Today I’m sharing my Valentine’s Day Coffee Table Picnic with you. As you’re planning your Valentine’s Day celebration, there may be a number of reasons why you can’t dine out at a fancy Michelin star restaurant or maybe, that’s not your style. You can still have a memorable celebration at home that’s casual, thoughtful and intentional. Breaking from the fancy-dinner-at-home idea, why not a casual coffee table picnic with pillow seating? Maybe you work long shifts or the weather isn’t cooperating or maybe, you have limited funds this year. Whatever the reason, a picnic is easy to put together and doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.
Picnics have a way of making you feel at ease. There’s no fuss or special attire, you don’t need rules for flatware and there’s always a game or two. My coffee table picnic is designed for a casual celebration with a no-fuss charcuterie menu that’s easy to put together and a few relationship card games for a sprinkle of whimsy.
HERE’S HOW I PUT THIS TOGETHER
I knew I wanted to set up my picnic in the converted garage, a.k.a. the Fun Room, on this beautiful antique cedar chest. The chest was the perfect size and it’s conveniently located in front of the television. If watching a romantic comedy is in the cards, you can eat while enjoying a movie.
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with blush pinks. I find them soothing, versatile and very neutral. It started a few weeks ago when I came across these adorable blush heart-shaped small bowls and two-tiered cake plate at TJ Maxx. I bought them and purchased a table runner and napkins to match on Amazon. With my location and color scheme set, I was ready to plan out my picnic for two.
A long and narrow live edge board in the center of the table was the perfect vehicle for my charcuterie spread. I placed the champagne on ice on one end and my Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta desserts (served in the blush heart-shaped bowls) on the other end of the table. I played around with the spacing of the items until I had everything to my liking.
In addition to champagne on ice, I set two half bottles of Santa Margarita wine and prepared two Chambord Royale Cocktails. I added Scrabble game tiles to write a simple message, taking inspiration from the classic sweetheart candy.
On the charcuterie board I arranged prosciutto ham, coppa, hard salami, brie cheese, 3 Spanish cheeses (Manchego, Queso de Cabra and Iberico), skewered Caprese salad, Marcona almonds, cornichons, fig jam, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, wheat crackers and water crackers. A few Jordan almonds in a cupcake liner sit next to the board.
The local deli has a great selection of cheeses and meats that are ideal for any charcuterie board. Seasonal fruit not only adds color to the board, but it helps to counter the saltiness of the meats and cheeses. Cornichons are mini cucumbers. They go perfectly with ham, cheese and are a great addition to any board along with a little jam for that salty and sweet bite. Fig jam or fruit is a wonderful addition.
What’s more perfect than skewered Caprese salad with Maldon sea salt and balsamic glaze? These little mozzarella balls come marinated and make assembly a breeze. On a party pick, alternate skewering a mozzarella ball with a cherry tomato. Sprinkle Maldon sea salt flakes, black pepper and balsamic glaze. You can also add some chopped basil. Delicious and easy!
My local Publix bakery makes mini desserts and specialty cakes. I purchased some petit fours, mini fruit tarts and cheese cake almond cones. While I made panna cotta, I could have purchased something else for a no-cook spread.
Picnics include games, right? While a sack race is out of the question, these card games (The Perfect Match and Truth or Dare) add a touch of whimsy and can make for some funny conversations. They are so cute! Candles and flowers are the perfect finishing touches to my perfect romantic picnic.
I hope this inspires you to make your Valentine’s Day celebration the perfect one for you this year! May love always find a way and may all we do, do in love.
