When the warm weather comes along, one of the best things to do with your family or friends is to pack up a bag of your favorite foods, head out to somewhere beautiful, and enjoy a picnic together, basking in the glow of the summer sun and feeling at one with nature as you share a special moment with your nearest and dearest.
People have been enjoying picnics for many years, and they’re still just as popular now as they were in the past, but in order to truly enjoy a picnic, you have to prepare for it properly. There are a surprising number of things that can go wrong on a picnic, from bugs getting in your desserts to rain or strong winds making it almost impossible to sit down and eat in peace. This guide will cover some top tips to help out.
Watch the Weather
Obviously, one of the big factors that can effectively make or break a picnic is the weather. Ideally, you want to be able to sit peacefully and enjoy the summer sun, without any rain, snow, or cold winds ruining the experience.
This is why July is the official picnic month for the US, and it’s always why you won’t see many people planning a picnic in December. However, even in summer, the weather can be unpredictable, so make sure to keep a close eye on the forecast.
Finding the Right Spot
Finding the right spot is a key skill to master if you want to plan the perfect picnics. Most people will head to places like beaches, parks, and natural hotspots to enjoy a picnic, and this is one of the best ways to enjoy the experience. However, you have to be careful when it comes to finding a spot to sit.
Ideally, you want to find a place that has a little shelter to reduce the risk of wind coming along and blowing your food away, but you don’t want to go deep among bushes and trees, as the odds of bugs will be a lot higher. A good option is to invest in a canopy tent for picnics, as this will help you enjoy the shade and protect you from the wind in almost any spot you choose.
Make it Green
More and more people are thinking about the environment these days and doing what they can to try and help out to preserve the planet for future generations. If you’re out enjoying nature on your picnic, it makes sense that you should try to treat it with respect, so why not make your picnic as eco-friendly as possible?
Opting for enamel plates and other eco-friendly picnic accessories is a fine way to start, as these items are much greener than disposable or plastic plates and cutlery. You can also try to minimize the amount of plastic packaging you bring along by investing in reusable water bottles, as well as always being sure to leave no waste behind when the picnic is over.
Avoid Messy Foods
You have to be very careful with the foods you choose to pack on your picnic and try to think ahead, imagining how easy or difficult it might be to eat certain foods out in the open air, without immediate access to sinks and faucets to clean up afterward.
Try to avoid messy foods, like meals that are covered in sauce or desserts with lots of liquid or frosting. These foods might be tasty, but if you have to keep stopping what you’re doing to clean the kids’ faces and mop up spillages, the picnic will be much less fun for all involved.
Choose Food That’s Easy to Pick Up
So what sort of food should you be bringing along? Well, since you’ll probably be doing a lot of eating with your hands, it’s a good idea to choose foods that are easy to pick up without getting in a mess.
Examples of this might be fruits and veggies on skewers, corn on the cob, chicken drumsticks, sandwiches, and so on. You can even check out finger food recipes online and find some fresh ideas to try out for your picnic.
Here is a full guide to deep-frying a whole chicken
Final Word
These are just a few of the best ways to plan a perfect picnic, and it’s also important to remember to pack lots of napkins, cleaning wipes, and, of course, the blankets for everybody to sit on too. With proper planning and careful preparation, you can have the best possible picnic with your family.
Emily Smith is a talented content writer, wielding words to create captivating stories and informative articles across a wide range of topics. With a passion for effective communication and a love for research, Emily consistently produces engaging and valuable content. She’s dedicated to conveying ideas clearly and compellingly, making her a sought-after voice in the digital sphere. When not writing, Emily enjoys immersing herself in art, nature, and culinary adventures for fresh bursts of creativity.
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