Couples get creative with lockdown dates

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Couples across Britain and further afield have proved they aren’t letting coronavirus come between them, as they think of new and creative ways to keep their romance alive.

In one instance, Jamie Nedwoh, from Leeds, set up a home cinema to watch Afterlife with his wife on Netflix.

Elsewhere, Mike, from London, created a crazy golf course for his girlfriend, while Allison Reese, from Chicago, revealed her wife set up a whole movie night experience in their home.

Meanwhile a British couple enjoyed a romantic camper van dinner date, and George Elrod, from Chicago, had a Chopped style cooking competition with his boyfriend.

Home cinema

Comedian Allison Reese, from Chicago, revealed her  wife set up a detailed home cinema, complete with movie options and viewing times, seen. She wrote: ‘My wife ‘took’ me on a date to the movies. It was stupid cute and VERY expensive.’

Sharing pictures on Twitter which garnered thousands of likes, she showed a picture of a concession stand complete with 'very expensive' snacks and drinks on offer (converted from their home kitchen)

Sharing pictures on Twitter which garnered thousands of likes, she showed a picture of a concession stand complete with ‘very expensive’ snacks and drinks on offer (converted from their home kitchen)

Allison's wife even created an 'admit one' movie ticket for the fun date night event, proving you don't have to leave the house. She racked up over 250,000 likes for the romantic post

Allison’s wife even created an ‘admit one’ movie ticket for the fun date night event, proving you don’t have to leave the house. She racked up over 250,000 likes for the romantic post

Comedian Allison Reese, from Chicago, revealed her wife set up a detailed home cinema, complete with movie options and viewing times, seen. She wrote: ‘My wife ‘took’ me on a date to the movies. It was stupid cute and VERY expensive.’

Sharing pictures on Twitter which garnered thousands of likes, she showed a picture of a concession stand complete with ‘very expensive’ snacks and drinks on offer (converted from their home kitchen) 

Allison’s wife even created an ‘admit one’ movie ticket for the fun date night event, proving you don’t have to leave the house. She racked up over 250,000 likes for the romantic post 

Camper van dinner 

A British couple enjoyed a romantic camper van dinner date, writing: 'Had a lovely date night in the van tonight'

A British couple enjoyed a romantic camper van dinner date, writing: ‘Had a lovely date night in the van tonight’

They added cushions, wine, tealights and mats to the space, and later put in some cosy lamps to add to the atmosphere as night fell

They added cushions, wine, tealights and mats to the space, and later put in some cosy lamps to add to the atmosphere as night fell

The couple went viral with the post, which showed an ambient setting and a glimpse of their front drive, racking up 12,000 likes and comments

The couple went viral with the post, which showed an ambient setting and a glimpse of their front drive, racking up 12,000 likes and comments

A British couple enjoyed a romantic camper van dinner date, writing: ‘Had a lovely date night in the van tonight’.

They added cushions, wine, tealights and mats to the space, and later put in some cosy lamps to add to the atmosphere as night fell.

The couple went viral with the post, which showed an ambient setting and a glimpse of their front drive, racking up 12,000 likes and comments.

Outdoor cinema 

Meanwhile Jamie Nedwoh, from Leeds, set up a home cinema to watch Afterlife with his wife on Netflix, racking up over 3,000 likes

Meanwhile Jamie Nedwoh, from Leeds, set up a home cinema to watch Afterlife with his wife on Netflix, racking up over 3,000 likes

Jamie Nedwoh, from Leeds, set up a home cinema to watch Afterlife with his wife on Netflix.

He wrote: ‘Set up a home-made outdoor cinema for the wife and smashed through our first episode of #AfterLife2 as a date night #lockdownuk’, racking up over 3,000 likes.

Crazy golf 

Mike, from London, created a crazy golf course for his girlfriend in their background, compolete with a number of obstacles

Mike, from London, created a crazy golf course for his girlfriend in their background, compolete with a number of obstacles

Mike, from London, created an intricate crazy golf course for his girlfriend in their background, compolete with a number of obstacles.

Racking up over 2,000 likes, he wrote: ‘Keeping busy during quarantine with home made Garden Crazy Golf for a saturday date night.

‘BBC Radio 1 providing the tunes and thank you for the idea from one of your listeners!!!’

Painting class 

Katya Jeanne, from St Louis, revealed her fiance created a 'paint and sip' date night for the two of them, calling it a 'perfect night' and posting a picture of the finished result

Katya Jeanne, from St Louis, revealed her fiance created a ‘paint and sip’ date night for the two of them, calling it a ‘perfect night’ and posting a picture of the finished result

Racking up over 4,000 likes, she shared a snap of their painting set up, and wrote: 'Day 3 of my #selfcare journey during #COVID19 was brought to you by my #Fiancénwho humored me in a #StayAtHome paint and sip date night!'

Racking up over 4,000 likes, she shared a snap of their painting set up, and wrote: ‘Day 3 of my #selfcare journey during #COVID19 was brought to you by my #Fiancénwho humored me in a #StayAtHome paint and sip date night!’

She shared a picture of her partner's impressive art work, garnering over 4,000 likes for their impressive efforts

She shared a picture of her partner’s impressive art work, garnering over 4,000 likes for their impressive efforts

Katya Jeanne, from St Louis, revealed her fiance created a ‘paint and sip’ date night for the two of them, calling it a ‘perfect night’ and posting a picture of the finished result. 

She wrote: ‘Day 3 of my #selfcare journey during #COVID19 was brought to you by my #Fiancénwho humored me in a #StayAtHome paint and sip date night! 

