Date night: It’s a hallowed tradition for couples across the land. And with the economy being what it is, it’s an increasingly at-home affair.
And why not? Not only is a nice evening at home cheaper, it’s quieter, and you don’t need to drive (assuming you and your prospective date live together, or indulge in the occasional sleep-over).
The modern stay-at-home dinner’s come a long way from our parents’ day, as well: Now you’ve got access to worlds of music, movies, and other entertainment, as well as a buffet of gadgets and appliances to set the mood, cook the food, and just generally make things easier. And with Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s the perfect time to nail your date night game.
Here are our faves.
Date Smart
You know that scene in Bruce Almighty where Jim Carrey uses his God powers to woo his lady-love? That power could be yours thanks to the latest crop of smart home devices.
Cleaning Up Your Act
First off, setting the scene. The last thing you want when you’re about to embark on an evening of romance is a mess. But let’s be honest, you also don’t want to spend more time than necessary cleaning.
Luckily, robot vacuum cleaners exist, and they’re more attainable than ever. The Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Mop Pro is the perfect example of what we’re talking about. It doesn’t just vacuum and mop, it comes with a suite of tricks to make pre-cleaning easier – you can set virtual boundaries, define rooms, and choose between three different cleaning modes. And it starts from only R630 with a monthly Rentoza subscription.
Words of Romance
Nothing spoils the romantic mood more than fiddling with your phone over dinner – even if it’s just to switch songs on that uber-smooth date night playlist you found on Spotify.
This is where a smart speaker will be your best friend. Take Google’s Home smart speaker: This clever little tube has Chromecast built-in, as well as Google Assistant. That makes changing songs or controlling a smart TV as easy as telling your digital helper to do it. And if you splash out on some smart plugs, you can even use it to dim the lights.
Now that’s setting the mood.
The Google Home smart speaker is a steal at R160 a month on a Rentoza subscription. And if you’re an Apple fan, we’ve still got you covered – you can get Apple’s HomePod Mini from R230 a month, and get all the same benefits.
It’s as easy as saying ‘Siri, play Barry White’.
Dinner and a Show
Who doesn’t love dinner and a movie? And with the glut of streaming services available now, you can watch everything from classics to the latest blockbusters.
Mealing and Dealing
But first, dinner. We know you want to make a dine-in date night splash – but that takes a lot of planning and effort. You won’t believe it, but a microwave is your friend here. Prep things like sauces or even whole dishes ahead of time, and then you can nuke ‘em in the microwave when you’re ready to serve.
The Hisense 36L microwave offers enough space to be useful, while still fitting snugly into just about any kitchen. And from just R180 a month with a Rentoza subscription, it’s a no-brainer for quick and easy meals – whether it’s date night or not.
Big-Screen Dreams
OK, dinner’s done, and it’s time to settle down with the popcorn (that you made in the microwave, right?). Nothing kills the Netflix and chill vibes quicker than a washed out movie and speakers that sound like they’re in the next room.
Step up your movie-night game with the Samsung 65-inch UHD Smart 4K TV. At just R1 040 on a monthly Rentoza subscription, it delivers tons of colour, along with 4K upscaling and native HDR. Not only that, it’s actually stylish, thanks to super-thin bezels and sleek unobtrusive legs.
It’s Your Night, Enjoy it
In today’s crazy busy world of trendy restaurants and buzzy (or loud) nightlife, it can be nice to take the easier path once in a while.
That’s what home date night should be: A nice way to relax without wannabe-influencers spoiling your dinner with incessant selfies. It’s a way to indulge in each other’s company without getting drinks spilled on you by a guy in a shirt two sizes too small.
And it can be even more relaxing with Rentoza. Our flexible, easy-access tech gives you the opportunity to set the scene, and make the most of what should always be a special night.
Because that’s what the subscription lifestyle’s all about: You.
