Grab your picnic blanket – How to have the best picnic date

Imagine it… you grab all your favorites on your way out the door. You’ve got your picnic blanket, picnic basket, and all your snacks, fruits, veggies, and beverages. Maybe, if you’re fancy, you’ll have a full blown meal prepared for this endeavor.

You find a shady spot underneath a blooming, green tree and carefully lay out that picnic blanket of yours. Your partner (or bestie <3) grabs the basket and begins to lay out all the goodies in the most picturesque way they can. You begin playing the preferred music to enrich the overall experience for the two of you. You lay down next to one another, grab a snack, and just like that… you are in heaven.

Utilize these tips to ensure the most heavenly picnic possible.

What to Bring | Important Things to Consider | Bring on the Romance

What to Bring

When you think of a picnic, what key items do you think of? Obviously you’ll want a picnic blanket, a basket (and/or a cooler if you need to keep some of the food cool), and all your food and drinks. But what else should you consider bringing?

Here are some of my suggestions:

Games
- Card games
- Board games
- Multiplayer smartphone games
- Nintendo Switch (I love to play Mario Kart at my picnics)
Pillows for added comfort
Plates and silverware
Wine or champagne glasses (for wine, sparkling juice, or whatever beverage you have)
A small, foldable table – if you have one
Sunscreen and bug spray
- Depending on where you’re at, you’ll NEED these items. Take care of your skin <3
An umbrella, preferably one that stands on it’s own
A musical instrument to serenade your date
Books (or your Kindle)

Important Things to Consider

In addition to considering what to bring, you might want to think about some other things too.

Where do you want the picnic to be?

I suggest going to Google and searching “picnic spots in [your city]” or “picnic spots near me.” Typically, this search will give you parks, but try to think outside this box. Maybe have a picnic at a sculpture garden, outside a museum or historical building, or rent a boat (doesn’t have to be a big boat – maybe a paddle boat) and have a picnic on the water!

What kind of food do you want to bring?

Do you just want snacks or do you want to commit to a meal? Maybe your “meal” is just some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chips, or you might bring something fancier. A list I always love to reference is the 40+ Easy Picnic Food Ideas article by Jacki Moseley of A Beautiful Mess. This list includes everything from pigs in a blanket, to fruit salad and potato salad, to lemon cookies!

Either way, my picnic food necessities are fruit (my favorite to bring is strawberries) and veggies, and something for dessert, obviously.

What do you want to do?

Consider what you and your date might to do while you feast and enjoy the view. Do you want to play games? Or read? Make a craft? Cuddle up in your picnic blanket? You have limitless options.

Personally, my partner and I do one of two things.

1) We do questions – one of us picks a list of questions to ask one another online and we discuss those questions. Because we’ve been dating a long time, we typically like to pick controversial questions or something that gets a conversation going rather than questions about ourselves, but that’s totally up to you. Some question list suggestions:

2) We pull up the news and discuss the latest happenings in the world. This can be interesting depending on what kind of news we share and discuss.

If either of those things interest you and your partner, try those too!

Bring on the Romance

We’ve covered what to bring, where to go, and what to do while you’re having your picnic, but how do you guarantee a super romantic experience for you and your date? Consider the following ideas if you’re hoping to “bring on the romance” at your next picnic date.

Feed each other

I know it sounds cringey and silly, but it can be a very adorable way to make each other laugh. I mean, getting food on each other’s faces is basically inevitable this way. An even better idea – bring cake or whipped cream and intentionally smudge it in their face (with consent of course).

Bring another blanket

You’ll already have a picnic blanket to keep you two comfy from underneath, but consider bringing another blanket to cuddle up in. This might not be the most amazing idea if it’s really hot outside, but if it’s cooler, this can keep you close and cozy with one another.

Dress up for each other

I don’t know about you, but I personally love dressing up on dates with my partner. I always feel more confident about myself, and he can’t help but shower me with compliments and love. <3

“Dress up” however you feel comfortable, though. If a dress makes you feel beautiful, wear that! If you’d prefer to wear some denim shorts and a graphic tee, wear that! Or maybe you’re feeling HAWT in your pjs that day, wear that!

Focus on one another

I know, I know. It’s 2024 and everyone is constantly sucked into their smartphones. Please, for the sake of your relationship, leave it at home or in your bag. Focus on one other and on all of the fun things you put together for your picnic together, especially if you or your date’s love language is quality time. This is time to spend intentionally with one another without any distractions.

Alrighty, friends. I’ve given you the tools to have your wonderful, romantic, heavenly picnic. Go and have an amazing date. Tata!