‘It was the perfect end to a long week that seems to be never ending! Cannot wait to do another! #CreateAtHome’.

Cooking competition

George Elrod, from Chicago, had a Chopped style cooking competition with his boyfriend and posted a picture of the signs on the door his partner had made - complete with fairy lights

George Elrod, from Chicago, had a Chopped style cooking competition with his boyfriend and posted a picture of the signs on the door his partner had made – complete with fairy lights

George posted a picture of the baskets of random ingredients they both had to create a unique meal, garnering over 40,00 likes

George posted a picture of the baskets of random ingredients they both had to create a unique meal, garnering over 40,00 likes

Adding another snap, he then wrote: S'tay safe everyone! Turns out we can’t cook! I made ... a salad, and Justin made a questionable stir fry!'

Adding another snap, he then wrote: S’tay safe everyone! Turns out we can’t cook! I made … a salad, and Justin made a questionable stir fry!’

George Elrod, from Chicago, had a Chopped style cooking competition with his boyfriend and posted a picture of the signs on the door his partner had made – complete with fairy lights.

George posted a picture of the baskets of random ingredients they both had to create a unique meal, garnering over 40,00 likes.

 Adding another snap, he then wrote: S’tay safe everyone! Turns out we can’t cook! I made … a salad, and Justin made a questionable stir fry!’.

 Al fresco dining 

Bryony Mole, from Northampton, shared a picture of the al fresco 'restaurant' her children set up in the garden - complete with menu and bar

Bryony Mole, from Northampton, shared a picture of the al fresco ‘restaurant’ her children set up in the garden – complete with menu and bar

Racking up 6,000 likes, she wrote: 'The kids made us a date night... They didn't load the dishwasher but other than that'

Racking up 6,000 likes, she wrote: ‘The kids made us a date night… They didn’t load the dishwasher but other than that’

The cute outdoor set-up included fairylights and a menu complete with three courses and 'Cam's bar'

The cute outdoor set-up included fairylights and a menu complete with three courses and ‘Cam’s bar’

Bryony wrote: 'The kids made us a date night... They didn't load the dishwasher but other than that'

Bryony wrote: ‘The kids made us a date night… They didn’t load the dishwasher but other than that’

Bryony Mole, from Northampton,  shared a picture of the al fresco ‘restaurant’ her children set up in the garden – complete with menu and bar.

Racking up 6,000 likes, she wrote: ‘The kids made us a date night… They didn’t load the dishwasher but other than that’.

The cute outdoor set-up included fairylights and a menu complete with three courses and ‘Cam’s bar’, with Bryony writing: ‘The kids made us a date night… They didn’t load the dishwasher but other than that’. 

Don’t live together? Here’s how to keep a budding romance alive 

Celebs Go Dating’s resident love coach Anna Williamson, 38, from London, has shared her advice on what to do to keep things going – from writing each other romantic letters to getting to know each other with virtual online games. 

Plan a virtual date night

Lock-down means that brand new couples will have no idea when they’re next going to see each other, so there’s no use being fussy about your date nights.  

Instead of going out, plan a ‘virtual date night’ using Facetime, Skype or Zoom – or even plan going on a boozy night out with friends with the help of increasingly popular app Houseparty. 

Anna said: ‘Set a date and time to connect via video call, cook a meal ‘together’ at the same time, enjoy a glass of wine and connect with all the same chat and flirtation as you would if you were physically together.’ 

Go on a digital walk together

Although romantic picnics in the park are a no-go during lock-down, we’re still allowed to enjoy nature on our daily exercise, so make the most of it by sharing it with your other half.  

Anna said: ‘Take your phone on your daily walk and call each other so you can enjoy it ‘together’ commenting on where you’re going or what you can see. 

‘Or take photos/video clips of your walk to share with them so they feel as though they’re able to share your day with you.’ 

Get to know each other more

Just because couples aren’t physically together, that doesn’t mean you can’t get to know each other  – and it may even make it less awkward not sharing intimate or embarrassing details about yourself face to face. 

Anna suggested: ‘With fact finding games such as virtual Mr & Mrs or ‘would you rather’. 

‘This time is actually a great opportunity to find out some secrets about one another whilst having a giggle along the way!’ 

Write each other a letter or poem. 

Technology is at its peak, and is being used more now more than ever to communicate with loved ones – but why not take this as an opportunity to express your feelings in more traditional manner. 

Writing letters to your loved one, can add a more romantic feel to the relationship, even though you could be miles away. 

Anna said: ‘Use this time to express your emotions through writing things down, and don’t be afraid to tap into your romantic side if it feels right. 

‘Get your creative skills flowing and go old-school on the communication!’

Think of a joint goal. 

Simple activities like going for a coffee or heading to the cinema will mean even more once lock-down is over, so think about how you’ll spend time once we’re back to normality. 

Having a goal to work towards can help couples look ahead to when they’re reunited – and is a great way of finding out your other half’s favourite spots. 

Anne revealed: ‘It’s so important to have something to focus on, or to work towards and look forward to. 

‘Make some fun plans that you can do when you’re finally reunited – often the planning and anticipation of it is half the fun! 

Keep your head up!  

Although it’s tough, it’s important to remember that this is all temporary and it’s good to learn to appreciate each other.    

Anna said: ‘Remember the old adage “absence makes the heart grow fonder”? 

‘It might be tough being away from each other, but think about how much you’ll appreciate being in each other’s company once you’re able to hook up again. 

‘Distance can actually be a positive thing to really put into perspective how much someone means to you.’