Summer Entertaining: Planning The Perfect Picnic

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Plan a Portable Menu:

Picnics are the perfect excuse for no-fuss entertaining. Make things easy on yourself by going for classic comfort foods that your guests will love. Aim for hand-held recipes that can be left out at room temperature, so you don’t have to worry about lugging extra equipment. Consider hearty sandwiches, chips, and dessert bars to feed a big crowd. For a more romantic feel, try crackers, cheese, and decadent truffles – and don’t forget the wine. If you need summer recipe ideas, look here!

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Pack With a Goal in Mind:

A wicker basket, though lovely, is not a requirement. Consider using two carrying containers when packing: one for food and another for accessories like a blanket, nets to protect your food from insects, and sun screen, if necessary. When storing food, try to make the meal items as self-contained as possible for easy serving. Use single-serving Tupperware or consider getting some disposable to-go containers. As you pack everything up, try to leave the items you know you’ll need first on top of the bag to avoid having to set anything directly on the ground. Remember to pack something to hold your trash once you’ve finished. 

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Set Up Your Spot:

You can choose whatever spot your heart desires, just make sure it works for your group. If you have anyone with mobility issues, feel free to ditch the ground and find a picnic table. If you plan to be out for hours, try to seek some shade from a tree. Once you’ve found your perfect spot, lay down enough blankets or tablecloths for everyone to spread out. Think about putting down a few pillows for people to lounge on. Spread out the food so that everyone has a chance to take their fill.

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Break Out the Activities:

A picnic is as much about socializing as it is about eating. While some groups are content to just chat amongst themselves, others need a bit more stimuli. A deck of cards will work great for smaller groups. If you’re in charge of keeping a herd of kids occupied, a soccer ball or a football is a great way to have them run off some of that boundless energy. For big groups, consider breaking that bocce or croquet set out from the back of the garage.

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The best tip we can give is to tailor your picnic to your friends and family. If you can’t stand the thought of potato salad without mayo, there’s no shame in swapping the basket for a cooler. If you love the thought of picnicking, but don’t want to sit on the ground, throw a few foldable chairs in the trunk. As long as you get outside to enjoy this lovely weather you’re doing summer entertaining right.

What are some of your favorite summer picnic tips to share?

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