When you think about dates, particularly a picnic date, what comes to mind? Probably a picturesque location somewhere with blankets on the ground, a mouth watering meal set-up and fresh air free from the noisy city life. Getting warm?
Now ask yourself this, who is typically responsible for setting everything up? The lady or the gent? I admit that we gents aren’t particularly gifted in concocting such elaborate dates but there’s hope for us, PEOPLE!
Having your partner is one of those blessings we look for in life so why not take a bit of time off just to show them how much you care about them? Love is one of those things that needs effort from both parties to keep the relationship healthy, spicy and above all FULL OF LOVE. So gents, listen up and pay attention coz I have secrets to share.
If you’re a guy looking to surprise the lady in your life with a romantic picnic date, here are tips guaranteed to make you an expert. (Well, a better planner to be exact).
First and foremost, plan ahead. The whole point of enjoying a picnic is to take advantage of the great outdoors, so choose a beautiful spot on a day when the weather is agreeable.
Pack accordingly. The following items/suggestions will help ensure that you are properly prepared. Pack according to your needs, companion and environment. Forgetting something can really put a kink in your plans, so a good idea is to make a checklist of what you want to bring, and then cross off each item as you place it into your basket.
Romantic Picnic Basics – Preparation
- A comfortable picnic blanket or ground covering. Consider a vinyl ground cover to protect your blanket if you think it’s necessary.
- A Bluetooth speaker or your phone for good tunes while enjoying your picnic
- A cooler stocked with cold beverages, wine, or water. Consider freezing plastic bottles ahead of time to double as ice packs to save space! (But if so, be sure to budget time to let them thaw.)
- A picnic basket, because what’s so charming about a bunch of grocery bags?
- Plastic or metal storage containers and storage bags help keep everything together and separate, to maximize freshness and give a sense of purpose and confidence to your picnic.
- If you choose to pack a baguette or some other bread, wrap it separately in parchment paper or newspaper rather than keeping it in a sealed container to keep it from getting soggy.
- Remember to pack utensils such as plates, forks, knives, napkins, wipes, cups or glassware, and a cutting board. It’s hard to project as cool and stay sexy when you can’t even cut an apple without the juice running down your sleeve.
- Pick a good location. Make sure it’s as private as possible, or at least somewhat secluded. Suggestions such as Karura Forest, Ngong Hills, Nairobi National Park, Arboretum, or even your backyard will definitely earn you some brownie points
- Things to think about when you pick a location: will it be buggy? Should you pack bug spray? Sunscreen? Jackets? Hats?
- It might be a good idea to have a first-aid kit at hand, or at least accessible. Nothing ruins a romantic picnic like a cut thumb. Preparedness is KEY!
THE DRINKS
If you like wine and you know she does too, a bottle of good chardonnay or merlot would be the right way to go for a picnic. However, there is always room to experiment with some cocktails recipe:
1. The Screw Driver
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of flavored vodka
- 5 ounces of Minute Maid Pulpy Orange juice
- Orange slice for garnish
Note: Throw in a bit of syrup to sweeten it to your preference.
2. Spiced Cranberry Orange Mocktail
Ingredients:
1 ounce spiced cranberry syrup
1 ½ ounces fresh-squeezed orange juice (bottled will also work)
Soda water
Directions:
Add spiced cranberry syrup and orange juice in a rocks glass and stir.
Fill the glass with ice and top with soda water.
Serve with a straw and enjoy!
3. Orange Lemonade
Ingredients:
- 1-3/4 cups sugar
- 2-1/2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
- 1-1/2 cups lemon juice (about 10 lemons)
- 1-1/2 cups orange juice (about 5 oranges)
- 6 cups cold water
Method
- In a large saucepan, combine sugar and 2-1/2 cups water; cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Cool slightly. Stir in citrus zest and juices. Let stand, covered, 1 hour. Strain syrup; refrigerate, covered, until cold. To serve, fill glasses or pitchers with an equal amount of fruit syrup and water. Add ice and serve. Yield: 12 servings.
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- Wow her with this food choice:
Ingredients
Last but certainly not least you have to think of Dessert. You can never go wrong with chocolates! You know what they say: a chocolate a day keeps bad moods away!
Editor’s note: Picnics are less expensive than dining out, allowing more room for spontaneity. The idea is to not let her know what you are up to!
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