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When thinking of a romantic date idea, everyone immediately thinks of a picnic date. Fun, relaxation and a touch of old-fashioned romance come together on a 2×2 blanket. And with the mercury rising to great heights, there is no better time than today to plan a picnic date.
According to Tinder UK, there are now 487% more mentions of the word ‘picnic date’ in dating profiles, while singles are also talking about summer in their bios 30% more. A carefree and relaxed picnic date might just be the best option for the upcoming warm days. But how do you plan a decent picnic date?
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Choose a spot
The word ‘picnic’, according to the theory books, comes from the French expression ‘pique une niche’, or ‘choose a spot’. When the expression was first used, according to the same theory, about three centuries ago, it also referred to a relaxing moment in a place where distractions and responsibilities were absent. So ask yourself the question: “Where can I go to create this moment?”
While you might be thinking of a 2-hour trip to the Kijkduin coastline to celebrate the sunset with a special glass of wine, the ideal spot for a picnic date might not be as far away as you think. Because no matter where you live in the Netherlands: there is always a quiet spot on the shore of a lake, canal or river. As long as you don’t sit at a picnic table right next to a busy road, you can always find a quiet and idyllic spot on an average riverbank.
If you are not familiar enough with the area you are in, you can also just search for ‘picknickplaats’ in Google Maps. The nearest picnic spots will be shown on the maps with distances. And if this does not yield enough results, you can always go to the tourist website of your region with these picnic spots in Twente and South Limburg as an example.
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The right day and time
A successful picnic doesn’t require many ingredients. But one ingredient that you can’t do without is a bright sun. Summer is the best time for a relaxing meal outdoors. When the sun is shining, it’s the perfect time to laze around in the grass, stare at the clouds and hold hands.
Since it can get quite warm in the Netherlands these days, early and late summer are preferred due to the lower temperatures. Therefore, these periods give you more freedom to choose when you want to picnic. Not too hot, not too cold; the ideal temperature to enjoy the outdoors. The idea of enjoying a picnic is to take advantage of the outdoors, so choose a nice spot on a day with nice weather.
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What to bring
When we talk about a picnic date, the question is already: “What to bring?” And that’s where it gets complicated – especially for some men – because what exactly do you bring to a picnic date if you want to impress? An elaborate meal that you prepare on the spot with kitchen tools you don’t even know how to use? Luckily, that’s not necessary. Keep it simple and easy – especially when the idea of going on a date with someone you don’t know very well is intimidating enough.
Pro tip
Forgetting something can really throw your planning off. That glass of wine your date loves? If it’s the main event of the picnic, it’s a good idea to make a checklist of what your picnic date needs to have. Then, check off each item on the list as you purchase or arrange it.
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Food and drink
Choose a meal that you can eat with your hands, without a knife, fork or spoon, and that you can prepare in advance. Or of course just food that is already packed and ready to eat. However, with just a little effort, a prepared meal can feel a little more romantic and special. Fruit, nuts, cheeses, crackers, toppings and dips: these are the snacks that are made for a picnic. So serve easy-to-prepare dishes, such as sandwiches, wraps, boiled eggs, sliced fruit, tearable or sliced bread, chips, cookies, pesto and other snacks.
Drinks can be canned or bottled, but cups or glasses should be on your checklist. And if you bring a bottle, don’t forget the bottle opener or corkscrew – in case you need that tool to open the bottle. Other ideas:
- A cooler for items that need to be kept cold.
- Plastic storage bins, wet wipes and plastic bags (for waste).
- Plates, napkins, cutting board and cutlery.
Picnic clothes
Most picnic spots are not only great for a romantic lunch, they are also places where dogs love to eat. So a comfy blanket is a minimum requirement for a picnic date. Even if it’s just to keep your clothes clean, a blanket or rug is essential. If you want to be on the safe side, you can also put a vinyl tablecloth underneath.
Make sure the blanket or rug is large enough to seat at least two people, including all the supplies you bring. A 200 x 200 cm blanket is more than enough for most picnics.
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Supplies
All the supplies need to get to the place somehow. So you need something to carry the food and other accessories in. A big big shopper is fine, but will that make the date special? No. To impress, choose an old-fashioned wicker basket, which is a bit more charming than a shopping bag. Want to make it easy on yourself? Just carry everything in a big backpack. Some other ideas for accessories to bring to the picnic:
- Sunscreen
- Insectenspray.
- Book, magazine or other literature.
- Bluetooth speaker to play background music.
- Game to play.
Sometimes the most practical things show how much you know about your date. From the colors you choose to the treats your date loves, it’s the little things that count on a picnic date. Even bringing SPF 50 sunscreen shows that you’re thinking about your date’s skin type, which burns very easily.
Finally, if you think a picnic is boring, you might be surprised. It is a liberating feeling to shut yourself off from all the distractions of everyday life. It gives you attention for each other. And besides: it is also time that you put down the phones and use that attention for each other.
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