Life is a Picnic: Marriage Survival Kit
Published: September 9, 2018
Updated: July 22, 2026
Life is a Picnic: Marriage Survival Kit. I made the card envelope into the title of the gift.
Spoiler alert: Life is not always a picnic. Or the picnic is being raided by ants. Choosing the right person to spend your life with can help but the relationship needs to be nurtured.
One of my best friends is getting married this month! Lots of work has been put into the big day. Her and her fiancée have been together for many years already so when it came to choosing a gift for her bridal shower it was a little tricky- they aren't your traditional bride and groom. They are quite established and don't need anything. (They honestly didn't even bother with a registry.) So I wanted to get them something they could use along with something thoughtful, I headed over to Pinterest and started doing some research.
I stumbled across Creative "Try" Alls Blog where they had an adorable picnic inspired themed bridal shower gift.
I loved the concept and started brainstorming on how to make it my own and I’m really happy with how it turned out. This gift is practical and affordable.
Related Posts:
Practical Bridal Shower Gifts
I used a fabric cooler to pack everything together- my main focus was making sure everything had a useful purpose and a meaningful one. We all have so much junk these days that I didn’t want to fill their house up with more ‘things.’
The Contents
I filled the cooler with 4 picnic related items plus a book I found on Amazon.
1. Sandwich containers with a note: Fresh is Best, Don't Let your Love Go Stale.
2. Two new plastic water bottles and;
3. Crystal Light Lemon Lime water flavoring (Because I couldn't find the lemonade mixes ANYWHERE in the grocery store...) and a note: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade.
4. An Ice pack with a note: Keep Your Cool
Lastly I found this adorable book on Amazon: Wishes, Advice, and Happy Thoughts for Marriage which was passed around during the bridal shower so all the guests could write in some words of encouragement or congratulations.
As I update this post in 2026, I’m happy to report my friends are still together with a house and two wonderful children. In a world where one in two marriages end in divorce this feels like a triumph.
While I haven’t tied the knot (yet?), I’ve been lucky to have a supportive partner by my side for many years and have compiled a list of 10 marriage survival tips that will hopefully provide you with the same successful and loving relationship that I have.
Marriage Survival Tips
Learn each other's love language.
People don't always give or receive love in the same way. Someone could need words of affirmation while the other needs acts of service. Understanding what makes your partner feel loved can prevent a lot of misunderstandings. For me, I need acts of service and quality time together. Being introverted he’s my person and may be the only person I see for days.Talk before little problems become big ones.
It's tempting to brush things aside, but small frustrations can quietly build into resentment. Next thing you know you’re blowing up because of something small (like a dishwasher being filled wrong) and then no one wins. Normalize checking in with each other regularly and address concerns while they're still easy to solve.Listen to understand- not to respond.
Sometimes your partner isn't looking for advice or a solution. They're looking for someone to truly hear them. The best thing is to ask what they need from you at that time. Most people will be open and say “I need your opinion” or “I just need to rant for a minute.”Assume good intentions.
Everyone has off days. Before jumping to conclusions, give your partner the benefit of the doubt. Most disagreements aren't about malice, they're usually about miscommunication, or stress.Keep dating each other.
Marriage doesn't mean the courtship ends. We need that connection to keep our hearts full. Continue planning date nights and trying new activities together. Sometimes even enjoying uninterrupted time together is all that’s needed. Staying connected requires intention.Learn how each of you handles conflict.
Some people need time to think before talking, while others want to resolve things immediately. Understanding each other's communication style can make disagreements far more productive.Say "thank- you" often.
Appreciation goes a long way. Acknowledge the little things like when they make you a coffee, or doing the dishes (without being asked). Feeling appreciated helps both partners feel valued.Be on the same team.
When disagreements happen, remember it's not you versus your spouse; it's both of you working together against the problem. Shifting your mindset from "winning" to "solving" changes the conversation entirely.Give each other room to grow.
People change over time. Encourage each other's dreams, hobbies, and personal growth. Supporting one another through different eras strengthens your relationship rather than pulling it apart. You want to grow together.Choose kindness every day.
The little moments matter just as much as the big ones. A hug before work, a kind text during the day, or offering encouragement can build a relationship that's resilient through life's challenges.
At the end of the day, there’s no perfect formula for a long lasting marriage but the small and intentional choices we make on a daily basis add up over time. Communication and a dedication to keep learning about each other can build a relationship that survives and thrives through life’s challenges.
This list goes both ways, if your spouse refuses to put in the effort it may be a lost cause. It’s a two way street and I wish you the best while you go through this journey.
