Picnic Fun - Tips and Recipes

Romantic Spring Picnic Meal Ideas & Recipes

Each season has its unique romantic qualities that make for fun, memorable dates – but spring is especially well suited for couples’ picnics because of the mild weather and beautiful scenery.  As the birds sing and the flowers bloom, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy a meal in the fresh air.  Make sure you’ve got a pretty picnic basket fit for the season and then get inspired with these fresh, delicious romantic spring picnic recipes and meal ideas.  Love is in the air – take advantage of it!

Click on the links within each menu below for recipes.

Romantic Italian Picnic Menu

Panini with your choice of ingredients (here’s a list of ideas!)
Antipasto salad
Grapes
Tiramisu (purchase at the store, or make your own)
Coffee and cream (packed in a coffee and tea set) or wine

Simple Classics

These items can be picked up at the market, packed into your picnic basket or wine and cheese set and enjoyed immediately – no cooking or preparation required!

French baguette
Rotisserie chicken
Block of cheese
Baby carrots with hummus or vegetable dip
Strawberries
Bottle of champagne or wine

Elegant Gourmet Spread

Roast Beef and Avocado Finger Sandwiches 
Red Potato and Green Bean Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini
Raspberry-Apricot Shortbread   
Basil Lime Spritzer

Wondering what else you should bring along, in addition to food and beverages?  Check out our previous post, ‘What to Pack for a Romantic Date’.

What to Pack for a Romantic Picnic Date

What could be more romantic than relaxing under the stars, cuddled up on a soft, warm picnic blanket, raising a glass of champagne in a toast with someone special?  Whether you want to celebrate your love with a longtime partner or impress your date in a budding relationship, sharing an intimate picnic meal enhances bonding and creates happy memories.  We’ve told you in the past how to plan your romantic picnic date with menu ideas for even the most amateur of cooks, creative locations to wow your date and featured products with style and plenty of potential for romance.  Now, we’ll break down exactly what you should pack to ensure that you have everything you need for a special evening.

Gear:

Picnic blanket large enough for two – Get one with a waterproof backing for extra protection if you plan on laying it down in grass.  You want it to be approximately 55”x55” square to fit two people comfortably.
Fully loaded picnic basket – Select a stylish, high quality picnic basket that contains real plates, glasses, utensils, cloth napkins and accessories like spill-proof salt and pepper shakers and wine bottle openers.  All of the little details will show your date that you put a lot of time and effort into this romantic picnic!
Wine glass holders – Keep your wine or champagne glasses upright and spill-proof with some handy wine glass holders, which have one end that sticks in the grass while the other end cradles your glass.  You can also get a matching wine bottle holder.

Other necessities:

Ice or frozen cold packs
Paper towels or moist towelettes for cleanup
Small garbage bags or plastic grocery bags for trash and to put dirty tableware in after the meal
Condiments

Romantic Extras:

Candles – Bonus points for citronella in mosquito season.  Put them in glass jars to make them wind-proof and safe for use outdoors.
Music – Bring along a small stereo and some romantic tunes to help set the mood; you can also park nearby and play it from your car.
Fruit or chocolate – or combine them both with chocolate-covered strawberries
Breath mints – Won’t hurt after a meal containing garlic and other potentially offensive odor-causing foods!

Click here to see other Romantic Picnic topics, and check back with us in the spring for even more romantic picnic ideas!

Must-Have Items for that Romantic Weekend Getaway

Every couple needs a romantic getaway every now and then, even if it’s just for the weekend.  Pack your bags, head to your favorite weekend destination, and enjoy some relaxing quality time with the help of these five perfect picnic products.  They’re stylish, convenient, and will give you the freedom to snuggle up, enjoy a delicious meal and watch the sunset in that perfect, undisturbed picnic spot.

Driftwood Topanga Insulated Shoulder Tote – Why carry around a bulky, unattractive cooler when you can take a stroll with this lightweight beauty on your shoulder?  This handy carry-all will keep food and beverages cold and fresh for hours, without sacrificing style.  The durable yet attractive fabrics come in a cool, sophisticated combo of chocolate brown and robin’s egg blue.

Weekender Deluxe Travel Picnic Set for 2 – The ‘net has been abuzz lately with praise for this cool, compact picnic set.  Contained within a miniature, easy-to-carry zip-up canvas case is a full set of picnic ware for two people, including plates, flatware, a corkscrew, cutting board, cheese knife and mini salt & pepper shakers.  The whole thing weighs only two pounds, and is great for grabbing take-away goodies from a deli or the market to tote to a more romantic setting, like the beach at sunset.

