Total transparency here, I have never been a fan of Valentines Day.
Maybe its a hang up from my primary school days where missing out on getting a valentine card from one of my classmates, while all the cool kids got multiples was soul destroying ... or maybe because it has become so damn commercialised, most likely it is a combination of both.
Either way and despite my numerous mental scars I felt the need to write a blog about it, as the enjoyment my wife Emma and I get from sharing a romantic picnic experience together, was a large factor as to why we decided to get into the Picnic industry over a decade ago and the reason why we set up Saltwater Picnic Co.
Before I jump in to the general reasons why picnics are a great shared Valentines Day experience, I want to share something on a personal note.
I have never, ever had such a great response to a gift I have bought and given to Emma than I have hand preparing some of her favourite foods and surprising her with a picnic. It is 1000% hands down the best return on relationship investment EVER ... just saying! Ok, now back to the blog.
A picnic is a perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day, and here is why ...
You can choose the location of your picnic to naturally create a romantic backdrop that would be near impossible to match at a restaurant or bar.
A picnic will also allow you to curate a totally unique (and romantic) experience that your loved one most likely hasn't experienced before, forming a life long memories you both can treasure for ever.
You can also tailor a picnic around your partners (or would be partners) interest or hobbies.
If they love fishing, select a spot by a river or beach where they can wet a line, if they enjoy hiking, chose a location in one of the amazing National Parks Australia is world renown for, if they dig flowers, head to a botanical garden, if they love animals, head to a zoo ... I can go on for days here, but you get my drift.
One thing you can be assured of, is that your date will be a hit when you can combine it with a favourite activity or thing to do, not only from an enjoyment perspective but it shows you have put a level of thought into the outing which is hard to match when just buying a gift.
Picnics are also a great way to spend some quality time relaxing and enjoying the fresh air and natural surroundings. Instead of going out to a crowded hospitality joint, you can enjoy each others company and a relaxed meal in a secluded spot with less distractions.
Picnics are also super versatile. You can have a low key simple picnic with just some favourite sandwiches and snacks, or you can go all out and prepare (or have catered) a gourmet meal complete with wine, candles and even some musical performances .
The possibilities are endless, and you can customise your picnic to suit tastes and preferences. It is also a great opportunity to show off your creativity to try something new which might add a little spice and freshen things up in the relationship.
For those brave enough to share a picnic experience with someone they hope will become a partner but are not yet at that place in their relationship, there a bunch of great games around dating and first dates that will help add some fun and also help you get to know your date a little better.
For the budget conscience, another great thing about picnics is that they are way cheaper than hosting a meal at a fancy restaurant. I have never had the cost of preparing a picnic come anywhere near the bill at our favourite places to eat.
To wrap up, a picnic is the perfect Valentine's Day experience as it is way more thoughtful than any gift, it allows you to tailor the experience to exactly what you want, you get to enjoy the great outdoors spending uninterrupted quality time together, and create lifelong memories without breaking the bank.
And for those stuck on what they can do this Valentines Day, I will leave you with four questions to ask yourself.
What does your guest like to do outdoors?
Choose a perfect location to facilitate the perfect picnic.
What are your guests favourite foods?
Be sure to pack all the things they love.
What can I do to add some surprise and wow factor?
Time to showcase your creativity.
How can I make it a surprise?
A picnic is great, a surprise picnic makes the experience next level.
I hope this helps have the best Valentines Day ever this year, be sure to share your romantic picnic experiences with us.
