Hard to believe, but summer will be coming to a close soon (at least according to the calendar).
It’s time to take advantage of good weather and enjoy the last drops of summertime fun, and one of the best ways to do that is with an old fashioned picnic.
Here are my perfect picnic essentials.
1. Location, Location, Location
There are lots of ways to picnic–a peaceful afternoon by the lake, an evening of Shakespeare in the park, or spread out on the living room floor in inclement weather. Plan before you pack. For example, some places are dog friendly, and others are not. It is also good to know ahead of time how far you will need to trek to your perfect spot so that you can think about how you will pack and carry all of your goodies.
2. Pack your Bags
Speaking of packing, I am going to have to be honest–as cute and retro as a wicker hamper may look, they can be inefficient and hard to carry. If you insist on being a traditionalist, my favorite is the Picnic Time Canterbury Picnic Basket. It’s so Ralph Lauren meets Downton Abbey.
A cooler can be equally difficult to transport. If you are going to a park, you might be able to bring in a cooler with wheels, but if you are walking any distance at all to get to your idyllic spot, I recommend the Yeti Hopper M20 Soft Backpack. The capacity is better than other packs,and it keeps your hands free so that you can still carry your blanket. And it comes in super fun colors!
3. The Essentials
The absolute must haves–bug spray, sunscreen, garbage bags, wet wipes, and paper towels. A good knife and a small cutting board will be useful.
I recommend a blanket with a pattern that won’t show dirt or stains. It’s better than a really dark color which can get uncomfortable if the weather is hot and sunny. If you have extra hands to carry them, a few throw pillows in a durable fabric add a lot of fun and comfort. And for chairs, I think one of the best is the Picnic Time Sports Chair from Lands End. It has really useful carry straps as well as a built-in table as well–a little more like glamping, and definitely more my style!
4. Tasty Treats
I like to pack lots of options, salads and lighter things that people can snack on over the course of the day. Think easy to eat, hard cheeses that won’t melt, and whole fruits like grapes, strawberries, cherries that you can grab without needing to cut them up. Leafy salads will wilt, so pack corn or tomato salads instead. I try to be careful about mayonnaise, so I’m not a big fan of sandwiches on a picnic, so I go with other hand held options–fried chicken, spanakopitas, or cornish pasties are all easy to transport and to eat. Ice cream and pudding like desserts won’t hold up well, but I’m interested in trying desserts in jars. This brownie looks good to me!
5. Thirst Quenchers
My number one picnic bev is an easy to open screw top rose wine like G.D. Vajra Rosabella. I like to serve it in plastic glassware from Strahl – their stemless wine glass is perfect. They feel good in your hand and won’t get etched in the dishwasher. Absolutely worth the cost!
Of course, options are always good. Freeze water and juices ahead of time and they will stay cold longer as well as help keep other items in your cooler stay chilled!
