Without a doubt, married couples tend to have overloaded schedules. Between working full-time and taking care of the kids, who are now stuck at home too, you barely find time for each other. Now really is the time to develop cooking skills, and possibly have a dining area makeover to make meals a part of the day you anticipate for.

Indulge in unique, refreshing and fun dining experiences to keep the spark alive. If you have youngsters at home, it would be best to take them for a play date so that you have the house all to yourselves. We don’t want them to come between the fun, do we?

A date night doesn’t have to be extravagant to make a point to your partner. Call it cliché, but it’s the little things that matter most. Below are creative ideas for an at-home date night that you and hubby can indulge in to kindle the romance- no special occasion required:

• Have a Cook-off

There are a variety of great tutorials on delectable recipes that you and your partner can try out on various online platforms such as YouTube. Brainstorm on your favorite cuisines and decide which meals you’d want to cook for each other. A cook-off challenge adds some fun and playful competition as you experiment with different cooking techniques and ingredients. When done fixing each other a plate, beautifully set up the dinner table with a lovely tablecloth and matching napkins, an alluring centerpiece, and the locked up fine china you barely use.

• Balcony, Backyard or Garden Dinner Set-up

Take advantage of your outdoor space and make the most of it by creating an intimate, enchanting, captivating oasis of relaxation and enjoyment. Enjoy the sunset and later chatter away the night under the stars as you reminisce about the good times. Have warm blankets, some wine or hot drinks to chase away the cold.

• Indoor Campout

Revisit one of your favorite childhood projects- the blanket fort, by simply constructing a “den” indoors. All you need is draping sheets, blankets, a rug, pillows, pegs, and minimalistic lights. This space is perfect for chilly nights accompanied by cozy recipes. Get cuddly, chatty, or even play a film underneath if you please. Not too sappy, I hope?

• Movie Night

Snuggle up with your partner as you binge-watch shows online over finger-licking food or snacks and drinks. Create a movie theatre atmosphere in your living room by dimming the lights and placing scented candles. Keep it dark, intimate, elegant and tasteful as you possibly can. Whether you’re into comedy, horror, action, or fantasy films- make it worth your while. Don’t forget the popcorn!

• Game Night

Break away from the monotony of a long week by pulling out a deck of cards; playing board games; charades; scrabble; having head-to-head Play Station games or even play the classic Truth or Dare for an epic game night. Choose the right games, themes and rules that work for the two of you. Don’t forget to prepare scrumptious finger foods, and refreshing drinks to get you through the night.

• Spa Time

Without a doubt, a massage is rejuvenating and relaxing, but you should sometimes skip the expensive spa day appointment and let your partner do the rubbing. Couples can experience so many benefits from giving and receiving massages at home, including forming deeper connections both physically and emotionally.

Play some soothing music as you massage each other in turns to mellow out, release tension and connect more as a couple. Pick the best spot, and massage oils as you knead those knots away. Communicate verbally (or-non verbally) to be certain you’re hitting the right tight spots, and at the right pressure. A rubdown so good can lead to great things.

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No matter what you choose to do with your significant other, the idea of the date nights is to connect, and somehow make it special and memorable while of course; mitigating on costs. Although it can be fun and worthwhile to go out once in a while, you can also stay in and enjoy all the benefits of a regular date night with your loved one. Plan for that date night soon and stoke the flames of desire!

Written by Janet Ayara

The holidays are here with us and they are times to celebrate and have fun with family and loved ones. Traditions come to life and good times are to be had by all. But what happens after you have tied the knot and now the two families are forced to become one during the holidays?

A milestone in any romantic relationship is your first holiday together and making new memories to share in the years to come. Yet each individual has their own family and friends, along with customs and traditions that are near and dear to their heart.

Now, conversations and compromises are in order. To help things go smoothly and avoid any holiday tension,here are some of the things you must do to keep peace.

Communication is Key

It may seem like a now issue, but handling how to split the holidays can actually affect your relationship in the years to come. So if you find yourselves arguing or intentionally avoiding the uncomfortable task of planning how to spend the season, youll want to think again.

To start, recognize that while you each are forging a path for the future together, you both come from equally important families that may or may not have special traditions and you cant expect one another to simply leave them behind. Instead, find a balance.

A Learning Process

Whether your backgrounds are alike or similar, familiarize yourself with holiday customs, traditions, and recipes from each side. You may find that some lend themselves and this may ease in the compromises.

In most instances, people find themselves with a partner who was raised very similarly or perhaps very differently. We might have become attracted to and married someone with a very different background and initially felt eager to learn about that but when the holidays approach, we might find ourselves under more pressure from our own families and our partners for how to make this all come together.