Weekender Fold Up Travel Duffle – Perfect for toting home souvenirs purchased on your travels, this sleek travel bag goes from a teeny, folded and buttoned little package to a sturdy, roomy tote in seconds.  The handsome cream-and-brown unisex style makes it a great option for both sexes.

Rose Duet Wine and Cheese Tote – Enjoy a glass of wine and some assorted cheeses with your loved one in the romantic location of your choice.  The Rose Duet Wine and Cheese Tote allows you to enjoy your wine and cheese on the go.  This stylish, insulated two-bottle wine tote comes complete with a corkscrew, cheese knife and cutting board.  The romantic rose pattern is trimmed with red and features faux suede accents, a double zipper with hook and loop closure, an adjustable shoulder strap, and dependable ThermoGuard insulation.

Sunshine Blanket Tote – This old picnic favorite is back in chic, modern colors and prints for summer.  This durable blanket has a waterproof backing to protect you and your food against moisture and insects.  It folds up compact and has a handy carrying strap so you can bring it anywhere; Courtney Cox toted hers to a movie premiere (pictured left in ‘Driftwood’; source: People.com).  Check out the other stylish options available here.

At PicnicFun.com you can find hundreds of romantic picnic baskets, picnic backpacks, cocktail sets, blankets, accessories and much more.

Romantic Picnic Date Ideas for Spring

With the arrival of each new season comes a variety of fresh new date ideas to keep you from getting stuck in that dinner-and-a-movie slump.  Spring is a wonderful time to take advantage of mild, pleasant weather in the great outdoors.  Cool breezes, sunny days, gentle rains, flowers in bloom – all of these things can enhance a romantic excursion with your partner or a date with someone new.  Here are some ideas that’ll get you out in the fresh air, enjoying a little quality time together.

Rent a canoe or paddle boat – It’s a great way to see local sights, get some exercise, enjoy a picnic lunch and relax as the sun shimmers on the surface of the water.  Whether the closest body of water is a lake, river, or the ocean, you can have a memorable afternoon trip on the open water, leisurely pedaling on a calm lake or paddling your way down a flowing stream.  Bring a wine picnic basket for added romance.

Find a private swimming hole or beach – This could be a great way to supplement your boating date, or as its own outing.  Many rivers, large and small, have perfect little swimming holes that are calm, secluded, and just deep enough to swim in.  If you live on the coast, state parks often have quiet, tourist-free areas that provide a relaxing refuge.  Bring a couple blow-up rafts so you can feel as though you’re vacationing in some exotic tropical locale.  Waterproof picnic mats are great for spreading out on the rocks or sand and savoring a light lunch or snack.

Go on a nature walk – Now is a great time to enjoy the beauty of the natural world.  So many plants are in bloom, with tender new leaves sprouting from tree branches and tulips pushing their way out of the ground.  Get yourself a little booklet of native plants and wildlife so you can have fun identifying birds, insects, and plants as you walk along.  Springtime nature walks can be enjoyed at national parks, botanical gardens, or simply in nearby woods.

Plan a surprise lunchtime picnic – This is a great way to get a stressed-out loved one out of the office or workplace for an hour so she can relax and enjoy a good meal.  Pack a picnic basket with her favorite foods (or stop at a local deli or restaurant for an easy, prep-free meal).  Stow it away in your trunk along with a picnic blanket, some flowers, and a compilation  CD of her favorite songs.  Pop into her workplace and whisk her away for a romantic lunch in a surprise location such as a nearby park, lookout, or other romantic spot.  (Note: you  may want to call ahead and subtly solicit a confirmation that she’ll be able to take an hour or so for lunch).

Take a walk in the rain – Spring is known for its gentle, restorative rains that coax all of the fresh new greenery out of the ground.  As the air warms, these spring rains can provide a really romantic atmosphere for a stroll.  Don’t be afraid of getting wet – letting go of your inhibitions is part of what makes this fun.  Get in the car and drive to a historic district or particularly beautiful area of town to make the walk more interesting and special.

Picnic baskets, wine and cheese sets, cocktail sets, comfy picnic blankets and other elegant, practical picnic items can really up the ante to make your date enjoyable and memorable.  Browse the wide selection at PicnicFun.com for date supplies and gift ideas that will enhance every picnic experience.

