The weather is perfect for a picnic to catch up with your loved ones. You have to do everything right. In order to plan a memorable summer picnic, here are some tips to help you.
Location
Choose the best spot. You may have everything set, but if the spot is wrong, your overall experience might be disappointing. Sometimes a secluded area is better when you need quality time with your family. You don’t want to be in a noisy place with people shouting, do you?
If you have children, book a spot in a park with fun kids’ activities. Kids are always energetic. Don’t carry the burden of keeping them occupied, let the park take over.
Finally, find a shaded spot; if you plan to sit down to eat. Alternatively, bring a canvas shade to protect you from the scorching summer sun.
Traveling Logistics
When planning a summer picnic, find out who will be going for easy planning. For a picnic with friends, let them meet you at a rendezvous point. With family, planning gets more natural, since you’ll all be coming from the same direction (maybe). Take advantage of all the help you can get. Be it cooking, packing, babysitting, or cleaning afterward.
Food and Drinks
It’s summer; light meals and plenty of drinks go hand in hand. Pre-cook your snacks and baby food in advance. Snacks are always better than 3-course meals. They are easier to pack and less messy when eating. Less-perishable store-bought snacks also come in handy. Things like nuts, canned fruits, and cereals that don’t require prior preparation can be a time saver. On the other hand, if you’re planning on a budget, stay away from store-bought goodies. They don’t always go easy on your pocket.
Secondly, if you have a mobile cooler, this is the perfect opportunity to use it. If you don’t, pre-chill your drinks overnight and pack them in airy compartments. Nothing beats a cool drink in the heat of the summer outdoors.
Finally, invest in a few sets of dining mats. You’ll probably end up serving the snacks and fruit combos or your favorite summer desserts on the ground or a rustic looking table. Adding a few table mats makes the setting look inviting. The mats also make cleaning afterward easier, right?
And on that note, remember to carry a few blankets to sit on and shower liners to spread on the ground in case you don’t find a table. Also, don’t forget to carry glasses, plates, bottle openers, pillows, and cutlery. And anything else you might need. The small gadgets are quite useful during picnics.
Sunscreen And Sanitizers
The sun is out, and you don’t want sunburns at the end of the picnic. Sunscreen is inevitable. You will also move around and engage in different activities before finally sitting down to snack. A hand sanitizer takes care of the hygiene. Here are more summer products for you to keep in mind.
Keep It Simple
You are not going away for a month. Just carry the basics, keep it simple and enjoy the moment. Packing is easier when you can see all the items that you intend to carry. Put the bulky items like canvas shades and drink coolers individually in your car boot. Avoid carrying delicate things with you. But if you must, pack them in a separate bag.
Finally, think ahead. If you’ll need to use the blankets first before snacking, put the blankets on top. Otherwise, you’ll have to unpack everything before settling down at your picnic site, and that can be strenuous.
Do You Have A Checklist?
There is nothing worse than carrying blankets, and food only to reach the venue and realize that you forgot the plates. A checklist comes in handy. Write down all the things you will use while on the picnic, from mundane things to important ones.
After you’re done catching up and making merry, tidy up. Don’t ruin the experience for someone else by leaving your litter all over the venue. Lastly, relax and enjoy the picnic. In case you forgot something, don’t beat yourself up over it, use what you have. Summer picnics are great for spending time with loved ones. Don’t waste time worrying about what you did not carry or what went wrong. Have you identified a location yet? Try Asbury Park.
Image credit: Pixabay