If these days, your weekends are all about errands and catching up on sleep (or worse, work), it’s time to make some changes to your Saturday and Sunday lineups. Don’t get us wrong, sleeping in and hitting up the grocery store can still be on the agenda, but so should some couple time -- the kind where you’re awake and not shopping for TP. To get you started, here are some tips for making the most of your weekend.
Start It Off Right
Try making Saturdays and Sundays special by coming up with a weekend morning ritual. Whether it’s eating pancakes in bed, walking the dog or just reading the paper over a cup of coffee together, establishing a morning routine starts your weekend off on a special note and makes couple time a priority.
Try Something New
Make a point to do something different every weekend, whether it’s trying a new restaurant or changing up the Mad Men reruns for Boardwalk Empire. Taking time to brainstorm with your partner and move out of your humdrum routine will bring you closer -- and who knows, you might have some fun too? Need help getting started? Here are a few activities to try: Take cooking lessons; go see your favorite football team play live or watch them at a bar, instead of watching from your couch again; go for a hike; take dancing lessons together; see a play.
Make Time for Each Other
With baby showers, work conferences or deadlines, yoga classes, yard work and football games, it’s not always easy to make spending quality time with your partner a weekend priority. Work out a plan ahead of time, so you aren’t too tired or busy for a romantic date or just some cuddling on the couch.
Remember the Little Things
During the week, it may be hard to find time to kiss your partner goodbye, let alone go out of your way to do something thoughtful or romantic. So on your days off, it’s important to make the extra effort every once in a while. Maybe one Saturday, surprise your partner with breakfast in bed or offer to finally put up those shelves she’s been bugging you about. Or, take your mate to that movie he’s been dying to see (even if you have no interest in watching Mark Wahlberg solve a murder mystery). Trust us, the little compromises and extra effort won’t go unrewarded, and they’ll make your weekend (and week) go a lot smoother.
-- Samantha Leal