Picnics are a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors, but they can quickly become frustrating if you forget the essentials. After all, you can’t just run inside the house to grab what you need. A good packing list will help you stay organized and allow you to be prepared for any situation that may arise.
Picnic Essentials
You can’t have a picnic without something to carry all of your stuff in. A basket or tote is essential. An actual basket is romantic, while a good quality canvas tote can hold a lot of weight. When hiking, choose a backpack, and remember a cooler for all of the cold items.
Depending on where you have your picnic, you’ll need something to sit on. A waterproof picnic blanket is especially nice when hiking, but foldable chairs are ideal for simply relaxing in a park. If you don’t have picnic tables, you might need a camping or card table.
Serving Pieces
Plates, napkins, cups, and utensils are a must. Consider actual china and silverware when preparing a romantic picnic for two. Rely on your paper plates and plastic utensils at all other times. These items can be purchased in a coordinating theme, and they are simply thrown away when you are finished.
A cutting board can serve double duty as a workspace as well as a serving piece. Always bring a knife along for cheese and bread. And if you’re planning on bringing drinks such as wine, don’t forget the bottle opener.
However, if you want to save time and still enjoy great treats, you can have picnic gifts delivered.
Clean-Up
Outdoor spaces are beautiful, and you want to leave them that way for others to enjoy. Trash bags allow you to throw away used paper plates, packaging, and other garbage. Don’t forget some empty plastic containers or zip lock bags for dirty dishes and leftovers. Paper towels and wipes make it easy to clean off tables and wash hands. Even something as simple as a dishtowel can be useful. It can work as packing material to hold essentials in place, as a hot pad under main dishes during the meal, and then use it to wipe off chairs, tables, and other items before heading home.
Additional Items
In addition to food and serving pieces, there are several things you’ll appreciate having that will provide comfort. Hats and sunscreens are important when spending hours outdoors. Insect repellent will keep bothersome pests away, and a flashlight is important for late afternoon picnics that may last well into the evening. Don’t forget the games, as well as the fun. Pack a frisbee, balls, bubbles, and water guns that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Keep this list on hand as you plan and prepare for your next picnic. It will ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy a relaxing and wonderful day outdoors.
