How to Plan the Perfect Picnic

Planning a great picnic is not so much about flawless food and drink and wonderful weather. The word picnic originated from the French, meaning "pick a thing of little importance." It might be as well to remember that! A happy picnic is about comfort, ease and good company. Picnics can be formal affairs, with tables, chairs and vases of flowers on the table, or you could just sit on a blanket on the ground. Plan the perfect picnic around the following suggestions to make your special event a breeze.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Sunscreen
• Finger food
• An appropriate sized cooler
• Insect repellent
• Easy to make drink
• Paper utensils

1. Carry a cooler or food chest that is appropriate in size for the number of people that you are inviting. If it is a picnic for two do not carry a large food chest. If it is a large group do not try to stuff all the picnic items into one small cooler.

2. Choose a sheltered picnic area with chairs and tables. Your guests will thank you, especially if there is a drizzle.

3. Tote paper plates and cups instead of cumbersome ceramic dishes and heavy cutlery. This will prevent broken cutlery and dish washing.

4. Buy finger foods from the deli that will make you and your guests happy. Try cherry tomatoes, cold roast chicken that you can tear off the bone, boiled eggs, organic candy bars. Think simple. Picnics are supposed to be stress free.

5. Make an easy to put together drink. Sweet tea is easy to mix and can be carried easily in a big plastic bottle.

6. Bring a large can of insect repellent for everyone to share.

7. Take a bottle of sunscreen for everyone to slather on. Sunburns are not comfortable!

Tips & Warnings

• A small, light CD player with soothing music makes your food digest nicely.

• Moist towelettes keep everyone cool and fresh.

• Invest in a pre-packed picnic basket that holds everything but the kitchen sink.