Going on a picnic is a nice way to spend time with friends outdoors. From parks, to the beach and even your own backyard. Picnics create a fun atmosphere to enjoy the company of others. The pictures I have chosen below are truly swoon worthy and I hope you try to recreate them.
There are many components to planning a picnic:
- Location
- Food & Drinks
- Set-Up
- The People
Location:
The location will definitely depend on what is available to you. For example, having a picnic by the beach will be only accessible if you are by a body of water. It’s also important to remember that the beach does not have to be by the ocean but can be by a lake or river. So if you want to recreate some of these picnics, do not feel limited. Does this place have grass or tables you can use? Having a flat surface to sit on will make sure that you do not have to worry about drinks tipping over. Is there a nice view on a hill and are you ok sitting on an angled or slanted surface? These are a couple of things to consider when picking the location of the event.
Here are some places to host a picnic:
- A Park
- A Hike
- A Beach
- A Lake
- A Dock
- In your backyard
- Local university
Food & Drinks:
Food and drinks are the fun part! An easy option is a charcuterie board and this option requires no utensils so less things to pack. Another option is just bringing pizza. Everyone loves pizza and this way, you won’t need to worry about cooking or preparing food. A good rule of thumb is picking finger food like pastries and sandwiches.
For drinks, it will depend on what the group wants. Keep in mind open alcohol laws if you decide to partake. You may choose to bring individually packaged drinks in bottles and cans or bring a large drink and cute cups to use. Bringing cute cups is very aesthetic and picture worthy. Bringing fancy wine glasses does not mean you have to bring wine. You can drink sparkling water, lemonade, or fruit punch! Whatever is ideal to you and your guests.
The Set Up:
Basket / bag
The picnic basket is very iconic and functional. However you can use anything that is convenient to carry your food and drinks. A cooler is a great choice that will keep both your food and drinks cool. There are more options now than just the standard picnic basket. There are now picnic backpacks which are a great option for a picnic hike and frees your hands from a basket.
Props will depend on the location and the atmosphere you want to create. The classic picnic is using a picnic table or a picnic blanket to eat on the ground. Lately there has been a trend to use wooden pallets or short wooden tables and they are a game changer! The difficult part is figuring out where to buy the materials for that. So for now, we will discuss picnic blanket options.
Blanket / Base
When deciding what blanket is appropriate for this event, think about what the grounded surface will be. If you are planning on sitting on grass, it will be important to know whether the grass is going to be wet or not. The grass can be wet due to the rain the night before or morning of, as well as from a sprinkler that regularly waters the grass.
Another circumstance is if the ground is going to be sandy or ‘dirty’ (like on dirt). Normal blankets will pick up the sand in the fibers and that is not fun. In both cases, I recommend using a blanket with a water resistant back. The top part where you sit should be soft and not plastic-y. Remember not all grass will be wet, and in those cases it would be safe to bring any blanket you do not mind getting dirty.
Many of these pictures look like the blankets are not water resistant, but they do look great. If you want to achieve this look but the ground is damp or sandy, use a water resistant blanket as a base and then style on top with a cute blanket. I recommend this technique whether the ground is wet or not because it provides another barrier between you and the ground. Not only will it keep the top blanket clean, but it can also help those that have allergies by not having direct contact with the grass. The water resistant blankets are also very lightweight and can compact into a little bag so you will not even notice carrying the extra blanket.
Utensils and Surfaces
The next thing to think about is where the food is going to be served. Will you be eating out of the packages that the food came in? Because that is absolutely ok! Not everyone has the time or the money to have specific picnic plates or serving platters. You can still have an amazing picnic without those things.
However, if you do, here are some ideas to give you inspiration.
- White plates: You can never go wrong with a classic white plate. It says “classic” and will make your food stand out in pictures.
- Cutting board: CHARCUTERIE!!! Charcuterie boards look so good because of their base. If you do not like charcuterie, that is fine! You can put pastries, pizza, fruit and anything you want.
- Cups and Glasses: Wine glasses are so aesthetic for a picnic, however, you do need to be careful with transportation when it comes to wine glasses. *Keep in mind that you can put any drink in your glass. Plastic cups, you will not need to worry about breaking or cracking so that is an alternative for you. An easy way to avoid the need for cups is to buy cans of whatever beverage of your choosing.
- Napkins / Paper towel: Do not forget them. Not as glamorous as the above but a necessity.
Other props:
Additional props that are not necessary but will add to the overall experience.
Games
Bringing games is always a great choice because it creates a bonding experience between you and your guests. It can also make the time pass by and create new memories. Some games that I suggest are cards, spike ball, corn hole and frisbee. There are so many card games nowadays like cards against humanity or the classic uno.
Bug Spray / Covers
Bugs can be annoying when trying to enjoy a picnic. So bringing bug spray or some type of repellant will make your guests thank you. There are also food covers in the market that will keep those pesky bugs out of your food so that you do not need to worry.
Hand Wipes / Sanitizer
Depending on your location, chances are you may not have access to a bathroom with soap. Park bathrooms run out of soap so easily. So having hand wipes or hand sanitizer available is ideal. If you have kids or messy friends, I recommend hand wipes all the way! Hand wipes provide a way for people to wipe away the dirty and whatever else is present. Personally, I bring hand wipes to the beach or on hike because those are the highest chances or dirt needing to come off. But for most picnics, hand sanitizer is sufficient and does the job.
The People / Guests:
This happens to be an easy part. Invite whoever you want!
Picnics are a fun opportunity to invite people you are close to and not so close to. For close friends, it will be a great hangout and will not need to worry about lulls. Inviting a friend that you would like to hangout with in a group setting will bring a bond.
If people happen to be busy, there is nothing wrong with having a picnic by yourself and enjoying the view or reading a book on a nice day.