If you have never missed a Christmas Eve away from your parents house, but for your partner the importance is more on Christmas Day problem solved. If, however, you both feel strongly about a specific day, it may be time rotate, split the day if distance allows, or forge ahead with an entirely new experience of your own.

Regardless of having to hammer out the details, the number one most important thing to keep in mind is that you should really be handling the holidays together.The worst thing that can happen is when one person decides it is all too much bother and too much work and says they will go on their own to see their own family. Doing so does not send the message to each other or to the respective families that the couple is in this together.

How to Find Solutions

What works for one couple may not work for you, but remember that there is always a solution.

Its also important to remember that whatever course of action you take this year does not dictate the future, nor does it set in stone how to proceed for every holiday season to come. Instead, view it as a trial and error experience. As a new couple, it is good to give yourselves the flexibility to borrow what works and then tweak and create brand new special traditions.

Keep in mind the reason for the season, after all when you feel that you are getting tense or stressed. Always remember that love, kindness and gratitude should be the driving force behind the holidays.

And don’t forget about self care. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, its important to take time for yourselves as a couple, too. While its easy to get lost in holiday plans and family gatherings, be sure to prioritize time dedicated to enjoying the new family you are creating together. This may involve going on a day trip somewhere new, going into nature, or taking a yoga class together.

It all boils down to compromise, communication and honesty. Handling the holidays gently, firmly, kindly and fairly for each other and in relationship to each persons family of origin goes a long way.

Practicing these skills now is also great practice for the futurefor example, when couples may go on to have children and will juggle demands for attention from grandparents and extended family and will need to set boundaries.

Its all part of the beautiful growing process that is being a couple in love. So, do your best to embrace this holiday season with an open mind and heart.

Settling into life as a married couple takes some work. If you’re taking your husband’s last name, you must complete the name change in several places. You also have to discuss managing money as a couple and learn how to live together.

Check the Samantha organizer for the to-do list for those changing their last names: Once the name change is complete, you can now focus on managing money as a couple. “Money is often a tricky topic for new couples,” says Sam Goller, the author of “Yes, You Can… Achieve Financial Harmony.” “But it’s important to start communicating about money at the beginning of your marriage.” Goller offers the following suggestions for newlyweds working to manage their finances as a couple:

1.Determine priorities

Prior to creating a financial plan, talk about your histories with money and what’s most important to each of you when it comes to money.

2.Find missing cents

You have to understand your spending habits before you can spend money in a way that helps meet your goals. Consider keeping a spending journal to find out where your money really goes.

3.Choose a system that works for you

You may prefer to sit down each month as a couple to pay bills and develop a monthly budget. Or maybe one of you is better at handling expenses and prefers to do it alone. Find a system that works with your needs. “The key to managing money as a couple is to never stop talking,” says Goller. “With shared determination, a plan and open communication, newlyweds have the power to improve their financial position both now and well into retirement.”

4.Get Organized

If you are combining your finances, work together to create a budget that is realistic and that will work for you both.

– Don’t forget to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.

– Work together to eliminate debt – the closer you both are to being debt-free, the easier it will be to apply for a mortgage together.

– Create a dedicated and organized space where you can pay and store bills.

– Look for savings opportunities

5.Create Financial Goals

Working together to identify your financial goals, focus on both short-term plans, like buying your first home, and long-term plans, like when and where you want to retire.

Is consolidating your finances right for the two of you? Determine how your shared finances will be managed:

– Identify your short-term goals, such as buying a home or raising children.

– Start investing now to ensure maximum growth over time.

– Develop an integrated savings and investment plan for your long-term goals

– Commit to regular investing, made easy with various financial products on the market.

6.Update Your Insurance Plans

There are a number of types of insurance couples can consider at this time, including life, disability, and health insurance. Even if they both have coverage, now is a good time to review what they will need to cover their joint responsibilities.

Things to consider include:

– Reviewing beneficiary designations for insurance policies.

– Reviewing your health coverage insurance options and be sure your selections will cover relevant medical expenses (such as pre-natal care cost).

– Be sure your insurance coverage is updated to include all family members.

7.Create a Will

If you haven’t already thought about estate planning, will your spouse be provided for if something should happen to you? Establish or update your will to include your spouse.

8.Start an Education Savings Plan

If you are planning to start a family soon, you can start saving for your child’s education now. College costs are soaring but with a well thought out plan that’s in place early, your investments may have the time they need to keep up. Compare your options and choose a college savings vehicle. Commit to monthly savings. Even small monthly payments can add up over time.