Picnic season is now in full swing! We love to picnic and eat outdoors and do so at every opportunity whether it be at home in the garden or a picnic in the park, sporting event, beach or even an outdoors lunch break!
Essentially my ideal picnic contains first and foremost the company of friends & family, a pretty location, somewhere to sit whether it be rug, bench, or deckchair and some good food and drink. Whether you spend hours preparing gastronomic picnic dishes or you simply shop for convenience food to take with you, I believe that great packaging and a little style can make a picnic that little bit extra-special and memorable! We have a huge collection of pretty picnic items within the Shop. Here are a few ideas and tips to pack up the perfect picnic!
Syney Picnic
Disposable, and biodegradable packaging and tableware is my preference to plastic containers, not only does it look more attractive but is practical, lightweight and can be disposed of immediately.
100 Layer Cake
Either pack a few separate dishes for everyone to share or perhaps put together little individual lunch boxes each containing lunch for one!
Colourful egg cartons and berry baskets make great containers for summer berries, and other soft fruit like apricots and plums, egg boxes make the obvious carrier for hard boiled eggs!
Jul's Kitchen
Don't forget the drinks! Take individual cold drinks in jars or bottles meaning no need for cups, add ice to the drinks before-hand to keep them cool. Jars are also great for carrying salads, desserts and dressings.
Martha Stewart
If you take larger bottles or wine, fold a tablecloth into a useful carrier, instructions here!
For cooler days and evenings hot drinks are essential for the perfect picnic. Think hot cider or mulled wine for autumn days or take coffee with an extra flask of warm milk or hot chocolate with a can of whipping cream.
Picnic food does not have to be cold. A big flask of soup will prove a very popular alternative to a cold spread on a cooler or windy day, offer pots of steaming soup and chunks of fresh bread for a simple and delicious picnic lunch.
Desserts are often a forgotten part of picnics or a last thought. Individual desserts in little pots with lids are very practical and are sure to be a big hit!
Whenever possible try to pack a small light-weight chopping board and some cutlery. The chopping board can also serve as a makeshift serving area and a table to set down drinks. Other useful things are napkins, a bottle opener and corkscrew, salt and pepper, and a bag for rubbish is essential. A picnic blanket is obviously the traditional seat of choice but I prefer to take large tablecloths, or flat-sheets as these take up less room and wash well. Hammam and Fouta Towels are also great picnic rugs as they are particularly light weight, If you use a table to eat at they also make a pretty tablecloth and double up as a wrap on chilly evenings.
We hope you enjoy eating out with your family and friends this spring. Have fun creating picnics that are a little extra special by adding your own individual touches and style.
Pretty Little party Shop have a whole host of products for pretty and practical picnics this spring.
Images uncredited are from Pinterest