| Picnicking is a favorite summer pastime of many | | | | picnic (or if it is large enough to lay down on as |
| Americans. Who does not love a good picnic? | | | | you watch the clouds drift by). |
| There is the sun, the food, the company... The | | | | · Consider buying a waterproof picnic |
| trick to a good picnic, though, is to make sure | | | | blanket. Such a blanket can be used for all four |
| that you have everything you need. Here are | | | | seasons. Also, it can protect you from wet |
| some ideas to help you plan for your picnic. | | | | ground. |
| Let us start with your picnic basket: | | | | The picnic food: |
| · Consider buying a picnic basket that has | | | | · Prepare your food before you come, |
| a hard, flat top so that it can double as a table. | | | | but do not completely prepare it. For instance, if |
| · If you are planning on walking to your | | | | you are planning on having sandwiches, you should |
| picnic site, you should buy a backpack "picnic | | | | cook and season the meat and wash the lettuce |
| basket." You certainly do not want to have to | | | | and prepare other condiments, etc. in advance. |
| carry the awkward bulk of a regular picnic basket. | | | | But you should not put the sandwich together until |
| · Find a picnic basket that is lined and one | | | | you are on the picnic - you do not want a soggy |
| that shuts fully. You do not want to have to | | | | sandwich! Also, with a salad, do not put the salad |
| worry about bugs crawling or wiggling in as. Also, | | | | dressing on until you are at your destination, etc. |
| consider a picnic basket with a clasp closure of | | | | · Bring lots of water. You can get |
| some sort - this will help keep animals out (while | | | | dehydrated, sitting out in the sun. |
| you are off playing Frisbee), and it will also ensure | | | | · If you bring wine, do not forget the |
| that the top is completely closed so that nothing | | | | corkscrew! |
| can spill out. | | | | · It is possible to bring warm food, but it |
| · Your picnic basket may have come | | | | is generally not worth the hassle. Think of foods |
| ready with wine glasses, a bottle stopper, cheese | | | | that are good cold: sandwiches, pasta salads, |
| knives, cutting boards, napkins, a corkscrew, a | | | | bread and cheese, fruit, etc. It might be fun to |
| flask, plates, utensils, food containers, salt and | | | | bring a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate, |
| pepper shakers, cooler bag, steel mugs, fleece | | | | though... especially for an evening picnic. |
| blanket, and a wine duffel, but this does not mean | | | | · Don't forget dessert! Even if you just |
| that you need to use every single item! Lessen | | | | bring along a wrapped chocolate, you will love it |
| your load! If there are only two of you going on | | | | (just keep the chocolate in the shade so that it |
| the picnic, do not carry around 4 place settings. | | | | does not melt)! |
| Don't bring the corkscrew if you do not have | | | | · Don't bring incredibly messy food - |
| wine, etc. | | | | remember, where you are going, there will not be |
| · Make sure that you use the | | | | a place to wash your hands or your plate. |
| compartments and ties of your picnic basket - it | | | | Other picnic items: |
| would be rather disappointed to get to your | | | | · Be sure to bring utensils and plates and |
| destination, only to find that your plates are | | | | glasses, etc. Most picnic baskets come with these |
| broken and your food has sloshed everywhere. | | | | things already. If your basket is brand new, wash |
| The picnic blanket: | | | | the utensils and other items first. |
| · The picnic blanket is an essential part of | | | | · Bring a little bit of entertainment, just in |
| a picnic! It is so much more comfortable (and less | | | | case. It is plenty entertaining to simply sit outside |
| dirty) to sit on a blanket than directly on the | | | | and enjoy nature, but sometimes you can enjoy |
| ground. | | | | nature a bit better if you have a Frisbee to toss, |
| · Bring a comfortable and soft picnic | | | | music to listen to, or cards to play, etc. |
| blanket - if it colds, you may want to wrap it | | | | · Prepare for cooler or wet weather. |
| around yourselves. | | | | · If you have kids, come prepared with a |
| · Make sure that your picnic blanket is | | | | mini-first aid kit (or at least bring some bandaids). |
| large enough for the all that are coming on the | | | | |