Picnics have become one of favorite things to do during late summer and early fall. There is nothing like going to the park or your own backyard and enjoying some intimate time with someone special. Whether that is family, friends or a picnic for two. Your picnic style is definitely a personal choice. You can choose to bring a sandwich from your favorite deli or a brown bag lunch. While others may want a fancier set up and bring a mini version of their kitchen from side dishes packed in your favorite ceramic dish to glassware.

With that being said, here are tips for planning a perfect picnic!

Pick The Perfect Spot!

Location! Location! Location! Find the right spot. Make sure its not too sunny and not too shady. The perfect temperature makes for a better experience. Now that you have picked the perfect location, let’s gather the essential items needed.

Essential Items

• Bring a table cloth and a blanket. If you don’t have a table cloth, thats totally ok!! I used some old curtains instead. The thing to remember is there is no such thing as being over prepared. If something spills and makes a mess the tablecloth (my curtains) can serve as a blanket. Amazon has a plethora of items to pick from.
• Find the right size picnic basket or cooler for you. I used this one from Bed Bath and Beyond. Pack your serving dishes/utensils at the bottom of your cooler or basket so they don’t squish down your food and you can set the food out first. Here you can find other types of baskets.
• Ice Packs or Cooler Bags. Picnic baskets are cute and definitely help create the ambiance you are looking for, but you’ll want to make sure that there’s room in your basket for some ice packs or cooler bags to keep your food fresh. If you’re out for the whole day and keeping your picnic in the boot for later, you don’t want the food to get too warm! You’ll also want to keep your drinks cool – there’s nothing worse than a tepid carton of apple juice or a warm glass of white wine on a hot day. It’s best to bring two separate bags for your picnic: one cooler bag for items that should be kept chilled and another basket for everything else.
• Hand wipes. There are bound to be sticky fingers, spilt wine and unexpected moments! Therefore, hand wipes are essential.
• Utensils. Try eco-friendly disposable utensils like wood spoons, forks and knives. Once used you can dispose immediately vs. bringing them back home.
• Protection from the Sun. Sunscreen, sunglasses umbrellas, and hats can be used to do this!
• Cups. Don’t forget reusable cups! There are plenty of pretty cups and wine glasses that are perfect for picnics and these will be reusable year on year.
• Trash Bags. You want to bring something to put your trash in. Most parks have trash cans but not all do. Depending on where you picnic, bringing a trash bag is essential.

Food & Drink

Choosing the perfect picnic food requires a little bit of planning. You’ll want to pack lots of finger food that is easy for people to grab and eat without cutlery. You’ll also want to pack food that is easy to transport and is unlikely to go bad after a few hours out of the fridge. As I stated above, it’s best to pack some cooler packs to keep your food fresh anyway but items that don’t need refrigeration are the best.

So there are my top tips for how to plan the perfect picnic. What are your picnic essentials?