*This post is done in partnership with Date Night In Box (DNIB), but all thoughts and opinions are 2LWithIt’s*
Date Night In Box (DNIB) is a monthly subscription that sends couples a curated box, complete with a soundtrack, recipes, games, crafts, and thoughtful conversation starters.
One of the things I like most about DNIB is their partnership with Tri-Development Center of Aiken County (TDC). TDC helps individuals with autism, head and spinal cord injuries, and intellectual disabilities, find employment in Aiken, South Carolina. TDC finds the helpful hands that put together each and every DNIB (and Kids Night In Boxes, too). I love to support companies that give back to their communities, so if you’re looking to give a gift that supports a good cause, look no further!
This month’s theme is “Foundations of Love,” which aptly fits between the start of the new year (and maybe some new goals for your relationship) and the onslaught of candy hearts and chocolates next week (aka Valentine’s Day).
Compared to previous boxes, I’d say that this box is more activity-focused than other ones we’ve done together. At first, I was kind of disappointed that there weren’t any cool keepsakes to make, like the wooden tile (in this box) or the candle (in this box).
That being said though, I don’t think I’ve laughed harder than I did going through the “challenges” included in this month’s box. Each one literally (and metaphorically) builds upon the previous one, so by the end of the date, you will have spent quite a bit of time problem-solving with your partner.
This box is centered around the idea that a relationship requires a strong foundation to carry you and your partner through different phases in life. In addition to the activities, that were truly a test of patience and working together, we used the faith-based discussion guide, which is an optional addition to any box, to deepen our conversation.
I really like how the guide is broken-down into three ways to foster love in a relationship: to communicate it, to pursue it, and to commit to it. It’s true – in order to maintain a healthy relationship with someone, you have to constantly put in the work to communicate and commit to being with that person each and every day. It’s not a one time thing, or even something that you do when it’s convenient…it’s an all the time thing.
In this month’s box, you’ll also notice another difference (if you’ve received previous boxes) and that’s the optional dinner menu recipes going completely online. Previously they were included in the guide that comes with the box, but now you have to hop on the computer (or your phone) and look up the recipes there. It’s not a terrible inconvenience, but nonetheless a change to note.
We really enjoyed this month’s recipes. They were easy to make, full of flavor, and took out the guesswork out of us having to make some snacks while we tinkered with the challenges. The only comment we had about the food is that one of the recipes (the deconstructed guacamole) calls for pomegranate seeds, which aren’t in season in California. I’m not sure if that’s true for other people receiving this box, but we had to search high and low at the grocery store, and luckily found a little container of seeds in the back. Maybe this is something DNIB could consider for future boxes (that seasonal ingredients are easier & fresher to find), but nonetheless the optional dinner menu was a hit.
Included are photos of our guacamole (with the limited edition seeds), as well as the cinnamon and sugar churro muffins (which were my guy’s favorite – the perfect amount of sweet and fluffy, aka great road snacks for him to take on his upcoming boys’ weekend in the mountains).
All in all, another great box. Even though I was apprehensive about a box filled with craft materials (hello, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, straws, and tape), it turned out to be a lot of fun and an opportunity for us to be silly and work together. Sometimes you just need something (literally) out of the box to do together, and this was exactly that.
For pricing and more details about the boxes, check out Date Night In’s pages here:
Use code “BEMINE” for 20% off all plans; limited quantities apply.
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