Photo courtesy of Pixabay under Creative Commons 0 license
Planning the perfect picnic can be a stressful event, but if you follow these tips you will be well on your way to creating a wonderful and carefree event. Though most aspects of organizing the perfect picnic are equally important, there are a few guidelines that you should remember before your next outing. First, plan ahead. Find a beautiful area with open space and trees for shade, then check the weather, and check the weather again.
Just as if you were going on a vacation, you have to plan ahead and create a packing list for your picnic.
Some necessary items include:
• A comfortable blanket large enough to fit both the food and drink you will be bringing, as well as the number of guests who will be attending. Multiple blankets will be necessary if you have a large group, so you may consider asking each party to bring a small blanket.
• Two baskets: one for any non-perishable items such as a baguette, hard meats (i.e. salami, etc.), and cheese (if it’s a warm day, bring a hard cheese such as Pecorino or Manchego). You’ll need another basket to keep things such as wine, water, juice, or fruits cold while you set up your picnic spot. Freezing water soaked kitchen towels is a quick and simple way to keep your cooler perfectly chilled without worrying about melting ice cubes causing a watery mess.
• Utensils, a cutting board, napkins, dishware, and trash bags to clean up the aftermath of your perfect picnic
The menu isn’t the only part of the picnic worth planning, though. Prepare to bring some entertainment, such as a Frisbee or bocce ball, speakers or instruments. However, be considerate of those around you so that everyone can have a beautiful day under the sun. If children will be attending, be sure to bring entertainment for them, too. Sidewalk chalk, board games, and a deck of cards for the timeless game of go-fish should keep them occupied while you relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Before you know it, your picnic has become the focal point and envy of onlookers.