Picnic dates are a fun way to spend quality time with your partner. You can spend time outdoors, snacking on your favourite foods and get to know each other even better. Not to mention picnics are an affordable way to make date night special.
Step 1 : Select the Ideal Location
The key to a successful picnic date is to choose the right location. Think outside the box, what does your partner like to do. Are they an outdoorsy person, do they like to be in nature, or would they like it to be private just the two of you?
Is there any local parks, naturally scenic areas, or perhaps the beach or a river or dam nearby? Perhaps you have a lovely spot in your garden which you don’t get to enjoy that often. Do some research by drawing some inspiration from our picnic list below:
- Local Park or Botanical Garden: Enjoy the greenery, nature and the open space for the classic picnic experience.
- Beach: Feel the sand beneath your toes as the crashing waves provides the perfect back ground noise.
- Riverside, close to a body of water: A picnic on the banks of a river or next to a dam is a great way to experience nature and enjoy the scenery.
- Backyard or Living Room: Look closer to home to find the perfect private picnic spot.
Step 2 : Choose the Best Date and Time
After selecting your location think about what time would suit it best. Will it be at sunset on the beach, midday at the park or in the evening with the night sky lit up by fairy lights in your garden. Make sure to do your research on the weather conditions for that day and the operating hours if you’ve selected a local park.
Step 3 : Fill your Picnic Basket
Select some of your and your partners favourite foods, snacks and drinks.
- Main Course: Choose your from your favourite take away, finger sandwiches,
- Sweet Snack: Think about your partner’s, friend’s or family’s sweet tooth. Examples include: chocolates, donuts, muffins, chocolate covered strawberry, jelly sweets or ice cream.
- Savoury snacks: Popcorn, chips, biltong, or pretzels.
- Fruits & Veggies: A healthy option is always a welcome option. Examples: Strawberries, grapes, peaches, watermelon slices, dried fruit, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes or cherries.
- Drinks: For a family friendly picnic choose your favourite fruit juice, soda, or ice tea as a refreshing beverage.
Step 4: Prepare and Pack Your Picnic Essentials
Gather all the picnic essentials and create a cozy picnic setting:
- Comfortable blankets & pillows
- Plates, cups, utensils & napkins
- Cooler to keep your drinks and snacks fresh.
- Trash bags for an easy clean up afterwards.
- A Bluetooth speaker to set the mood.
Step 5: Entertainment and Activities
Make the picnic last longer and more memorable by adding some entertainment or activities. Bring along a deck of cards, some board games or even look up a list of questions to get to know your partner better. We’ve recently had a picnic where we downloaded a list of 50 questions to ask your partner and we’ve discovered so many fun stories about each other which none of us knew. A list to inspire you for activities or entertainement:
- Board games: 30 second, Cluedo, Scrabble, Pictionary, Heads Up, or a deck of cards.
- Physical Activities: Frisbee, beach paddles, volleyball, soccer, or try yoga.
- Nature: Cloud or star gazing depending on the time of day.
- Trivia: Download a list of questions to ask your partners or play some trivia on Kahoot.
- Food: Incorporate food tasting for example different cheeses, chocolates, or wine.
Conclusion
Planning the perfect picnic is about making thoughtful decisions about your guest. Think about activities, food, and a location your friend, partner, or family will enjoy. By following these five steps, you will be well on your way to create the perfect picnic, an experience that everyone will cherish. So gather your loved ones, select your location, food, and activities to build new memories.