Creative Date Ideas for the Young and Young at Heart

Valentine’s Day is coming up fast, and the last thing you want is for your partner to think, ‘Dinner and a movie, again?’  Don’t get stuck in a rut with your dates; keep things fun and interesting by mixing it up a bit.  Go on an adventure - do something unexpected and wild, romantic and memorable.  We’ve put together a list of the kind of dates you’ll be telling your grandchildren about.  You can use them year-round, and they might even inspire you to come up with a list of your own ideas.

1. Many couples have thought of watching the sun set together, but what about making an exciting pre-dawn trip to a beautiful outdoor spot to watch the sun rise?  Hills, mountains and beaches provide great views, but you can do this practically anywhere.  Bring a picnic breakfast and cook it over a campfire, enjoying some hot delicious food and warm beverages together.
2. Pack a cooler, a map, and some walking shoes and go on a weekend road trip to visit oddball roadside attractions in your area.  RoadsideAmerica.com is a great guide for checking out all kinds of offbeat museums, monuments and mystery spots that may have been right under your nose for years.  Don’t forget to bring a camera – you won’t want to be without one when you come across such gems as Miniature Golf in a Funeral Home, the Sock Monkey Museum or the Cathedral of Junk.
3. If you know another couple or two who’d like to join in on the fun, plan a scavenger hunt.  Give each team a phone book, a Polaroid or digital camera, a notebook & pen, a map, and a list of things you want them to find or collect.  To make sure it’s fair, you should have a non-participating party come up with the list.  Each item on your list can have a different point value depending upon difficulty – for example, a game token from a movie theater might be worth one point while a picture of both team members sitting on a kiddie ride outside a grocery store is worth five.  For a higher level of difficulty, each item on the list can be presented as a puzzle or riddle. 
4. Get in the car and drive in a direction you’ve never gone.  This is a really great way to get to know your area in a new way; take a road you’ve never been down, and see where you end up.  You might get lucky and find a great scenic drive, a perfect picnic spot or a breathtaking view.  Make sure you have a map and a full tank of gas so you’ll be able to get back home easily.
5. Go to your local chamber of commerce and gather brochures for activities and places to visit in your area.  Chances are, you’ll find there are a lot of things you never even knew about, that provide great opportunities for creative dates.  Apple picking, canoeing, ice skating, and horseback riding are just a small sampling of the kinds of activities you might find.
6. Gather up some seeds, shovels and hoes and plant a garden together.  You can choose a spot in your own yard, a community garden, or do it as an act of charity for a family in need.  It will be really special to come back in the future and see how everything you planted has grown!
7. Get one of those fun little mini-golf kits and play in the snow.  Make sure the balls are brightly colored so you won’t lose them!  Playing at night is even more fun – flashlights and the moon reflecting off the snow will give your surroundings an otherworldly feel.  Bring along some hot cocoa or another warming beverages.
8. On a clear night, plan on having a picnic anywhere you’ll have a good view of the stars.  Bring a book of constellations (and a flash light, so you’ll be able to read it) and find them in the sky together.  Enjoy some chocolates and a bottle of wine or champagne, and bring a picnic blanket so you’ll stay warm and cozy.
9. Take a class together for something fun like photography, dancing or cooking.  Most community colleges have what are often called ‘continuing education’ courses where you can learn a fun new hobby that may even turn into a serious passion.  You’ll have a great time developing prints in a darkroom or learning how to make a perfect flambé.
10. Pack a picnic lunch and see the sights from a whole new angle on a hot air balloon.  Chances are you’ll have a company no more than an hour away that provides this service, and it’s less expensive than you might think.  This is definitely an impressive date, and would make a great surprise – it might even provide the perfect opportunity to pop the question!

Planning a Romantic Winter Picnic

Throughout the cold, snowy days of winter, opportunities abound to get close to your loved one – snuggling in front of a fire, watching the snowflakes fall, enjoying the sparkling lights of holiday décor and sipping some warm, comforting beverages.  What brings all of these things together better than a winter picnic?  It’s the perfect way to celebrate your love, make a connection or just get some one-on-one time with that special person who’s caught your eye.  Here are some tips for planning the perfect romantic picnic that you’ll never forget.

Choose an unexpected picnic site.  Picnics can be held nearly anywhere, but some locations are more special than others.  Spread a warm, cozy blanket out in front of your fireplace, light candles, put on some holiday music and enjoy a delicious meal as you trim the tree.  Find the best neighborhood in your town for Christmas light displays, and take a slow, romantic drive through the area with some hot cocoa or mulled wine in a thermos.  Take a trip to the nearest outdoor ice skating rink for a truly romantic experience with all the magical winter atmosphere you could ask for.

