By Joseph Staples // SWNS
NEWS COPY W/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC
More than half of Americans said they’ve had a relationship pushed to the brink because of the pandemic, according to new research.
A survey of 2,000 Americans found 54% of couples have had their relationships jeopardized by pandemic-related stressors, including not having enough date nights.
The study also found 53% of single-and-ready-to-mingle Americans have had a first date via virtual platforms within the past year, averaging two virtual dates per month.
For 54% of those in the dating scene, the first virtual date went so well they had a second virtual date.
While virtual dating is on the rise, it still can’t quite compete with regular in-person date nights once a connection is made. For more than six in 10 American couples (61%), not having a regular date night is a stressor in a relationship.
Commissioned by Bogle Vineyards and conducted by OnePoll, the survey looked into the date night habits of singles and couples alike to determine how date nights have changed since the pandemic began.
Before the pandemic, the top date nights were obvious: going out to dinner (80%), shopping together (64%) and going out to see a movie (61%).
Yet, since the pandemic began, date night ideas have made room for more subtle, at-home approaches to romance. Since the pandemic began, couples are more likely to have date nights at home by ordering takeout (59%), cooking dinner together (58%) and having a movie night in (49%).
And seven in 10 couples agreed that this year’s Valentine’s Day will look a lot different because of the pandemic.
Fifty-five percent of American couples said they’ve begun to run out of date night ideas since the pandemic began — which might spell trouble, as 69% of couples said having regular date nights is an important part of a healthy relationship.
Not having regular date nights can also make intimacy more difficult, according to 52% of couples.
Keeping the fire alive is a priority for nearly two-thirds of couples (65%), who have begun planning dates ahead of time so they can keep their relationship fresh and active.
Kids also play a factor in how date nights unfold for couples. Of respondents with children, nearly nine in 10 (89%) parents can’t get alone time with their spouse/partner because their kids are around all the time.
Parents will even go out of their way to get time without kids being present. Parents will put their kids to bed early (53%), let them play video games (47%), distracted them with TV/movies (46%) and let them play in the back/front yard unattended (42%), all to get some alone time with their spouse/partner.
“Stress used to mean finding a babysitter on Friday night,” explained Jody Bogle of Bogle Vineyards. “But during the pandemic parents uncovered a newfound stress of attempting to keep their children entertained while they tried to salvage some semblance of a normal date night.
“This survey reveals that couples found creative ways to keep the fire burning even when they weren’t able to leave their home.”
Alcohol has also played a larger role in relationships this past year. Eighteen percent of respondents said they’ve bought a higher quality and quantity of alcohol in 2021.
To add to that, 79% of people surveyed believe a person’s choice of alcoholic beverage is important on a first date.
When asked to identify the most romantic alcoholic beverages, respondents chose red, gold, white and pink. Red wine holds the top spot, with 41% of Americans choosing it as the most romantic beverage.
It is closely followed by champagne (38%), white wine (37%), rosé (29%) and wine cocktails (26%).
Overall, people are inclined to incorporate drinking into their dates. Forty percent of people will rope drinking in with going out to dinner.
Other date night ideas most likely to involve alcohol include cooking dinner together at home (35%), ordering takeout at home (32%), staying in for a movie night (31%) and going to a concert (28%).
“Four out of five people revealed that what you drink is important on that first date. This may be a lesson for singles out there to pay attention to not only what your date is telling you about themselves, but also take note of what drink they have in front of them,” said Jody. “From experience, I can say that if my husband didn’t drink wine on our first date, who knows, maybe we would not be together today.”
WHAT WERE THE TOP DATE NIGHTS PRE-PANDEMIC?
Going out to dinner 80%
Shopping together 64%
Going to see a movie 61%
Outdoor activities 58%
Going to a park 57%
Staying in for a movie night 55%
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE TOP DATE NIGHTS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN?
Ordering takeout at home 59%
Cooking dinner together at home 58%
Staying in for a movie night 49%
Game night at home 45%
Playing video games together 45%
Cooking brunch at home 43%
WHAT ARE THE MOST ROMANTIC ALCOHOLS?
Red wine 41%
Champagne 38%
White wine 37%
Rose 29%
Wine cocktails 26%
Martinis 19%
Beer 19%
None of the above 16%
Vodka soda 14%
Gin and Tonic 14%
