Planning the Perfect Picnic

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to pack a picnic and enjoy the beautiful weather. Picnicking is something that you can do if restaurants are closed, while social distancing or you just need to get out of the house. There are many different places you can picnic, for a different experience each time you go. Find your picnic spot, plan your menu, and pack the essentials. If you’re not a frequent picnicker or are in need of some new ideas, here is a list to plan the perfect picnic without leaving anything out!

Find a picnic spot

The location is what sets the scene for the perfect picnic. Whether you’re looking for a quick stop while you’re on-the-go or going somewhere to set up and relax, you really can’t go wrong. Be sure to find out ahead of time if there are picnic tables, if not be sure to pack a blanket. Here are some places that would make the perfect setting for your picnic.

Wineries/Vineyards
Hiking trails
Your backyard
Beaches
Neighborhood parks

plan your menu

Planning your menu is undoubtedly the most important part of planning the ultimate picnic. The easiest options would be food items that don’t need to be kept hot or cold. But if you must, you can always bring ice packs to keep things chilled. My favorite picnic staple is either a homemade or made to order deli sandwich because it seems to be the perfect picnic food. These are only a few ideas of things you could bring for each course. Ultimately, anything that doesn’t need to be temperature controlled will work for your picnic!

Mains

Deli or homemade sandwiches
Wraps
Peanut butter and Jelly
Mason jar salads (dressing at the bottom)

Sides/Snacks

Cured meats and cheese
Veggies and hummus
Trail mix
Fruit
Pretzels
Protein/granola bars

Desserts

Cookies
Brownies
Poundcake
Muffins

pack your necessities

When you are organizing your picnic it is crucial to be prepared. You wouldn’t want to get to your picnic spot and realize you forgot something as important as a wine opener (it is very sad when that happens). A garbage bag and a blanket are usually essentials you wouldn’t want to forget. Here is a list of other things you may want to bring for your picnic.