Be prepared with elegant, seasonally appropriate picnic gear.  A picnic pack that comes with an insulated vacuum-flask beverage holder and mugs is a great choice – nothing could be more perfect than the Hot Stuff Picnic Backpack for 2, pictured left, which also comes with insulated tubs for hot food and two waterproof seating mats.  Some other great ideas include the Hot Pack Coffee Shoulder Bag for 2, the comfy waterproof Mega Picnic Mat and the Kona Coffee Flask.  The beautiful fabrics, excellent craftsmanship and high-quality details are sure to impress your date.

Use the internet to your advantage to find the perfect recipes.  Recipezaar.com has a collection of Christmas cocktails in addition to all of their holiday meal recipes, including Hot Buttered Rum, Hot Chocolate Deluxe, Black Forest Martini and Traditional Eggnog.  Over at FoodNetwork.com you’ll find a special section called ‘Season’s Eatings’ that divide up their vast collection of impressive, delicious holiday recipes into Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s categories.  Just remember when choosing your recipes, stick to dishes that aren’t too messy and won’t require a lot of last-minute prep.  Anything that will hold up well in an insulated food container and/or is easily hand-held is a good choice.

Still need some extra help? Check out our previous posts: Romantic Winter Dates and Winter Picnic Ideas.

Outdoor Entertaining with Style and Soul

Nothing is quite so sweet as spending a quiet moment in time with your loved ones, enjoying the fresh air, the sunlight on your skin or the stars twinkling above.  Taking the time to savor each other’s presence is a luxury in life that we let fall to the wayside all too often, allowing other things to take priority over our time together.  Put aside that stack of bills, turn off your computer, silence your cell phone and grab those essential items you’ll need for a beautiful and memorable date – with your friends, your spouse, your children, or anyone else who deserves your undivided attention.

It’s easy to create an unforgettable excursion with some good food, nothing to separate you from the great outdoors, and outdoor entertaining items tailored to your specific tastes and needs.  Personalize your experience with an elegant picnic basket, romantic wine and cheese set, sophisticated cheese board, high class barbecue tool set or other lovely picnic products customized to the outdoor entertaining experience that you desire.

If you’re planning a romantic picnic date with the one you love, wine and cheese is guaranteed to impress.  This classic combination will make an even better impression in a beautiful set such as the Windsor Sunset Wine Carrier (left).  The rich colors and designer fabrics of this handy little item are pleasing to the eye, while the high tech insulation, unbreakable acrylic glasses, decorative bottle stopper and stainless steel corkscrew offer convenience and quality at a great value.

Having some friends over for hors d’oeuvres and wine in your backyard?  The Soiree Bamboo Cutting Board is a convenient and great-looking set that makes slicing assorted cheeses a breeze.  It features an aluminum and wood cutting surface, cheese wire, a cheese shaver, fork-tipped cheese knife, and spreader.  Magnetic dots encased in the slots hold the tools in place, and the compact design makes this set a great choice for travelers.

The Catalina Riviera Picnic Basket will make you feel like you’re on holiday in Europe even if you’re really just at the park down the street from your house.  Take your mom for an elegant brunch in a rose garden, have a light lunch with a friend on the beach, or take your spouse on a surprise picnic at a romantic overlook with this cheerful set with deluxe service for two.  It comes complete with everything you need for a great meal – just provide the food!

Of course, the beautiful, high quality picnic products don’t stop there – check out the full selection at www.picnicfun.com.  You’ll find picnic baskets and packs in a wide range of colors and styles for all tastes and budgets, along with hundreds of highly useful accessories to choose from.

Finding Great Spots for Picnics – How to Choose a Unique, Fun Spot for Your Gourmet Picnic

Great picnic spots are easy to come by, if you keep your eyes peeled while going about your daily routine.  Just clear your mind of pre-conceived notions about what makes a good picnic location.  Any place that you can comfortably sit down and relax undisturbed, preferably with a good view, will make a memorable setting.  Taking note of parks, overlooks, and other potential locations while driving to and from work can give you some options to work with.  Another idea is to watch for articles in your local paper about seasonal activities, or contact your local Chamber of Commerce.  Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Vineyards
Wine is practically synonymous with romance.   The sights, smells, and fun activities are enough to make vineyards a wonderful picnic setting, but the additional perk of wine tasting puts them at the top of the list of perfect romantic picnic spots.  Take a tour of the grounds, enjoy a lesson by a winery professional, and have your picnic lunch on a grassy knoll overlooking the grounds.  A wine picnic basket would be the perfect item to have on hand for this romantic picnic date – pack the Corsica Wine and Cheese Basket (pictured left) full of some rustic bread, an assortment of cheeses, fruit, and sparkling water.  A bottle of wine purchased at the winery will round out your meal.  Orchards are a great option for those who prefer a non-alcoholic activity – you can enjoy many of the same activities as at a winery, picking your own apples and savoring them while enjoying the view.

