How to Create The Perfect Food Hamper

Disposable silverware and plates can save time in picnic cleanup.

Inspiration for a picnic menu can come from personal preference or family tradition. Included items do not need to result from elaborate preparation, but merely be stable during transport and under weather conditions. To pack a perfect picnic hamper, put considerable thought into attractive and sturdy food packaging. Baskets with multiple compartments can aid in your efforts to maintain a variety of temperatures to preserve a complex menu. While tuna salad sandwiches and deviled eggs may be considered classic picnic fare, take precautions to keep foods containing mayonnaise chilled.

Things You'll Need

• A container
• Something to put inside
• Homemade products
• Wrapping Paper
• Sticky tape

Instructions

1. Package liquid in containers with reliable seals. Glass canning jars can double as single-serve containers to minimize needed cleanup. Place heavy jars in the bottom of the basket to avoid crushing lighter components.

2. Provide a choice of salads to satisfy every taste when packing for a large crowd. Place the salads in individually-sized containers for easy transportation and serving.

3. Wrap sandwiches in waxed parchment paper to hold the layers in place. The slightly waterproof nature of the waxed paper will protect the bread from some inadvertent exposure to moisture. Seal the wax wrapping with sticky labels that identify the contents.

4. Include a dessert for a sweet finish to the picnic. While cookies are stable and can be easily transported in reusable containers, high-quality chocolate is another delicious option. Keep bars of chocolate from melting on a warm day by slipping an ice pack into the picnic hamper.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to check the dates of all the food that you are sending and all the ingredients you used to make the final product

• Make sure bottles and jars are firmly placed and surrounded by a soft cushion of material so that the glass doesn't break!

References

• "Sunset"; Pack a perfect picnic; Adeena Sussman; May 2009
• "Smallholder"; Top Tips for Perfect Picnics; July 2011