The sun is back, temperatures are rising, it’s the time for cosy picnic afternoons and evenings! Whether you are on holiday by the sea, sitting in your garden, picnicking in the middle of a city like London or Vancouver, any time is suitable to organise a picnic. What makes it so ideal? The flexibility and the endless possibilities in terms of food and menus.
Need some inspiration to make your picnic with friends or family a success? Then this article is really for you! Here you will find the complete guide to a cosy, tasty and warm get-together!
Summary
1. Choose the perfect location
The location is essential for a successful picnic. Pick a nice spot, such as a park, forest, beach or just your own garden. Make sure there are facilities like picnic tables, playgrounds or toilets for some extra comfort. Going to a popular public place? Then come early to get a nice spot and get your rug and chairs ready in advance. Here are some ideas for locations and food to go with them:
- A picnic by the sea: Pack canned fish like mackerel, sardines or tuna, along with fish rillettes or pâté, savoury pies, and fresh salads. Add some salty snacks such as crisps, olives or toasted bread for crunch.
- In the mountains: Choose local delicacies like smoked sausage, cured meats, regional cheeses and cold pasta or lentil salads. A chilled soup, such as cucumber and mint or gazpacho, is refreshing in the sun. A flask of tea or a homemade lemonade makes a great addition.
- In the countryside: Serve cold roast beef, ham, pork or chicken with rustic bread, pickles and cheese. Finish with a regional dessert such as cannelés, scones with jam, butter tarts or a slice of sugar pie.
2. Choose the right date based on the weather
A picnic naturally takes place outdoors, so pick a date when the weather cooperates. Check the weather forecast a few days in advance, as it can change quickly.
A picnic in the rain is unfortunate and often impossible. The advantage of a picnic is that it gives you flexibility: a weekday evening, lunch or dinner at the weekend, anything works. Let your friends or family know the date and time as soon as the weather forecast is reasonably reliable.
3. Keep your food cold
If you are out for a whole day and have planned a picnic, it is important to keep your food cool. Coolers come in all kinds: hard, soft and insulated models. The hard cooler is the most efficient and keeps your food cool the longest. They are easier to carry than soft models, although the latter are more practical for short trips.
Open the cooler as little as possible to keep the cold inside. Put them out of the sun and use at least three to four cooling elements for an entire day. For short picnics, an insulated cooler bag is a great solution, but it will not keep food cool for long if you carry the bag with you all day. So choose your cooling solution depending on your plans.
4. Don’t neglect your equipment
For a successful picnic, it is important to have the right equipment on hand. Make sure to bring blankets or picnic blankets for comfortable seating, as well as folding chairs and umbrellas for those who want a little more comfort. Also don’t forget cutlery, plastic plates, cups, napkins and rubbish bags for easy clean-up afterwards. Finally, provide a first-aid kit for minor accidents such as a cut, for example.
5. Provide activities during the picnic
Besides good food and drink, it is nice to provide various activities during the picnic. Provide games and activities for all ages, such as rackets, balls, board games or even a game of football. You can also bring some sports accessories, such as a Frisbee or bocce balls.
If you have a dog, also think about small tennis balls, for example. And if you are organising a picnic with family, think about activities for the kids, such as hide-and-seek, bubble blowing or even a small treasure hunt.
6. Some food and drink ideas for a picnic
- Sandwiches: Make a varied selection of sandwiches with different combinations of meat, cheese, vegetables and sauces. Pack them individually in aluminium foil or plastic bags to keep them fresh.
- Salads: Choose cold salads such as a pasta salad, a quinoa salad or a salad with crunchy vegetables.
- Fresh fruit: Choose fruit that is easy to eat, such as grapes, strawberries, melon wedges or pieces of watermelon. Prepare them in advance and store them in well-sealed containers to keep them fresh.
- Snacks: Provide light snacks such as vegetable sticks with dipping sauce, crisps, crackers, olives or a mix of nuts.
- Refreshing drinks: Choose thirst-quenching drinks such as homemade lemonades, fruit juices, flavoured water, beer, wine or non-alcoholic drinks in cans, for example.
Weezevent offers a practical and intuitive online registration system for organising a picnic. Organisers can easily create an online registration form, which allows participants to register quickly and easily. This greatly simplifies the management of participants and the collection of necessary information for the event.