Scenic Drives
No matter where you live, there’s bound to be a beautiful scenic roadway within an hour’s drive at the most.  Coastal areas have A1A, US 1 or other quiet, slow-paced roads with views of the ocean and many great places to stop and enjoy your meal.  In mountainous regions, take a country road or parkway that winds through the peaks and choose an overlook from which you can enjoy the spectacular view.  National parks, riverside roadways, motor nature trails and back roads through pastoral farmland are just a few options that will give you ample opportunities for a memorable meal. Don’t forget a waterproof picnic blanket and a good cooler so you’ll be comfortable and your food will stay at just the right temperature.

Urban Adventure
Living in the city doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a relaxing, peaceful picnic experience.  Rooftop observation areas or high rise balconies can make for a magnificent, memorable meal in the fresh air – the view alone is worth setting up a few comfortable folding chairs and hanging out for a while.  Pick a courtyard somewhere in town with either a patch of grass or some benches beside a fountain and break out your gourmet picnic basket.  The Catalina Riviera Picnic Basket (pictured left)can make any spot feel like a breezy Parisian getaway with its sophisticated design and full set of premium quality dining accessories. 

Still looking for ideas?  Some of our previous posts can help:

Picnics on the Road
Urban Picnics
Planning a Romantic Picnic for 2

Romantic Winter Dates

Winter is a season in which the opportunities to be romantic abound – beautiful snowflakes, white lights sparkling, and plenty of opportunities to get close.   The additional excitement of the holidays can help make your romantic evening even more special.  Whether you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary, getting together for a holiday, planning a proposal or just want some one-on-one time with the one you love, these ideas can help you create a night that you’ll never forget.

Surprise your loved one at work with a steaming thermos of hot cocoa, two mugs and some flowers.  Even if it isn’t a special occasion, she’ll be thrilled that you would do such an unexpected and romantic thing for her!  You could also show up bearing a picnic basket filled with a delectable midday meal, just at the time she is about to take her lunch break.

Go on a romantic sleigh ride or, if you live in an area where it doesn’t snow, you could go on a horse-drawn carriage ride or horseback riding.  It’s an invigorating activity to do outdoors in the winter, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped out of an old romantic movie. 

Plan a weekend getaway in a bed & breakfast or a cabin.  You’ll have luxurious surroundings, privacy, and time to focus on just each other.   Have a bouquet of fresh flowers, some wine or champagne and chocolates or a cheese assortment waiting on the table for your arrival.   Or, you could bring along a wine and cheese set or coffee and tea set to share some drinks in front of the fire.

Decorate the tree together!  Plan an evening to make Christmas cookies, put on some holiday music and break out the lights and ornaments.  It’s fun to share this tradition with the one you love.  Have some gourmet coffee together, or make some special holiday cocktails – and don’t forget the mistletoe!

Have a winter picnic!  Enjoy a delicious meal over an open fire in the backyard – you could use a fire pit, a small charcoal grill, or have a little campfire.  Or, you could break the grill out of its hibernation and cook up some steak and fresh grilled vegetables.  Romantic picnic baskets can also help set the mood, with little extras like designer cloth napkins and an insulated wine bottle compartment to keep your wine from getting too cold.

For more romantic picnic ideas, check out Planning a Romantic Picnic as well as Winter Picnic Ideas.

Winter Picnic Ideas

When the snow starts falling and you’re looking for ideas to have a good time, a winter picnic may not seem like an obvious choice.  Sure, it’s cold out – but you can still have tons of fun!  All those winter activities that you and the kids love to do when it’s snowing such as sledding, making snowmen, and ice skating can be arranged around a wonderful outdoor picnic, with a picnic basket or backpack stuffed full of hot comforting foods and drinks.  The kids will be so excited to have some hot cocoa after they’ve had a good snowball fight or made snow angels.  Give them a candy cane to stir it with to make it extra fun.  You could pack two thermoses – one full of a hot beverage, and one with some delicious soup or chili.  Spicy foods are especially great for winter picnics, because they’ll really go the extra mile to warm you up.  Just be sure to bundle up well!

