There is no one-size-fits-all strategy to organizing the perfect picnic. The weather, the number of attendees, the cost, and even dietary considerations all play a role in the decisions you must make.
Because of this, it is imperative that you plan ahead, which is why we have put together this guide. Read on to find out how to plan the perfect picnic for summer 2022.
How big will be your picnic be and who will be coming?
It is amazing how little attention is devoted to estimating the approximate number of persons who will attend a picnic. This seemingly insignificant feature, however, has repercussions for a slew of other aspects of the picnic. In addition to jotting down a preliminary list of attendees, you should also note any specific needs they may have.
Of course, if it is a romantic picnic a Deux with your partner or an informal one with your children, this requires little to no thoughts, but anything else will require some careful consideration.
People with mobility impairments, for example, may necessitate a more careful venue selection. Are there going to be children there? You need to find a way to entertain them and have somewhere to hand for them to go to the toilet. Are dogs coming? Is the place suitable for them? These may seem insignificant issues but can make or break a picnic.
Have you got the equipment you need for a successful picnic?
Food and a place to eat outside are all you need for a picnic. However, when you use the word “picnic,” our brains immediately conjure up images of idyllic meals. No, if you want the perfect picnic, you will have to put in a little more work. To make your picnic even more pleasurable and easy to plan, you will want to stock up on the right essentials.
Some of the things that you may need include:
- A picnic basket or backpack
- Cooler
- Blankets
- Platters and Serving Plates
- Napkins, wipes, and trash bags
As you can see, putting together the perfect picnic does not necessitate a lot of specialized gear. By having these stashed away in your garage or basement, it is easy to head out for a picnic whenever you feel like it, and you can pick up food supplies as you go.
What foods will you be taking on your picnic?
Get this wrong, and everything else would have been done in vain. You can manage without almost everything else, but if you mess up the food, there is no picnic. What foods you take with you are limited by only your imagination. You could plan it around on a particular cuisine, choose old favourites or try something a bit different. As a general rule of thumb, make sure that it is easy to eat finger foods that transport well and does not create too much mess – handwashing facilities may be limited. For example, nice sandwiches, chips and dips, freshly cut fruit and delicious super soft and cakey homemade Lofthouse cookies are all ideal.
Don’t forget the drinks
How well you know your picnic guests will help you decide what type of beverages to bring. In most cases, you will find yourself going on romantic picnics or with a small group of your closest friends and relatives. As a result, you can make educated guesses about what the other party prefers to drink and stock your cooler accordingly. Tea or coffee aficionados, soda or fruit juice fans, or perhaps a stronger beverage is more to their taste. Always bring additional sodas, fruit juices, and water to events as these are drinks that everyone will appreciate.
Entertainment
Spending time eating outdoors with family and friends is all the entertainment that some people need, but others, particularly children, need something else to keep them amused and entertained.
Some music is always a good idea. Everyone has smartphones these days, and they are easy to connect to portable USB or Bluetooth speakers. Just be aware of your surroundings and be careful not to disturb people with loud or inappropriate music.
Card games, simple board games and outdoor toys such as frisbees, kites and balls always go down well too, no matter how old the guests are. Show us an adult who can resist a game of cards or try flying a kite!
Cleaning up
This is a relatively straightforward one. Because the individuals who came before you were considerate enough to clean up after themselves, you have had the perfect picnic. As such, leave the location as you found it, or better yet, better than you found it.
This is a contributed post.