Marital Bingo

Posted by: Shel 16 Comments

If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift for your spouse that has a little more entertainment value than a bouquet of flowers, how about trying some Marital Bingo?

Here’s how it works: You both list 24 things you would like the other to do. Vary the list by including some that can be done quickly, some that need a little more effort, and some that are more of an investment. Be reasonable – make sure they are really doable.

You may want to make some rules as to what’s off limits and/or unacceptable. Examples of things that might be included:

make an ice cream run
bring home dinner
write a thank you to the other’s family member
foot rub
hang clothes up 3 days in a row
no swearing for a day
watch spouses show without complaining (Note: saying “See? I didn’t complain” before the final credits have completely run equals complaining!)
morning and evening dogwalk
empty the dishwasher

Rate each one with a 1, 2, or 3 based on the amount of time/effort needed to achieve.

Make a bingo ‘card’ by either drawing or using the computer to create a grid of 5 x 5 boxes. Put the word “FREE” in the third box of the third row. In each of the other boxes write in an item from your list, making sure to have at least one of each category in each row and column. Exchange your cards. Or you can both use the same card if you can agree on 24 activities, using different colors to mark them off as completed.

Pick a prize that each of you will win if you’re the first to get a ‘bingo’ (one line in any direction of accomplished deeds). Maybe something like winner chooses the movie AND movie snacks on a designated night. Pick a bigger prize for a double bingo (dinner at a favorite place even though the non-winner – notice I didn’t say ‘loser’ – isn’t fond of?).

If you’re enjoying the game, agree upon an even bigger prize and play ‘blackout’ – first to complete entire card wins big!