Summer is almost here, and that means it’s the perfect time brush up on the best picnic essentials. There’s nothing better than a delicious picnic spread on a warm summer evening and this post rounds up all of the best picnic equipment and even some picnic food ideas for two!
Picnics are a past time that have been around for centuries. The exact origin of the word “picnic” is not known, but it is believed to have been first used in the 1600s in France. The French word “pique-nique” referred to a social gathering where each person brought their own food.
In the 1700s and 1800s, picnics grew in popularity among upper class Europeans who would gather in parks and gardens to enjoy a casual meal outdoors. Picnics were also popular with Romantic poets and writers, who saw them as a way to connect with nature and find inspiration for their work. Picnics then became more and more popular in the 1900s as more public spaces were designated as parks and more people had cars and could travel to public outdoor areas!
Now more than ever, disconnecting and finding a beautiful quiet spot to lay out a picnic blanket and enjoy food with friends or family is important! Hopefully this post will inspire you to have a few picnics of your own. And you too can romanticize a gorgeous summer day and have a picnic.
This post is all about picnic essentials!
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Picnic Aesthetic
Imagine a perfectly warm summer evening. You found a quiet spot of grass under a giant tree and the ground is cool. You lay out a beautiful picnic blanket, kick off your shoes, and unpack your picnic basket. As the sun sets you enjoy all the yummy things you’ve packed. After you’ve eaten, you lay on the blanket and gaze up at the sky. It’s almost as if you can feel the earth spinning beneath you. You feel at peace.
Picnics are the perfect way to relax and enjoy nature, and you can have them anywhere there’s a patch of clean grass! From your backyard to public parks to campgrounds to university campuses, picnics can be held anywhere!
What else characterizes the perfect picnic? Here are a few ideas:
- Blankets and pillows
- Simple yet delicious food
- No-fuss decor and utensils
- Comfortable and breezy attire
- Technology-free entertainment and games
Picnic Essentials
So now that we’ve set the stage, what exactly are picnic essentials? There are a few important things you make sure that you want to pack that are both pretty and practical! Below you’ll find a list as well as some of my favorite basket, blanket, and picnic set options.
- Picnic basket
- Picnic blanket
- Plates, cups, napkins, and utensils
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellant
- Trash bags
- Simple games and cards
- Small speaker
- Hand wipes or baby wipes
Picnic Basket, Picnic Blanket, and Picnic Set Options
A picnic basket is a no-brainer, and although you can just use a cooler, a picnic basket is a beautiful way to beautify your experience! Picnic blankets are a little bit different than normal blankets as many of them have one side that is waterproof. The last thing you want is for damp grass to soak though your blanket! And how fun are these darling picnic sets! Either you can use disposable plates, cups, and utensils; or you can invest in a set just for picnics! I am in love with all of these options!
Basket with white eyelet liner | Basket with leather straps | Green and white blanket | Blue and white blanket | Insulated canvas bag | Woven blanket | Utensil set | Striped picnic basket set
Fun Things to Bring to a Picnic
Now that we’ve covered all of the essentials, what else can you bring to make your picnic even more dreamy?
- Outdoor games. Take time to disconnect from your phone and social media and pack your favorite outdoor game like ladder ball, croquet, or badminton.
- Your favorite book or magazine. Picnics are the perfect time to start a new book or casually flip through your favorite magazine.
- Art supplies or coloring books. Destress by painting or drawing the sunset or color a few designs in adult coloring books!
- Crocheting, knitting, or needlepoint projects. Nothing says traditional like working on a craft project at your picnic.
- Disposable camera. Put away your smartphone and instead snap a few pictures with a disposable camera.
- Fairy lights. Make your picnic feel even more special with a string of battery-operated fairy lights.
What to Pack for a Picnic for Two
Food is arguably the most important and fun part of any picnic, here’s a lineup of my favorite go-to foods to make and pack for picnics with my husband. All of these would be absolutely perfect for your next picnic!
- Pasta salad: Pasta salad is a great option for picnics because it can be made in advance and doesn’t require heating. You can add vegetables, meats, cheeses, or any other ingredients you like.
- Fruit salad: A refreshing and healthy option for picnics is a fruit salad. You can use a variety of fruits like strawberries, blueberries, grapes, mangoes, and pineapples. My favorite fruit salad is watermelon, raspberries, and blackberries with lime juice, mint, and honey.
- Chips, veggies, and dips: Chips and dips are a convenient snack to bring on a picnic. You can make your own dip or bring store-bought ones like salsa, hummus, or guacamole. Trader Joes has great dip options!
- Charcuterie: Another classic picnic food is cheese, meat, and crackers. My favorite charcuterie combination is parmesan with salami and rosemary crackers!
- Lemonade or iced tea: Bring some refreshing drinks like lemonade or iced tea. My favorite is mint lemonade! I get the lemonade from Trader Joes and add my own mint!
- Cookies, brownies, or lemon bars: For dessert, these are simple but delicious options that are easy to transport and share. Here’s my favorite sourdough chocolate chip cookie recipe!
I hope you enjoyed this post all about picnic essentials, and I hope you are inspired to pack your own picnic! Ciao!
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