Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 12:28 am
Are you looking for a gift for parents this Christmas? I have the perfect answer, “a babysitting voucher”. Yes, you read that right. As parents we love our little adorable monkeys to pieces but being a parent is tough. It’s not often you get to be just a couple again on a fancy night out. Date nights “in” are great after the kids have gone to bed and Mr P and I make time for each other this way but a true night off is a special treat.
We were so grateful this past weekend to experience just that from the lovely Mamas & Papas The Home of little Christmases and their lovely campaign #MandPNightOff. We had the opportunity to take the night off, get dressed up, and hit the city center like the good old days just me and hubby.
All week we were deciding where to go and what to wear (well, I was of course). I wanted to wear something that would make me feel like an adult again and pretty for my hubby. The poor man comes home to hair thrown in a ponytail, makeup smeared and most likely my cleaning clothes or loungewear since I work from home too. I wanted to remind him that I can look nice for him and that alone feels very special. We choose a restaurant we have been dying to go to and haven’t had the chance, called Damson in the city.
This July was our last meal out just Mr P and I for our wedding anniversary. We often may eat out with clients or couples or as a family but I think there is something so different and special when it’s just the two of you. You talk about the future, the every day happenings and your feelings and really focus 100% percent on each other. In any relationship that is so important but specially when you have become parents. At home, you tend to talk about the kids and things that need to be done. On a night out, you can put all that aside and truly take the night off from responsibilities and all the to do lists.
From the moment I put my little black dress on and let my curls set. I felt excited for date night. I felt excited to be on the arm of my best friend, ready to take on the city together. Mr P and I are huge foodies so we had scoped out the menu the night before and knew who was ordering what. We always make sure not to get the same dishes so we can try more of the menu together. We had a lovely conversation on the car ride in as we don’t live close to the city anymore. I find car rides are great for quality time too. We laughed and joked with each other and it really felt like it had been ages since we did that. We both live such busy lives, both running our own businesses and taking care of our two tots, the house and whatever life throws at us. And sometimes I think it’s easy to be passing each other and go along with the routines, not stop and have these quality moments together.
Damson did not disappoint. The food which you can see for yourself was out of this world. I loved that we ordered dishes we have never had before or wanted to try. I think it’s one of my top favorite restaurants now I am not going to lie. My mouth was still watering after my main dish and while I was reading my dessert options. The coffees were as big as my head just the way I like them. I always say if I can’t swim in it, it’s not big enough. The atmosphere was lively and we had a view that was breathe taking of Media City. You can see behind all our food it looks like we are literally floating.
That’s what a dinner date should make you feel like, floating in beauty, good food, and love. Without sounding completely mushy and cliche, it really does keep “the sparkle” in a relationship. We as a couple will be the first to admit we get wrapped up in routines and daily life and need to stop and make time for each other to feel connected, as I am sure everyone does.
I left holding his hand feeling like I have the best friend I could ask for a husband and how lucky is that? Not only is he a great father but we have the best connection in the world and sometimes we just need a night off to reflect on it to keep the fire burning. It made a spring in my step and our weekend a very special one to remember. Thank you so much Mamas & Papas!
Why not give the gift of “a babysitting voucher” to a couple you know? Trust me, it’s what every parent wants this Christmas. Click the link to download your voucher.
*collaboration
Oh my goodness, this is exactly what I want for Christmas!! Top of my list. I can’t actually remember the last time Paul and I went out together, just the two of us. We need to find a babysitter, pronto!
Email the link to a family member as a present hint you can acutally print out the babysitting vouchers to give in an envelope or maybe do it for a friend on the notion they will do it for you like a baby sitting swap!!
How lovely of Mamas and Papas to give you a night off and the voucher is such a lovely idea x
I think so too on the vouchers being printed and you can make them into a lovely present. It was such a great quality time that we needed so badly.
What a lovely idea to do babysitting voucher, and how lovely of mamas and papas to send you on a night out together. The food looks delicious and I found myself nodding to everything you said about making thr time to go out as a couple. We too haven’t been out just us since wedding anniversary also in July, and with baby on the way, we don’t feel much like going out at the nonentity, but I shall definitely make the time in the new year. Looking absolutely gorgeous by the way Jenny! Xx
Oh thank you so much darling that’s so sweet of you. Life is so busy I think we always put ourselves and our relationship on the back burner in terms of quality one on one time together. It’s hard to make time with kiddos and work and house obligations but it makes it feel more of a treat when you do get out. It was so amazing and I am grateful for M&P for it.
Babysitter vouchers sound perfect. It’s so so easy to forget to spend time together properly isn’t it? You look gorgeous by the way and I’m going to Google that restaurant 🙂
It was amazing. I was very impressed with the restaurant. We had such a great time just us two together. It’s nice to 100% percent focus on just each other with no interruptions and someone serving us. Thanks it was an old dress but I felt me again the adult me not the mommy me.
Yes please! I would love a babysitter 🙂 Now the Tubblet goes to Guides, we drop her off, have Date Night in the pub and then go pick her up on the way home at 9pm. As we don’t have sitters locally, we got inventive.
Glad you both had a wonderful time
Oh that sounds like a great idea and quality time well spent for all of you.
Oh what a cute idea! We regularly have date nights ‘in’ but rarely go out. We are going out 3 times over Christmas though- I won’t know myself!! You looked lovely hun xx
Aw this is a lovely post Jenny and you can certainly tell you had a fantastic night. Media City is beautiful at night, and the restaurant looks amazing. We are lucky as we try and get out once a month just the 2 of us, as my mum is only a few minutes away for babysitting duties. We are off out on Saturday for our pre Christmas night out and I cannot wait xx
Oh have so much fun for your preChristmas night out. Media City is beautiful at night it was our first visit but hopefully not our last one.