How To Plan The Perfect Picnic For International Picnic Day
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International Picnic Day is on June 18th and it's not just one of those celebration days that you might randomly discovers on you Instagram timeline, such as “National Hot Dog Day,” “National French Toast Day,” or “National Cheese Day”—although these are always fun to celebrate. While the exact origins and history of International Picnic Day are unknown, there is speculation it started after the French Revolution.
Either way, this day is celebrated in numerous cities around the world! In France, the word “pique-nique,” is a term used to express when people would gather to eat but always with wine. (But really, what is a picnic without some wine?) Of course, all types of beverages are welcome at a picnic, but International Picnic Day is meant to be a day of basking in nature and enjoying a tasty meal with your family and friends.
Plan Your Perfect Picnic
In honor of International Picnic Day and as another way to enjoy a beautiful summer day, here are some ideas, items, and tips to plan the perfect picnic on June 18th.
Pick Your Ideal Location
Picking the ideal location for your picnic is one of the best parts of the planning process. Sure, you can search near and far (and maybe find a brand new spot), but the most ideal locations would be a local beach, lake, or a park with a lot of green grass to place your picnic blanket. If you’re open to it, you can even plan a cute picnic in your front yard! Depending on who is going to attend, finding a location that is accessible for you and your guests can be a great starting point. When you arrive at your location, don’t forget to consider where the sun will be throughout the day. You might not want to be directly in the sun or under a whole lot of trees, either.
Pro Tip: Find a spot that is near the bathrooms (but not too close) for easy access throughout the day. Also, bring some extra tissue paper in case the toilets do not have any!
Check the Weather
This might sound like a no-brainer, but checking the weather is essential to planning the perfect picnic. While a picnic under the sun would be much more enjoyable, a few clouds shouldn't stop you! Ideally, try to plan for a day when the weather is mild and the sky is clear. I think the only weather that could cancel your picnic would be some heavy rain.
However, it is understandable if you live in an area where the weather seems to be very unpredictable. For that reason, the best rule of thumb would be to dress accordingly. You can always bring a large umbrella, canopy, or half-tent for some extra coverage. Whichever you decide to use depends on how many guests, but either can be useful for the perfect picnic!.
Pro Tip: If you know you get cold easily, bring a small comfy blanket to cover up with when it begins to get chilly!
Be Sure to Pack the Essentials
Having the perfect picnic is not successful without the essentials. So, what are the essentials?
Perfect Picnic Essentials
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Picnic Blanket
The most important item to pack is—obviously—a blanket. The picnic blanket is your table and you could even describe it as your couch and chairs for the day, too! Using a wide, square-shaped blanket will be the most comfortable choice. Amazon has so many options that are layered and waterproof, which are perfect for any spills!
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Picnic Basket
Yes, a picnic basket! It wouldn’t be a picnic without one (just kidding!). Picnic baskets provide a great aesthetic and are extremely useful since they will be carrying most of the essentials to enjoy your outdoor meal. Even better, the majority of baskets already come with plates, cups, and eating utensils. However, there are practically endless options to choose from, so pick the one best suited for your needs, such as the classic wicker baskets 0r even a picnic backpack.
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Picnic Basket Cooler
There are also hybrid versions that serve as coolers, making this the perfect choice for a hot, summer day. (It can also double as a great beach bag.) If you don’t want to buy a full picnic basket, feel free to use a cooler and reusable bags to bring all of your eating utensils.
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Eco-Friendly Utensils
Utensils are essential to the picnic because…well, how else would you eat? Again, while the classic wicker picnic baskets usually have their own matching set of spoons, forks, and knives, you may want to consider buying a large pack of your own biodegradable utensils, depending on how many people are coming. Not only are these utensils disposable and can be thrown away sustainably, you do not have to worry about losing any, and it’s another way to be eco-friendly and prevent plastic waste.
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Wine Tumblers & Wine Bottle
“Cheers!” Am I right? Cups are an essential addition to planning the perfect picnic, as well as a way to enjoy all of your tasty beverages if they are not already prepackaged. Imagine bringing a fantastic bottle of white wine and then realizing you forgot the cups! There are so many options that could work for your picnic, but make sure to avoid breakable glass! Why not be like the French and bring a set that not only has stemless glasses, but also an insulated wine bottle to keep your favorite vino at the perfect temperature?
Food & Beverage
Enjoy your picnic to the max with delicious food and beverages of your choice. Keep the food simple so that it doesn’t get too messy or require a lot of work to eat. The best option is to bring food that you can eat with your hands and that can also be eaten cold.
Try this: Homemade sandwiches or a tasty charcuterie plate with savory cheeses, meats, and dried fruits. You can always buy food from your favorite restaurant before arriving at your location as well. But don’t forget to bring your favorite snacks to share!
the Other Must-Haves for Your Picnic
When eating outdoors, there are some other “must-haves” to have a smooth day! Here is a quick list of other specific items that can be easily forgotten.
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Napkins & Paper Towels
Keep your hands and face clean with napkins while outdoors. Besides, paper towels will be necessary for the spills or food accidents that are bound to happen. Swap out your traditional roll for another compostable and eco-friendly bamboo napkin option.
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Bluetooth Speaker
Bring a Bluetooth speaker to play some good tunes and to keep the good vibes going during your picnic! (But make sure to keep the sound at a reasonable level if others are nearby as to not disturb their picnic.)
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Garbage Bags
Garbage bags are essential and one of the items that are most easily forgotten (until you need them). It is a simple way to clean as you go during the day and separate the trash and recycling. These biodegradable bags are even made from corn!
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Glass Food Containers
These glass containers are great to bring when you have to pack any leftovers after your picnic. While some of your food may already be packed in containers, but you can always bring extras to save for later.
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Citronella Candles
Being outdoors during summer brings out more bugs than usual. Keep the bugs away with any citronella candles or bug spray to fully enjoy your picnic. This will also keep you and your guests comfortable throughout the day!
These tips are not just for International Picnic Day, but any time that you want to get creative and gather with friends. Picnics are a great way to not only save money on expensive brunches or dinners, but also to get in touch with nature and spend time soaking up the vitamin D from the sun’s rays. Happy International Picnic Day!
