The weather is warming up, and that means it’s time to get outside. If you are looking for a fun, romantic outdoor activity to do with your husband, a picnic is an oldie but a goodie. Whether you are heading to the beach, a park or somewhere up in the mountains this is the only guide you’ll need to plan the perfect picnic lunch date! The best part is, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money! Thank God for the economical date ideas. If you want to boost the romance, leave the kids with a sitter. However, picnics are also a fantastic family date with kids as well!
Summertime, springtime or fall, follow this picnic lunch date guide and you will have the perfect picnic again and again.
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Plan The Menu
They say the way to a man’s heart it through his stomach. I don’t know about your husband, but mine loves a good meal especially when it’s prepared by his wife’s hands. For the perfect picnic lunch date, you definitely don’t want to go store bought. Well, at least for the main dish. Don’t worry if you do not consider yourself a good cook. I’m going to make it simple for you.
The Main Dish
For the main dish, the simplest, most delicious way to go is a homemade sandwich. Instead of an ordinary deli meat sandwich, I would encourage you to pre-make some chicken salad, egg salad or tuna salad based on your preference. For the bread, definitely go with some nice, buttery croissants! These can be store bought of course. You could also go with sliced bread or another type, but croissants just add a gourmet feel lol. If you prefer to go a little lighter, pack some crackers to go with your salad of choice instead.
Here are a few really great recipes to inspire you!
The Side Dishes
After you have settled on which sandwich you’re going to prepare for your picnic lunch date, you will have to select the perfect sides. Now, I’m a chip girl…especially when it comes to sandwiches! However, if you want to step up your game a little, try packing a few items to make your own charcuterie board. It’s a nice, light addition and still maintains the gourmet essence of the meal. You didn’t know you could be fancy without being fancy did you lol!
You can mix and match to your own liking, but here are a few typical things to include in your charcuterie board:
- Cured deli meats (e.g. salami, pepperoni, ham etc.)
- Smoked salmon
- Various cheeses (Trader Joe’s always has really great selections!)
- Olives (black, green or both!)
- Fruit (grapes work really well)
- Crackers
- Jam, jelly or honey
The Perfect Picnic Lunch Date Dessert
If you have time to go homemade, do it! Otherwise, store bought deserts will work just fine. Plan on preparing your husband’s favorite type of dessert. Also, consider a dessert that will pack well. Cookies, cake slices (without frosting), brownies all work well. Some people like to have coffee or tea with dessert and that is perfectly possible for a picnic. All you would need to do is pack a thermos with coffee or hot water for tea. Don’t forget the cream and sugar if you need it! If the weather is too hot for hot drinks, you could use your thermos to bring along some pre-made ice coffee.
Choose a Carrier to Transport Your Lunch
Once you have the menu set, you should make sure that you have a carrier that is functional. The traditional picnic basket is cute, but it’s not always the most functional option. I’m thinking about lugging that bulky thing around from the car to the picnic site. It’s also a little limiting if you plan to do other activities before or after your picnic. That’s why this Sunflora Picnic Backpack from Amazon is the perfect alternative. It’s a little on the pricey side, but it’s a great investment that will be worth it after only the first trip!
It comes with eating utensils, a cutting board, salt and pepper shakers, and a comfortable, waterproof picnic blanket. Basically, everything you would need for your picnic lunch date. The only other things I might suggest to add are napkins and a plastic bag to dispose of your trash later if there are no trash bins around.
Pick a Place for Your Picnic Lunch Date
Now that the menu is ready and you have selected your carrier, the last thing to do for your amazing picnic lunch date is to find the perfect place! My husband and I love spending time together (and with the kids of course) outdoors. For a daytime activity that you can bring your picnic lunch, consider going on a hike or nature walk or taking a trip to the beach. Some of our favorite experiences outdoors have been Zion National Park in Utah with its breath-taking views, Great Falls Park in Virginia for its majestic natural waterfalls, Mount Charleston in Nevada for it’s serene mountain views, and the ever lively National Mall in Washington D.C. A great bonus to being out doors at the National Mall is that there plenty of museums and national monuments to visit as well.
For “picnic-ing” at the beach, be sure to plan for shade cover. If you don’t already have one or you need a replacement, here’s a really great umbrella from Amazon.
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Enjoy your picnic lunch date and all your warm weather excursions this season!
Peace and Blessings Sis!
