10 Ideas for Creating Mid-Week Magic
Why wait for the weekend? Make even humdrum hump days more memorable with these simple and satisfying tips
It’s easy to get in the habit of trying to speed through the week just to get to the big reward of a weekend off. But aren’t we missing out if we’re not making the most of the free time we do have on those weeknights? Here are 10 ideas for beginning to reclaim some of that time, even on a too-tired-to-cook Wednesday.
2. Make your own mini-bouquets
Fresh flowers, whether plucked from your own garden or picked up at the grocery store, make any table feel more special. Instead of fussing with a big arrangement, I like to divvy up a single bundle of flowers into little bud vases, and scatter these around the house. Place a row down the centre of your dining table and one beside your bed.
How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
Fresh flowers, whether plucked from your own garden or picked up at the grocery store, make any table feel more special. Instead of fussing with a big arrangement, I like to divvy up a single bundle of flowers into little bud vases, and scatter these around the house. Place a row down the centre of your dining table and one beside your bed.
How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
3. Take a sip and a snack outside
Pour yourself a special drink, load up a tray with little nibbles and head outside to enjoy some pre-dinner R&R. Better yet, invite over a neighbour or friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with for some low-key hangout time.
Pour yourself a special drink, load up a tray with little nibbles and head outside to enjoy some pre-dinner R&R. Better yet, invite over a neighbour or friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with for some low-key hangout time.
4. Do something a little bit different for dinner
Whether it’s cooking dinner on the barbecue and eating outside or carrying a feast to your nearest park to enjoy on a big blanket on the lawn, all it takes is a little twist to make a weeknight dinner more exciting. Here are a few more ideas:
Whether it’s cooking dinner on the barbecue and eating outside or carrying a feast to your nearest park to enjoy on a big blanket on the lawn, all it takes is a little twist to make a weeknight dinner more exciting. Here are a few more ideas:
- Make your favourite breakfast for dinner.
- Light candles and turn on some music. Bonus points if the music comes from the same country as what you’re serving for dinner.
- Ask the youngest child to create a centrepiece. It’s always fun to see what they come up with.
5. Take an after-dinner stroll
Once the plates have been cleared, resist the urge to immediately cue up that show you’ve been binge watching and take a walk instead. Even a short, leisurely walk in the fresh air can help slow the pace, giving you extra breathing room to think through a problem that’s been bothering you or catch up with your partner.
Once the plates have been cleared, resist the urge to immediately cue up that show you’ve been binge watching and take a walk instead. Even a short, leisurely walk in the fresh air can help slow the pace, giving you extra breathing room to think through a problem that’s been bothering you or catch up with your partner.
6. Cosy up on the couch for a movie night (but make it extra-special)
If you want to watch a TV show or movie, no one’s stopping you! But there’s a difference between intentionally choosing what (and how long) you’re going to watch and mindlessly zoning out with whatever happens to be on. So pop some popcorn, get into your cosiest PJs and curl up for some (intentional) screen time.
If you want to watch a TV show or movie, no one’s stopping you! But there’s a difference between intentionally choosing what (and how long) you’re going to watch and mindlessly zoning out with whatever happens to be on. So pop some popcorn, get into your cosiest PJs and curl up for some (intentional) screen time.
7. Light up the fire pit
Gas fire bowls in particular are easy to flick on at a moment’s notice, so there’s no reason to save them just for special occasions. And isn’t gathering around the fire pit reason enough to celebrate an average Wednesday night?
Browse flickering fire pits
Gas fire bowls in particular are easy to flick on at a moment’s notice, so there’s no reason to save them just for special occasions. And isn’t gathering around the fire pit reason enough to celebrate an average Wednesday night?
Browse flickering fire pits
8. Light candles around the house
When you’re ready to begin winding down, why not make the atmosphere reflect the mood you want to create? Light some candles, turn down the lights and perhaps put on a bit of soft music. If you’ve still been checking email or doing any work, now is the time to put it away.
When you’re ready to begin winding down, why not make the atmosphere reflect the mood you want to create? Light some candles, turn down the lights and perhaps put on a bit of soft music. If you’ve still been checking email or doing any work, now is the time to put it away.
9. Pick up a craft, sketchbook or journal
If you’re still not quite ready to turn in, choose a tactile, creative activity like sketching, knitting or writing in a journal. Take this quiet time to reflect on your day and consider what you would like to accomplish or experience tomorrow.
If you’re still not quite ready to turn in, choose a tactile, creative activity like sketching, knitting or writing in a journal. Take this quiet time to reflect on your day and consider what you would like to accomplish or experience tomorrow.
10. Soak the stress away in a fragrant bath or shower
An evening soak is much different than a quick morning shower. It’s a chance to unwind and let go of any lingering stress from your day. And if you have any special aromatherapy oils or bath products you’ve been saving, this is the perfect time to put them to use.
Tell us What’s your favourite way to make a weeknight feel special? Share your ideas in the Comments. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
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An evening soak is much different than a quick morning shower. It’s a chance to unwind and let go of any lingering stress from your day. And if you have any special aromatherapy oils or bath products you’ve been saving, this is the perfect time to put them to use.
Tell us What’s your favourite way to make a weeknight feel special? Share your ideas in the Comments. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more lifestyle stories
A night with dessert to look forward to after dinner is pretty much guaranteed to be a better-than-average weeknight. Drop by your local market or favourite bakery on the way home and pick up a little something to share with your family.