1. Bring along a basic first aid kit.
Eating outdoors just introduces a whole host of potential issues: bug bites, sunburns, scrapes, bruises, etc. Here’s what I always make sure to pack along with the food (Note to the FTC and whoever else cares – many of the links below are affiliate links.):
Sunscreen (I have an all natural brand; but check out this post for how you canuse essential oil to do the same thing!) lavender essential oil)
betadine cream for bruises and the like
Band-Aids
Bug Spray
2. Pack a blanket or tarp.
If there’s a picnic table at your destination, this might not be necessary. Then again, it might be. You never know! We have a very basic picnic tarp-like blanket that is designed to be outdoors and has weights on the corners to keep it from blowing in the wind. You could also use an old sheet or blanket that you have lying around, of course.
3. Don’t forget the utensils!
I can’t tell you how many times I arrived at our picnic spot only to realize I forgot either the spoons, the forks, or a knife. So now it’s the first thing I think about! Even if you pack an entire spread of finger foods, just be on the safe side and pack a complete set (fork, spoon, knife) just in case.
4. No more boring picnic food!
Not being a huge fan of sandwiches, I’m always trying to think outside the box for creative picnic food ideas. I’ve compiled a list of picnic food options for you to consider, or you can check out the following articles:
Whole Foods has a whole bunch of ideas for you in every category… including dessert!
This compilation by Eating Well is more geared toward BBQ’s, but has some great ideas for picnicking as well.
And Woman’s Day brings us “Perfect Picnic Foods“.
If there’s a picnic table at your destination, this might not be necessary. Then again, it might be. You never know! We have a very basic picnic tarp-like blanket that is designed to be outdoors and has weights on the corners to keep it from blowing in the wind. You could also use an old sheet or blanket that you have lying around, of course.
3. Don’t forget the utensils!
I can’t tell you how many times I arrived at our picnic spot only to realize I forgot either the spoons, the forks, or a knife. So now it’s the first thing I think about! Even if you pack an entire spread of finger foods, just be on the safe side and pack a complete set (fork, spoon, knife) just in case.
4. No more boring picnic food!
Not being a huge fan of sandwiches, I’m always trying to think outside the box for creative picnic food ideas. I’ve compiled a list of picnic food options for you to consider, or you can check out the following articles:
Whole Foods has a whole bunch of ideas for you in every category… including dessert!
This compilation by Eating Well is more geared toward BBQ’s, but has some great ideas for picnicking as well.
And Woman’s Day brings us “Perfect Picnic Foods“.
5. Bring your picnic on wheels.
I probably wouldn’t even know such a thing as this existed – and I certainly wouldn’t put it on my top 5 picnic tips must-haves list! – if it weren’t for the fact that I picked one up at a yard sale for a ridiculously low price… and now find that I can’t live without our rolling cooler! This Rolling Cooler on Amazon is very much like the one we have, including the mesh pockets on the side that are perfect for the aforementioned first aid items. Ours also has a zippered pocket in front that’s perfect for paper plates, napkins, and utensils. There’s even enough space in the cooler to shove our picnic tarp, so our entire collection of picnic supplies fits into one convenient rolling case, which, incidentally, can even be pulled by our Certain Little Someone (who feels very proud of himself whenever he’s put in charge of it). I call that a total win-win!
What’s your perfect picnic tip?
I probably wouldn’t even know such a thing as this existed – and I certainly wouldn’t put it on my top 5 picnic tips must-haves list! – if it weren’t for the fact that I picked one up at a yard sale for a ridiculously low price… and now find that I can’t live without our rolling cooler! This Rolling Cooler on Amazon is very much like the one we have, including the mesh pockets on the side that are perfect for the aforementioned first aid items. Ours also has a zippered pocket in front that’s perfect for paper plates, napkins, and utensils. There’s even enough space in the cooler to shove our picnic tarp, so our entire collection of picnic supplies fits into one convenient rolling case, which, incidentally, can even be pulled by our Certain Little Someone (who feels very proud of himself whenever he’s put in charge of it). I call that a total win-win!
What’s your perfect picnic tip?
No comments:
Post a Comment