DIY: Create a Picnic Set up with your Girlfriends this Valentines

Valentines Day isn't just about celebrating love with your partner, so we've put together a little DIY on how to create a beautiful Picnic Set up with your Girlfriends this Valentines Day.

You can't tell us that there is anything better than heading down to your local beach (or park) with your besties (dogs included!) on a sunny afternoon, listening to your favourite tunes, enjoying a delicious platter of snacks, sipping bubbles and sharing lols of the month together. Putting yourself and your besties love first, sharing special moments and creating memories together is all that life is about. 

 Forget the over-priced Roses, booked out restaurants and general Valentines Day pressure (Ok but keep the cute jewellery....) get your girlfriends together instead to celebrate love and friendship this valentines Day with a cute outdoor picnic.

Here's 4 Easy Steps on how to Create a Perfect Beach (or Park) Picnic Set up.

1. Pick a Location

Location is key to a winning picnic as it sets the entire vibe, especially upon arrival. Here at Luna & Rose we're huge fans of Water so we're always hunting out beautiful Lakes, Beaches, Rivers for our casual picnic hangs. Some ideas if you like in a City are a local parks, positioned under a cute tree and away from any road noise, rooftops, Kids playground areas (often quiet after 4pm, just saying!), hillsides, a friends backyard or your favourite town square. OR perhaps you all want to jump in the car and head off to a farm just out of town for a change of scene! Things to consider when picking a location are:

•  Any Background Noise such as construction be kept to a minimum
•  What you will actually be sitting on (or putting your cute rugs down onto)
•  Wind
•  Shelter if the weather could be iffy..
•  If its at sunset, how about choosing a location where you can watch the sunset behind you!
•  Parking to the location, especially if you have people who may need assistance joining the picnic or are pregnant. The closer the access the more fun goodies you can bring too!
•  A view is always a memory-maker so if possible, we'll always opt for a view over everything else!

2. Prepare the Goodies

Here's the fun part! If you are organising the picnic, here is a list of things to remember to bring. Another good idea is to delegate a few things to each person who's coming along to share the load.

• 2-3 Baskets to carry and store your items inside
• 3-4 Rugs to lay the picnic foundation
• 2-3 Blankets to rug up in 
• 6-10 cushions (Or as many as you can bring!) Poufs are also great for some extra height and lean factor
• A cooler bag to store treats in such as Cheese, Chocolate & Pesto
• A Bottle of Wine (or 3..)
• Some Sparkling Water
• Dehydrated Lemons / Oranges for drinks vibe
• Some flowers if you're feeling fancy
• Glasses
• Napkins
• A Chopping Board or 2 for the platter + knives & Spoons
• Snacks for the Ultimate Snack Platter ie. Crackers, Dip, Nuts, Cookies, Fruit, Sourdough, Lollies, Guacamole, Chips, 
• UE Boom or Speaker for tunes
• A Pack of Cards, Back Gammon, Articulate, Taboo or any of your favourite Board Games
• A camera to capture the cuteness!
• Make sure you wear something comfortable (Like our Ollie Overalls)

Other good ideas of things to bring is some food coverings (goodbye pesky flies!) A laptop if you want to snuggle up and watch a movie, a spare towel for any spills, a rug or extra top for when it gets chilly and some extra cups.

Instead of a Snack Platter you could also make salads such as our delicious Soba Noodle Salad or Mint & Pea salad you can find here on our Blog. Otherwise - Pizza anyone!?

3. Gather the troops!

Send out an invite via Whatsapp, Facebook Event or go old school and write a personal card and pop it in their letterbox ahead of time! Depending on the vibe of your tribe and timing of your event, you can either opt for a last minute 'Picnic this afternoon at beach x, bring something to eat & see you there' or schedule for a date ahead of time. Planning is great for busy Mums, working with the weather if it's a bit iffy in your home town and to get a gauge on the number of people who might be coming. 

4. Arrive 30 mins early to set things up & prep some games.  

 Lay out the Blankets, scatter the pillows around the outside edges. Put together your platter, get the tunes on, pour yourself a wine and you're ready to go girl!

Picnics really are such a special way to sit back & enjoy the moment with your loved ones out in the fresh open air. Whether you're young or old, a great picnic session with your Girlfriends, Mum or Loved one is truly a moment in time to be cherished!

Because, how cool is an evening to celebrate your main gal-pals that you get to do life with!?