Picnics are a delicious change of pace. A different setting is sometimes all you need to refresh your routines. Cooler evenings near early autumn make the perfect setting for outdoor eating. Whether you plan for day or night, eating alfresco allows you to change the scenery, escape the confines of your house, and experience nature. When you picnic in your backyard, you can enjoy the fresh air and open skies, all within reach of home comforts.
Though outdoor meals feel spontaneous, they require planning. First, check the weather. One benefit of picnicking in your backyard is that even if there are surprise showers, you’re mere meters from shelter. That said, it’s best to factor in the forecast to ensure picnic-perfect conditions.
Gather outdoor essentials so you don’t have to make multiple trips into the house: napkins, utility lighter, bug spray, trash bag, maybe even an extension cord. Grab a box for an impromptu table. You can keep things simple with disposable plates and cutlery, or take advantage of your proximity to home and use real dishes to add a dash of elegance.
Find a cozy nook with soft grass and a great view of the sky. Lay a comfy bedspread on the ground. If the yard is damp, protect your soft furnishings with a tarp beneath them. Arrange your blanket with plush pillows and a decorative duvet or two.
Hang rice paper balls, colorful bunting, or outdoor lanterns from low branches to boost the festive feel. Accent your setup with fresh flowers, votive candles, or battery-powered tea lights. Remember the picnic basket. Even though you’re only a few steps from your kitchen, packing your meal in wicker will add to the ambiance.
Prepare a romantic playlist on your phone or mp3 player and connect it to a portable speaker. Or if you’ve been together long enough to have a treasured mixtape from your courtship, go old school and dust off your antique boom box.
While it may be fun to whip up a gourmet meal to eat in a picnic setting, my recommendation is to enhance the romance with finger foods you can feed to each other. Again I fall to the example of my character Lucian, who whisked away his love interest for a sunset picnic, offered his lap as a pillow, read to her (swoon), and hand-fed plump, juicy grapes as an excuse to keep his fingers near her lovely lips. Imagine this scene between existing lovers.
Tantalize your partner with foreplay food choices. Butter-brushed baguette slices. Fresh strawberries and cream. Graham cracker cookies dipped in rich chocolate. Savory or sweet, accompany your delicacies with a bottle of wine served in plastic flutes (or glass if you trust yourselves with them in the yard).
Aim for minimal clean-up and maximum romance. Whether you opt for simple sandwiches or create a themed menu, the main ingredients in your backyard repast are you and your partner.
In between feeding each other delectables, indulge in your private setting. Hidden in your backyard, hands are free to roam without concern of public detection. Wear loose clothing for easier access. Slip your fingers between cotton and skin as a precursor to your indoor fun. Bon appétit!
If you try this intimacy tip or have a better recommendation, let me know in the comments. For weekly suggestions on how to show your partner love, sign up for my blog, 52 Love, in the sidebar.
