A Fireside Picnic

Photography by Rebekah Burder for Honeysuckle Life.

Looking for a cheap date idea for Valentine’s Day? A fireside picnic for two makes a perfect romantic night at home! Layer a few rugs, pillows, and rugs in front of a fire. Cut up fruit to dip in melted chocolate, light a few candles, and you have an evening guaranteed for romance without busting the budget.

I melted our chocolate fondue on top of our wood stove. To make your own, take an oven-proof container (I found these miniature beauties at a local budget shop), add a few drops of vanilla extract and pomegranate juice, and several squares of dark chocolate. Be generous, it melts down quite a bit. Add a bit of cream or milk to thin it out, and place on a warm surface. Mix the chocolate as it melts until smooth.

Man cannot exist on fruit and chocolate alone, so I added in oven-baked steak sandwiches. They’re so simple to make! Take a baguette and cut out part of the inside, leaving a v-shaped shell. Grill a seasoned steak until rare, then let sit for 10 minutes. Slice thinly and layer the meat into the baguette. Pour the juice over the top of the steak, then cover with cheese (swiss or edam melt nicely). Broil until the cheese is melted and browned.

What’s your favorite stay at home date night tradition?