Nobody’s favorite errand is the grocery store — so let’s turn it into a date. The next time you send your sweetheart out for something “real quick,” hand them a very specific shopping list and secretly plant a sweet love note beside each item. They’ll wander the aisles gathering groceries and discovering how loved they are, one note at a time — and every item on the list comes together into a delicious treat for two. Love notes and dessert? It doesn’t get any sweeter.
What Is the Grocery Store Love Note Hunt?
It’s a scavenger hunt disguised as a grocery run. You give your spouse a themed shopping list, and each item has a matching love note waiting for them on the shelf. As they check items off, they collect your notes too — and the groceries all add up to a fun dessert you make together afterward. It’s inexpensive, quick to prep, and turns the most ordinary chore into a memory.
What You’ll Need
- A short, specific shopping list — the ingredients for a shared treat (a banana split is perfect: bananas, ice cream, chocolate sauce, cherries, sprinkles).
- A love note for each item. Use our printable shopping list and matching love notes (designed by Messes to Memories), or simply write your own on sticky notes — one sweet line per item.
- Tape or sticky notes to attach each note near its item.
How to Set It Up
The key is timing — you want the notes waiting when your spouse arrives, without leaving them up so long they get cleared away. Pick whichever approach fits your day:
- Go together and split up. Hand over the list, then stay a step ahead, taping notes to shelves while they gather the items behind you.
- Recruit a helper. Ask a friend or family member to place the notes around the store just before your spouse arrives.
- Beat them there. Ask your spouse to stop for the items on their way home, and secretly get to the store first to set everything out.
The Sweet Payoff
Here’s the best part: those items your spouse gathered? They come together into a delicious banana split dessert for two. Build your sundaes together when they get home, swap favorite notes from the hunt, and enjoy the sweetest end to the most romantic grocery run they’ve ever made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have the printables?
No problem — the idea works beautifully with plain sticky notes. Just write one short, sweet line for each item on your list (“You’re the cherry on top,” “I’m bananas for you”). Homemade notes are every bit as meaningful.
Will store employees mind the notes?
Keep them small and easy to remove, place them right when your spouse is arriving, and collect any leftovers on your way out. Most of the time nobody minds a little love in the aisles.
Can I do this for something other than a banana split?
Absolutely. Swap in the ingredients for any shared treat — nachos, a charcuterie board, cookies, or a favorite dinner — and theme the notes to match.
Love leaving little surprises? Stock up on more love notes & free printables, try more at-home date night ideas, or browse our full A–Z date idea list.
Reader Favorites
Our most-loved bedroom games & date-night ideas for couples:
We love your comments
You could also do this at your own house if you can’t figure out the logistics of the grocery store (without other people finding and taking your notes). For example, you could ask him to grab the chocolate syrup out of the fridge (and have the card there by it for him to find). Or if he always takes a banana to work, put the banana one by it one morning.
I love that idea! Thank you for sharing this idea – it is a great alternative.
What a great idea! I’m making a date basket to give my husband for our anniversary and I will be including this one. One modification I am making is that my cards are used as clues for the next item. For example, instead of putting the banana card on the bananas I will give it to him to start the hunt. On the bananas will be the berry card, and so on. Thanks for your amazing date ideas! My husband and I love date nights!
Shawna, that is a clever idea! You two are awesome for making date night a priority! You two are welcome. xox
omg I just stumbled across this right now and we plan to go to the grocery store tonight! im supposed to meet him there on his way home from work anyway so all I have to do is show up early to pull this off! boy is he in for a surprise lol
Hi! I am so glad you found this post, such perfect timing for you to stumble upon it!!! Your plans to meet at the grocery store couldn’t be better for this date! He is in for a fabulous surprise!!! You are going to have to fill us in on how the date turned out, did he love it, did he find all the notes, and how surprised was he? xox
My husband usually hates to go grocery shopping, but I know this date would definitely put a smile on his face! Thanks for such a creative idea!
Candice you are too cute, I hope you two enjoyed it! xox
Now this is probably the most original thing I have ever seen! A great way to make someone feel special!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
Awe, you are too sweet! Thanks for your adorable compliments! xox <3
How cute are all of you! Thanks for the cute and supportive comments! I seriously can’t wait to hear how your dates turn out!!! xox <3
That was adorable Michelle! It’s not like any other date I’ve ever planned! Your so creative and I can’t wait to benefit from your time and creative ideas!!!
Heidi you are a rockstar with fun date ideas, all you’ve got to do is drag your hubby out more often! I might just steal a few ideas from you to share with everyone!!! I can’t wait for you to benefit either, wink!!! xox <3
I LOVE this date! Have been trying to come up with something while grocery shopping and you nailed it! Woo!
Thanks Wendy!!! xox <3
Such a FUN & cute idea, Michelle! Love it! xoxo
Thanks girl!!! xox <3
Michelle, this looks like so much fun and so easy. You have some great ideas.
Terri, you could do this with your whole family! Your cute kids would love searching through the grocery store for family night!!! xox <3
Great idea! I think I’ll make a scavenger hunt for my hubby today!
So inquiring minds want to know, how did your date go? xox <3