Picnic Perfection: Easy Tips For a Stylish Outing

Photo by Calvin Shelwell on Unsplash

Spring is right around the corner, and with it comes picnic season. Plan the perfect outdoor meal in style with these essential picnic tips.

Picture this: it’s a sunny day, the temperatures are warm. Birds are chirping as you look up into the trees, and while your gaze is up, the sun is filtering through the leaves and hitting your face. You smile and look down at your gorgeous spread on your picnic blanket.

Spring brings warm temperatures, and with that comes the season of dining outdoors. I know in the Hudson Valley, picnic season is much anticipated as all of us upstate New Yorkers are eager to get out and defrost from the long, gray winter.

If you’re looking for ways to host the perfect picnic, check out these tips:

Start With a Theme

Choosing a theme can encompass everything from the food you choose to pack, the decor you might want to include, to the outfits you choose to wear. You can really go as all out as you want! Here are some theme ideas:

Spring Favorites – incorporate local fresh produce, wear your favorite spring outfit
Blooms and Baked Goods – sweet treats, flowers, make-your-own bouquets
Brews and Books – iced coffee, pastries, and reading with friends
An Italian Summer – Aperol spritz, a cheese board with figs, flowy sundresses
Fourth of July – lemonade, classic American foods, wear red, white, and blue

Choose Your Location

Where are you planning on having a picnic? There are so many great spots to enjoy the outdoors and picnic. Particularly in the Hudson Valley, one of my favorite locations to picnic is Chadwick Lake Park in Newburgh (note that you need a pass if you are planning on visiting!). Here are ideas of where to host your picnic:

The beach (if you’re lucky and live near one!)
A public park or garden
A state park or preserve
Museum or historic site grounds (in the Hudson Valley, there are so many historic mansions that have awesome outdoor space for picnicking, like Olana State Historic Site)
In your yard, on a back deck, or patio (who says you have to leave the house to picnic!)
Hiking trails
The back of your car for a car picnic!

What’s on the Menu

It’s best when packing a picnic to focus on dishes that can be consumed cold. Especially if you might not have the option to heat otherwise (because a dish that’s supposed to be warm is just the worst when it turns cold).

Greek/ Mediterranean

As I mentioned at the start, you can easily build your menu around a particular theme or cuisine. An easy menu to run with is Mediterranean/ Greek-inspired. Particularly for picnics, there are great Greek-inspired options that can be easily transported. Pack hummus with pita chips and veggies for dipping, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and grape leaves for delicious finger-foods. If you’re looking for more of an entree, pack gyro wraps, Greek salad, orzo salad, or cucumber salad.

Italian

Another simple idea is Italian inspired cuisine. Craft a charcuterie board with meats (prosciutto, salami) and a variety of cheeses. You can also add focaccia bread, olives, marinated artichokes, bite-sized bruschetta, and melon wrapped in prosciutto. For more of an entree, pasta salad with pesto, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella would be a flavorful addition. Don’t forget the supplies for an Aperol spritz, or simply bring a bottle of your favorite red wine. For dessert, pack fresh cannoli!

American

For an American themed picnic (perfect for Memorial Day weekend or the Fourth of July) it’s fun to pack chicken salad wraps, macaroni salad, potato salad, coleslaw, cornbread, fruit salad, sliced watermelon or deviled eggs. Buffalo chicken dip and variety of cheeses with crackers and chips would be scrumptious as well. To drink, lemonade, beer, or iced tea are refreshing options. And for dessert, homemade rice krispies treats, brownies, or chocolate chip cookies are the perfect conclusion.

Just Desserts

To keep things super simple, plan a picnic that is just desserts! Pastries, a cake, or pie are best enjoyed outside. Pair with an iced coffee or latte.

Plan a Fun Activity

This can be something so simple, like playing cards, or throwing a football or frisbee! If you’re really trying to elevate your picnic experience, you could make-your-own bouquets, work on coloring pages with friends, scrapbook, read a book, or knit. Planning something to do on your picnic outing is a fun way to elevate the experience.

Gather Your Supplies

To pack a successful picnic, you’re of course going to need supplies. Check out this list for picnic essentials and stylish options for your outing:

Picnic basket – an absolute essential for a picnic. Amazon has so many gorgeous and functional options for picnic baskets. If you are looking for just a basket this option from Amazon is great, I gifted it to my mom for Christmas. To help keep your lunch cold, check out this option—it also comes with everything you need, including a picnic blanket, plates, utensils, reusable napkins, and glasses.
Picnic blanket – for something that screams spring, this gorgeous floral picnic blanket from Target is a nice option, made from 100% recycled polyester. The size is 60 x 50 inches, and comes with a handle for carrying. Note that it is hand wash only. This whimsical blanket from Etsy is so eye-catching, especially because you can customize it with your last name (bonus, it would make an awesome gift!). It is 50 x 60 inches, and made of cotton (note, cotton may be more prone to stains).
Cooler – this simple cooler tote from Natural Life adds a pop of color to your setup and is easy to transport. Or opt for a Polarbox which gives a bit of vintage flair.
Trash bags, wet wipes or hand sanitizer, disposable plates, napkins, and utensils – all to make cleanup a breeze!
Umbrella – especially if you’re at the beach, you’ll want an umbrella to protect you from those UV rays. Sand Cloud has a gorgeous sunflower patterned umbrella, that can be washed in warm soapy water and is made with 100% recycled pique canopy fabric. The umbrella also comes with a matching canvas carry bag.
Portable chairs – for more retro vibes, these foldable chairs from Amazon are stylish compared to your typical lawn chair and fold up easily for transport.

Cheers to warmer weather and outdoor meals!
-Olivia

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