How to Create a Memorial Day Picnic Checklist

Memorial Day is often one of the most fun and laid-back days of the year. The holiday weekend is a popular time to host barbecues and picnics. You can save yourself time by creating a checklist for your Memorial Day picnic. The checklist you create can help you organize the preparations you need to complete and keep stress from ruining your fun.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Begin by selecting a circle of acquaintances who know each other, such as coworkers or neighbors, to invite to your Memorial Day picnic. You can invite them in person, via email or through an online invitation system with easy electronic RSVPs. This will help you ensure that you purchase enough food.

2. Identify the food that you need to buy for your Memorial Day picnic. You may want to create a separate shopping list that includes the snacks, beverages and entrees you will be serving. While sandwiches are commonly served at picnics, you can purchase fresh food from specialty stores and grocery stores.

3. Add utensils to your checklist. If you choose to serve food that is eaten with forks and spoons, such as salads, sauces and soups, you and your guests will need the right utensils. You may also need corkscrews or bottle openers depending on the beverages you will be serving at your Memorial Day picnic.

4. Prepare a few different activities for your guests to enjoy at your Memorial Day picnic so that no one is left out of the fun. If you will be playing sports or cards, you will need to bring the appropriate equipment to your picnic. Add these as individual items to the checklist you create to remind you to shop for them or find them in your home.

5. Differentiate between the items you need to purchase for your Memorial Day picnic and those that you already have in your home. You may already have paper plates, napkins, sunscreen and playing cards in your home. Create two sections of your checklist, or two separate checklists, so that you do not end up purchasing products you own.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to purchase plastic dishes and utensils for your Memorial Day picnic instead of using your regular dishes and silverware. You can dispose of these items immediately after using them instead of cleaning them prior to taking them home.