Whether it is a special occasion, such as a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day, or just a date you want to be memorable, knowing what to pack for a romantic day outdoors depends on a variety of factors including the weather and what you plan to do on your outdoor adventure. One of the best romantic outdoor dates is to take a drive, bike ride, or hike to a breathtaking spot and have a picnic while you enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Romantic places can include an overlook of a vista such as a lake or a mountain range or a spot that holds personal significance. Organizing this type of date is not all that difficult, with the most difficult part is preparing the menu items. To help you get started on planning your romantic day outdoors with your special someone, here is a sure-fire picnic checklist to help you pull it off without a hitch:
1) Picnic Basket or Pack
The first thing you will need is something to carry everything in. If you are driving and will not be venturing very far from a road, some sort of basket will suffice. If you are going to take a bike ride or hike, you will want some type of pack to carry all your grub and other items. There are specially designed picnic backpacks that are set up for organizing food, dishes, and utensils. Some of the fancier packs have an insulated cooler compartment that will hold ice or freeze packs to keep drinks and perishable foods cold and compartments for other items.
2) Something for Sitting
There are specially designed compact folding picnic tables that are perfect for the occasion, and folding camping chairs with cup holders are a great idea if you are driving to your spot. If biking or hiking, a nice comfy blanket will do nicely. However, if you are packing in away from a road and go with a blanket, be sure to pack a good travel size bug spray as many bugs live in the grass.
3) Entertainment
Create a playlist of your favorite music on your smartphone and download an audiobook or a movie that you and your significant other have been wanting to see. Maybe add a card or board game you both like. Many popular games, like Backgammon or Battleshipcome in compact travel-size versions. Just don’t forget the charging cords and power pack for your phones.
4) Hammock
A small portable hammock for two will let you get cozy after you eat and watch your movie and maybe have a short siesta together. If you are driving, there are hammocks with a stand that will save you from having to hunt for two trees that are just the right distance apart.
5) Viewing Aids
Binoculars or a small telescope are an excellent idea for wildlife viewing or evening star gazing. If you plan to be out after dark, pack a good odorless bug spray that will keep the bugs away but won’t smell bad, so you will still want to cuddle up to keep warm.
6) Fire
Sitting by a fire with someone you love is right at the top of the list of all-time romantic activities. If you are going somewhere where you can have a fire, bring some wood, a portable fire pit, or a small barbeque grill with charcoal along with some hot dogs and marshmallows for roasting.
7) Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
Incidence of skin cancer is on the rise, so you always want to wear sunscreen on any exposed areas outdoors. Insects like ticks and mosquitoes carry diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and West Nile and Zika viruses that are transmissible to humans. To be safe, always be sure to pack a good backpacking bug spray.
8) Kayak or Canoe
If you are headed to a lake, bring a canoe or kayak and paddle out to a secluded spot for your picnic. Alternatively, load up the paddle craft and take a romantic cruise down a tranquil river and find a nice spot for your picnic. Be sure you don’t forget the life vests.
9) Clothing
Be sure to check the weather report and dress appropriately. Packing rain jackets in case of an emergency tarp isn’t a bad idea. If you are staying out after dark, bring warmer clothes, so you don’t get cold and have to cut the evening short.
10) Food
Deciding what types of foods to pack shouldn’t be very difficult. Just think about what you and your other half’s favorite foods are and how you can make those work for a picnic. Here are some good-ole picnic fair standbys to give you some ideas:
- Breakfast Menu Ideas
I. Muffins or scones with jam.
II. Granola with yogurt and fresh fruit.
III. For cooking: scrambled eggs, sausage, and hash brown potatoes.
- Lunch Menu Ideas
I. French-bread or croissant sandwiches with potato or macaroni salad.
II. Roasted deli chicken and garden salad.
- Dinner Menu Ideas
I. Prepared pasta and salad.
II. Sushi.
III. For grilling: marinated meat, like steak, fish, or pork chops with vegetables like zucchini, peppers, and asparagus.
- Desserts
I. Chocolate torte.
II. Cheesecake.
- Drinks
I. Sparkling fruit juice.
II. Orange juice and champagne mimosas
III. Coffee in a thermos or a small French-press and quality coffee grounds with a thermos of hot water for a more romantic touch.
IV. Wine or sake, and don’t forget the plastic wine goblets and a corkscrew!
By now, you are hopefully getting some ideas of your own on how to create a memorable romantic day outdoors. Take the ideas here and add your own personal touches to make the day special and unforgettable. To make it the most killer date of all time, you could even take an overnight camping trip with a canoe or kayak and combine all of the ideas. However, whatever you decide, be sure to always use a good bug repellent for your romantic day outdoors as many biting insects carry diseases like West Nile fever and Lyme disease that are readily transmissible to humans and can have serious consequences. PROVEN Insect Repellent makes a full line of bug sprays and lotions, including a travel size bug spray and a 12-hour bug spray, all of which contain no harsh chemicals and are available for purchase in stores and online.
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