night and order your favorite dishes. Since many restaurants now offer delivery services, you can order various selections, from Japanese and Korean to Filipino food and a variety of other cuisines. Don’t forget dessert!

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For your date to be extra special, you can prepare the table with some flowers and light some candles.

However, if you don’t live together, you can set a date night and order the other person’s favorite food and have it delivered to their doorstep.

Set up a video call as you guys eat “together.” Hopefully with the internet on your side, you can have a relaxing conversation and cheers to your new normal.

3. Get cozy with a Netflix Party movie night.

Since going to the cinema isn’t an option right now, couples can watch a movie together using one of Netflix’s latest free features, the Netflix Party.

Simply install the Netflix Party chrome extension, open your account on Netflix.com and choose your film.

The site will give you a link that you can give to your partner, allowing you to watch the film at the exact same time. You can even video call using other social media apps so it feels as if you're actually there with each other as you watch the same screen.

4. Schedule a night at a virtual museum.

Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you can’t have a romantic night at a museum.

Since the pandemic started, various museums around the world have opened their doors for the public to visit their galleries, albeit virtually.

Instead of paying thousands of pesos to fly to Paris and visit the Louvre, you can now open a site and feel as if you’ve stepped right inside.

Apart from the Louvre, you and your partner can also “visit” the famous Ghibli Museum in Japan.

READ: You can now virtually experience the famous Ghibli Museum in Japan 

If you and your partner are art or history fanatics, then this date night is for you! Just put your partner on video call and explore the museum together.

5. Get competitive on game night.

If you and your partner love to challenge each other, then a game night may just be perfect for you two.

If you’re in the mood for puzzles, visit Enchambered’s Alone Together escape room and help each other break codes.

If you’re in for a chill game, you can download Houseparty on your mobile phone and play numerous mini games with each other while on video call. – RC, GMA News