Romantic picnics are magical in the winter time – snowflakes falling, everything glimmering around you, and some hot cider or perhaps mulled wine can really set the mood.  Have dinner over an open fire – roast marshmallows, vegetable and meat kebabs, or put some rice and veggies into a pouch of aluminum foil and throw it into the fire, retrieving it with tongs.  It will have that delicious fire-roasted flavor, and be piping hot.  Or, you could break the grill out of its winter hibernation and cook up a savory meal of steak, chicken, or fish.  Plan your winter meal around a special winter activity, such as taking a horse-driven sleigh ride through a park, or going horseback riding.  Be sure to have some folding picnic chairs or a waterproof picnic blanket to protect you from the cold, wet ground. 

Not willing to brave the cold weather?  Turn your living room into a summer vacation for the day!  Lay out a picnic blanket, break out your picnic basket and arrange houseplants so it really feels like you’re outside.  You could even create a little tent, or canopy, out of sheets or other fabric.  Kids absolutely love this – have them dress in their summer clothes, sandals, and wear sunglasses. You could have them play indoor-appropriate summertime games. They’ll forget it’s even winter, and will beg you to do it again next year.  Turn it into a romantic affair by lighting candles, opening a bottle of champagne and putting on some soft music.  Your loved one will be surprised and delighted by your efforts, and it will surely be a memorable date!

Be sure to check out our Delicious Cold Weather Picnic Recipes for some meal ideas, as well as Picnicking in Autumn for those who live in areas with mild winter weather.

Planning a Romantic Picnic for Two

Having a romantic picnic under the stars can be one of the best ways to bond with your significant other, if you plan it right.  Whisking your loved one away to a lake, mountain overlook, or other open-air location can be an impressive way to create a memorable experience.  Planning a romantic picnic for two is easy if you think ahead – make sure that you are prepared so that your picnic doesn’t become a disaster.

The Spread

A good picnic would not be complete without a picnic basket, and to impress your date, quality is key.  A wine and cheese basket is the perfect solution for picnic dates – they usually come complete with wine glasses, cutting boards, cheese knives, insulated wine compartments and details such as corkscrews and cloth napkins.  These details add a touch of sophistication, and will give the impression that you have spent a lot of time and effort planning this wonderful picnic.  It also saves you the time and expense of finding and purchasing each item separately.  You will also want to have a comfortable picnic blanket or set of portable picnic chairs.

The Setting

Finding a great spot is easy if you think creatively while planning your romantic picnic for two.  You don’t have to live near stunning natural scenery in order to have a good time – you can set up a beautiful picnic in your own backyard, hanging a string of lights from the trees or creating a ‘canopy’ out of fabric.  Private balconies can do the trick in urban locations.  On rainy days, lay out a picnic blanket on the floor in your living room or on a covered porch and arrange plants and candles so you have that ‘outdoor’ feel.  And, remember that those little romantic details are the finishing touch that will make the evening special – bring a vase of flowers and a radio, or make a mix CD of your favorite love songs to play from the car stereo. 

The Food

Hot wings and potato chips are great, but for a romantic evening you may want to try for a more elegant meal.  A simple platter with different varieties of cheese and fruit is visually stunning as well as delicious.  Take a cue from the French, and bring along a fresh baked baguette with some brie and grapes.  Create a Mediterranean feast with tomato & basil bruschetta, tortellini salad and calamata olive spread with crackers or pita.  Or, just drop by your local grocery store and pick up a loaf of French bread, some cheese, a rotisserie chicken and a cool bottle of white wine.  You could even call your favorite restaurant and order your favorite meals to go.  Choose something that will have minimal last-minute preparation and clean-up; you want to focus on having your sumptuous meal while sipping a glass of wine or champagne and, above all, relaxing. Along with food and beverages, make sure you remember other essential picnic items that should be included.

The most romantic part of a picnic is often the element of surprise! Show up at her door with a single rose, or pick him up after a long day at work with your picnic packed and ready to go in the car.  You could pack your basket and place it at your chosen location before picking up your date, and surprise them by pulling over and ‘finding’ the basket.  Leave a beautiful invitation to have a special evening together at her home or work, not telling her what’s in store.  There are so many ways to implement spontaneity into your romantic picnic for two, making it all the more enjoyable and memorable.