Date Night Gift Basket Ideas: Turning Your Evening Into Something Special

Here's the thing: Relationships have a sneaky way of slipping into autopilot quickly. You know: One day you're planning weekend adventures together, the next you're arguing over who picked up the dry cleaning, and barely making eye contact over last night's leftover pizza.

Date nights are meant to interrupt that slide - not as a cheesy performance of romance or a chore to tick off, but as a deliberate decision to really focus on each other again. To have a conversation that's not just about the logistics of life. To remember what made you fall for this person in the first place.

The thing is, "date night" has gotten stuck in people's minds as meaning a fancy restaurant reservation - which sounds great in theory, but when you factor in the cost, the babysitter, the 45 minute wait for a table, and the reality that you're probably just too exhausted to make it past 9PM - it just doesn't add up. There's got to be another way to have a fun date night.

Rethinking Date Night: Beyond the Restaurant Reservation

The idea of organizing a romantic night at home gets a bad rap, like it's giving up on adventure or admitting defeat to sweatpants and Netflix on auto-play. But the key difference is intentionality.

When you put some thought into it, staying in can actually be way more intimate than going out. No clatter of restaurant noise to drown out conversation, no performative acting for the couple at the next table, no rush to get through the meal because they need the table back. Just you two, undistracted and enjoying some quiet quality time together.

That's where a bit of planning or a well-chosen gift basket comes in - to create an experience that feels like a real date, not just another regular Thursday night.

Six Date Night Gift Basket Ideas

The best date night is the one that actually suits you—not some generic notion of romance. You know whether your partner would rather split a bottle of wine over a cheese board or compete ruthlessly at trivia. Whether they'd melt at the idea of a spa evening or find face masks vaguely alarming. 

Browse Baskits' selection with your particular person in mind, and choose something you'd genuinely enjoy together. To get you started, here are six date night basket ideas worth considering.

1. The Gourmet Picnic

Who says picnics require a park? Spread a blanket on your living room floor, set out some candles, and suddenly you've got a romantic vibe. Or, if it’s a nice summer day, take it to the backyard, a rooftop, or an actual outdoor spot if you're feeling ambitious.

Here’s what makes it next-level: Artisan cheeses, quality crackers, charcuterie, olives, something sweet for after, and a bottle of wine you wouldn't buy on a random Tuesday. Baskits' gourmet Picnic Basket is essentially picnic-ready—brie, crackers, and all the accompaniments, beautifully arranged so you don't have to think about it.

2. Movie Night, Elevated

You probably watch movies together all the time, but this is different. This is choosing a film neither of you has seen (or one you both love), making proper snacks, turning down the lights, and treating it like an event rather than background noise while you scroll your phones.

The snack spread matters here—some fancy popcorn, some good chocolate, maybe something bubbly. A cozy blanket to share. Baskits has a great Movie Night basket that includes exactly this combination—treats, sweets, and even a trivia game for afterwards—so you can skip the assembly and go straight to opening credits.

3. At-Home Spa Evening

This is especially good when life has been especially crazy. Draw a bath. Light candles. Put on music that isn't your usual playlist. Take turns with face masks or give each other actual massages (not the half-hearted "I'll rub your shoulders for 30 seconds" kind).

Baskits' spa collections are all about this - bath bombs, good soaps, candles, and chocolate because, let's be real, what's relaxation without a little something sweet? Our "Spa Day" and "Me Time" baskets include everything from Himalayan salt soaks to face masks, plus treats to enjoy while you unwind.

4. Wine and Cheese Tasting for Two

Turn snacking into a fun activity. Choose a few different cheeses, pick some wine to go with them, and actually talk about what you're tasting. Sounds a bit pretentious, but it's actually pretty enjoyable - and it gives you a chance to focus on each other that isn't just "how was your day?"

Baskits' wine gift sets come with curated pairings: Artisan cheeses, crackers, charcuterie, and a bottle (or two) to work through together. No sommelier certification required.

5. Game Night

Competitive streak? Lean into it. Dust off that old board game, find a 2-player card game or go for some trivia - a fun way to rekindle that connection that doesn't involve staring at a screen.

Baskits' "Perfect Night In" gift set was made for this: it includes trivia games alongside treats and a cozy cable-knit blanket for the inevitable post-game snuggling.

6. Breakfast in Bed Date

Flip the script entirely. Morning people or not, there's something luxurious about starting a weekend with nowhere to rush off to, good coffee, and something better than your usual cereal. Make pancakes together, or keep it simple with pastries and fresh fruit.

Baskits' gourmet breakfast selections (like Let’s Do Brunch) include premium coffee, teas, jams, and treats that make an ordinary morning feel like a small celebration.

Other Tips for Enjoying a Stay-at-Home Date Night

The basket sets the scene, but a few little tweaks can make the difference between "special evening" and "Tuesday with snacks."

• Get the kids out (if you've got them). Arrange a sleepover, call in grandparent reinforcements, or time it for when they're already staying at a friend's house. Half-attention date nights won’t cut it. You need actual privacy, not one ear listening for footsteps on the stairs.
• Light some candles. Yes, it's a bit cheesy - but it works. Overhead lighting is for doing taxes, or whatever. Candlelight is for feeling romantic. Even a few tea lights scattered around will totally shift the mood.
• Put the devices away. Not on silent. Not face-down on the table. Actually away—in another room, in a drawer, somewhere you can't see them glow. You can’t be fully present with someone while half-wondering what's happening on your phone.
• Tidy up first. It's hard to relax into romance when you're staring at a pile of laundry or stepping over toys. You don't need to deep clean, but spend ten minutes stashing the clutter. Clear space, clear mind.
• Break your usual patterns. If you change into the same old joggers every night, your brain's just going to file this night away as "another evening." Wear something that feels good - doesn't have to be fancy, just makes you feel more put-together. Try not to default to your usual veg-out spots, either. Shake things up.
• Choose music deliberately. Don't just go with whatever's auto-playing on your speaker. Pick something that feels right - jazz, acoustic, the album you used to listen to when you first started dating... Music helps your brain get into the right frame of mind.
• Don't overplan. You're not trying to run a perfect evening - you just want to enjoy each other's company. Put the basics in place (food, drinks, activity), then see where the night takes you. Some of the best date nights are the ones where you ditch the original plan halfway through.

The Ultimate Ingredient: Intentionality

What turns any of these nights into a real date is the conscious decision to make it one. It's the difference between whipping up leftovers while half-watching the news and setting the table, lighting a candle and sitting down to a proper meal together.

A gift basket handles all the hard work for you - which, let's be real, is half the battle. When someone else has put together the perfect cheese-to-cracker ratio and wrapped it all up nicely, all you have to do is show up and pay attention to each other.

Whether you're planning a date night for yourselves or gifting one to another couple—newlyweds figuring out married life, new parents desperate for connection beyond baby logistics, or friends celebrating an anniversary—a thoughtfully assembled basket says: "Here's everything you need. Now go remember why you like each other."

Browse Baskits' romantic and couples collections to find the right fit for your next night in.