Level up date night this Valentine’s Day by taking your special someone on an romantic picnic for two. These Valentine’s Day picnic ideas will ensure you celebrate this holiday in a really special way with your partner or date.
A picnic is a thoughtful gesture that shows effort while allowing you to soak in quality time together. It’s a great alternative to dinner in a fancy restaurant too, as it doesn’t need to be expensive which makes it a great affordable date idea.
You just need a few essentials and some extra V-Day touches to create the perfect cozy and romantic experience.
Below are creative ideas and tips to plan the ideal couples’ picnic no matter your location. We have food and drink recommendations, from heart-shaped sandwiches to rosé wine, along with ideas to set a festive Valentine’s mood anywhere.
Here’s how to pack delicious snacks, set up ambiance with candles and lighting, pick a romantic spot, and personalize your picnic with thoughtful details.
With these Valentine’s Day picnic ideas, your Valentine will swoon at your personalized picnic packed with holiday romance. So spread out your blanket, say cheers to love, and find out how to plan the ultimate Valentine’s Day picnic date.
Pick the spot
The perfect picnic spot might already be obvious to you. Perhaps you already know of the ideal place to hold your romantic Valentine’s day picnic.
If not, here are some tips. Good places to have a picnic are:
- Your favorite park – Find a secluded spot or set up under a weeping willow tree for privacy
- Beach – Picnic in the sand while watching the sunset over the ocean
- Your local botanical garden – Beautiful scenery amidst flowers and greenery
- Vineyard – Many offer picnic grounds with wine
- Rooftop deck/terrace – Create ambiance high above the city
- Lake – Spread your blanket along an idyllic lake
- Hot air balloon – Unique views from up above (if your budget allows)
- Drive-in movie – Cuddle up with food while you watch
- Your own backyard – Deck it out in lights and decorations at home
- Natural lookout point – Somewhere with a great view will do
- Secluded forest clearing – Surrounded by nature but with privacy
Since Valentine’s Day is in February, it may be just too cold where you live to have an outdoor picnic. If that’s the case, then an indoor picnic is perfectly acceptable too.
The most important part is being together in a place that feels special, so the perfect location may be on your living room floor in front of the fire.
Choose your accessories
There are certain things every picnic needs, and other accessories that just make it that little bit more convenient.
Here are some recommended accessories to pack for a romantic Valentine’s Day picnic:
Blanket
Most picnics take place on a cozy blanket that you can spread out together on. You can use a regular blanket, as long as it’s clean and large enough for the both of you and your food and drink.
You can also get picnic blankets with waterproof linings. These are perfect if the ground is cold or wet, both of which don’t contribute to a very enjoyable experience.
If sitting on the ground is a no-go for any reason, even with a waterproof picnic blanket, then foldable chairs are the next best thing. You can also look for picnic tables with benches to sit at instead.
Wicker picnic basket
When you picture a traditional picnic, it’s always a wicker picnic basket you see. Not only are they super convenient for carrying all of your picnic items, but they also look very aesthetically-pleasing.
The great thing about modern picnic baskets is that they often come with all the utensils and crockery you need too. If not, then here’s what you need to add in…
Crockery and utensils
To ensure you don’t forget anything essential, here are the must-have crockery and utensils to pack for your Valentine’s Day picnic:
- Plates – Paper, plastic, or reusable options
- Utensils – Forks, spoons, knives (enough of each for each course you’re serving)
- Napkins
- Cups/mugs
- Wine glasses
- Water bottles
- Serving utensils such as tongs and large spoons
- Cutting board (if you’re planning to serve fruits or a cheese board)
- Knife (for cutting cheeses, meats, etc)
- Corkscrew/bottle opener
- Salt and pepper shakers
- Food containers for your prepared items
- Cooler bag
- Thermos for hot drinks like coffee or hot chocolate
- Wine or champagne bottle bucket (preferably one that’s already chilled so you don’t need to take ice)
- Straws
- Garbage bags for cleaning up afterwards
The right tools make eating, drinking, and serving a breeze at your picnic so it’s a great idea to plan accordingly for each course and every type of food or beverage you’re taking with you.
Pick the right food and drink
A romantic meal is easy to put together with these Valentine’s Day picnic ideas.
Picnic date food should be fairly light and usually easy to eat with your fingers. Try offering a selection of both sweet and savory bites so your date has a wide range of delicious food to pick from.
Here are some romantic picnic ideas to pack for a Valentine’s Day picnic:
- Charcuterie board – Cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, jams
- Crudités – Vegetables, hummus, ranch dip
- Sandwiches – Heart-shaped or finger sandwiches
- Sweets – Chocolate-covered strawberries, macarons, red velvet cupcakes
- Fresh fruit – Strawberries, grapes, apple slices
- Cheesecake – Cherry, chocolate, or swirled cheesecake slices
- Chocolate fondue – Fruit, cake, pretzels for dipping
- Cheese board
- Picnic flatbread – Heart-shaped flatbread or pizza
- Antipasto skewers – Cheese, meat, olives, pickled veggies
- Edible flowers – For decorating or toss into salads
- Heart-shaped cookies or rice crispy treats
- A box of chocolates
Knowing your date’s drink preference may get you bonus points. If you’re not sure though, here are some safe options to pair with your romantic dinner:
- Sparkling wine or champagne
- Rosé wine
- Sangria
- Hot chocolate
- Cold brew coffee
- Lemonade or iced tea
- Non-alcoholic sparkling juice
- Infused fruit waters
- Smoothies
- Milkshakes
- Hot tea or coffee
- Red wine
- Orange juice
Offering a variety of both hot and cold beverages will satisfy all preferences and is the perfect way to do it.
Little extras
There are some special touches you can add to your picnic to make it a really intimate setting and take it up to the next level:
- A bouquet of fresh flowers (don’t forget the vase!) or fresh rose petals to scatter around
- Battery-powered candles
- Portable speaker so you can play romantic background music
- Fairy/string lights (wrapped around trees or poles, or drape them on bushes, to create the perfect ambiance)
- Pillows and blankets for extra comfort while lounging
- A couple of portable games you can play together, like a pack of cards for a card game or two
These Valentine’s Day picnic ideas will ensure you put together the perfect Valentine’s Day picnic. For a really romantic picnic experience, pick a beautiful picnic spot first. Make sure you have all the equipment you need, and put together a delicious meal of indulgent foods and decadent desserts.
The finishing touches are to create a romantic ambiance for an extra special meal that your Valentine’s date will adore, whether you’re out in the beauty of nature or cozied-up in an at-home picnic location together. Have a great time!
Frequently asked questions
A Valentine’s Day picnic can be a wonderfully romantic and thoughtful date idea for couples, and is a fun way to spend this holiday. Planning a personalized picnic with your partner’s favorite snacks, drinks, and decorative touches is the perfect way to show effort and a great way to keep the focus on quality time together away from distractions.
For a romantic picnic, opt for finger foods like cheese, fruit, and charcuterie that can be fed to each other, along with sweet treats like chocolate-covered strawberries. Easy to sip drinks like champagne, white wines, or sangria also complement the light, shareable foods.
When packing for a picnic, avoid bringing perishable foods that could spoil like dairy-based items and meat sandwiches, messy foods that will soil the blankets and clothes, or anything with strong odors like tuna fish. Make sure to only take portable and small items as well.
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