Flickr photo by Patrick HoelsyI have a confession. I have gone to IKEA on more than one date night. And I'll go again.
The IKEA date night phenomena came to my attention about a year ago, and I kind of laughed. Then we took my 3-year-old, snuggled my infant in my carrier, enjoyed some mac and cheese, and got to browse the new living rooms.
The IKEA romper room offers two hours of free child care if your kiddo is potty-trained and a certain height (that seems to coincide perfectly with potty-training). They have cheap meals and you can test out bed springs and dining room tables. That's fun, right?
We tried out this recession date night when the new IKEA opened in Brooklyn. Given the economic crunch that was happening last year, coupled with the increase in babysitter fees with the addition of our second child, my husband and I decided there were worse things we could do with our date night.
The first time it was quirky and funny, but now that we live in LA, have cars, and are short on home goods in our new pad, we've made this date night happen multiple times. You know what? It's still quirky and funny. And we're knocking things off our to-do list. The Swedish meatballs aren't half bad either.
Have you ever had a date night at IKEA? Would you?
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Comments 10
*shifts eyes*
Yes, I too have had an IKEA date night. It's fun to play house when you don't have your own!
i have to admit we spent our one year anniversary buying new furniture for our living room and valentines day buying a bedroom set...no ideal but it was still pretty great :)
Ikea is a rainy day destination for us for sure. But here is my question for you, HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO GET OUT WITHOUT BUYING A TON OF STUFF? You mention it as a recession date night destination. I'm impressed - you must have the will power of Suze Orman!
Paula
adhocmom
I haven't done it... yet. But I have taken my kids there on a rainy day to let them play and eat Swedish meatballs. It's a surprisingly relaxing playdate.
Paula - Lately I haven't been making it out the door without buying things, but last year when we were in Brooklyn it was very easy ato look around our crowded, tiny apartment and resist the urge to put one more thing in it -- no matter how cute and Euro.
I LOVE taking my husband and son there for lunch! Maybe when my kid's potty trained I'll be able to partake of the date night aspect!
OMG! Your IKEA provides TWO HOURS of care? Ours only gives 30 minutes :( Thats hardly enough time to get up the stairs and take a look around, so no, ive not done a date night at IKEA, but I would, I love the place! The kids love to play in the play room but 30 min. really isnt enough time.
We have done this. More than once. Before it was cool enough to post on a blog. Alone time with hubs is alone time with hubs. We had one breakfast on our very short honeymoon at IKEA and another dinner. I like their little food shoppe too
We don't live close enough to one, but we have done date night at a bookstore/coffeehouse.