Six essentials for easy-breezy spring picnics
Picnicking has been around since the 18th century and this long tradition of dining outdoors continues today. There's nothing quite like a spring picnic when romance is in the air or when families are getting together to share a few laughs over good food and drinks.
Times have changed and picnics have evolved into modern social events. Even tennis fans enjoy sitting on a checkered blanket at the Wimbledon grounds on the day of the championship while snacking on scones while sipping champagne or the like.
Whether you lay your picnic blanket down in your backyard, on a hillside, at the beach or in a park, here are some picnic essentials that will make your outing a success.
Choose a Picnic Blanket
The true art of picnicking requires a blanket for the ground. Of course you could toss any kind of fabric down, but why not do it in the proper way?
Consider your blanket real estate, so to speak, before choosing the right picnic blanket. The Portland Picnic Society has some good advice for this when it seems like there are endless areas to picnic in your city or town. When you're sitting on your picnic blanket, you need room to stretch out and get comfy, so the experts at Portland Picnic Society recommend 9-square feet of blanket space per person.
Bring along a vinyl tablecloth or tarp, and place it underneath your blanket if the ground is damp to avoid soaking your clothes as you sit and eat or buy a water-repellent, puncture-resistant blanket for picnics that comes with weighted corners and sand pockets for windy days.
Always Bring Sunscreen
Yes, sunscreen is a must, especially when having fun in the sun. Even if your picnic is located under a tall tree offering amazing shade, you can still get burned by the sun if you spend a few hours outdoors.
Annie Chiu, MD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist of The Derm Institute in North Redondo Beach, California, suggests wearing non-greasy body and facial sunscreens to a picnic. Chiu's favorites include the Elta 46 UV Clear, "an incredibly lightweight, non-greasy SPF that layers well with moisturizers and makeup."
She also recommends the Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF 50, a feather-light formula with broad coverage and antioxidants.
Really any sunscreen will do, the important thing is to remember to bring it with you and reapply it liberally every few hours to avoid getting too much sun.
Pack Some Kind of Bug Repellent
Let's face it, there's nothing more annoying at a picnic than unwanted guests that fly around your food and drinks. Forget about lighting up the citronella candles or the strong fumes you smell after spraying bug spray.
The Fly Repellent Fan by Shooaway keeps flies and bugs away safely in an eco-friendly manner. This battery-run device features a light-weight, odor-free fan you place on top of your picnic blanket to keep flies from dive-bombing your food. Its well-placed blades rotate safely and quietly to keep your picnic fly free and quiet.
Bring Along a Picnic Basket
If you're seeking an old-fashioned picnic experience, then a big, modern wicker basket is all you need. The large Wicker Picnic Basket for Four by HappyPicnic is exquisite in size and appearance and ideal for picnics including romantic outings, outdoor parties, concerts, road trips and camping.
Inside, you’ll find four sets of stainless steel flatware (fork, spoon and knife), four ceramic plates, four wine glasses, one stainless steel waiter's corkscrew with a handle, and four matching, military green/khaki check cotton napkins.
Also included is a green, soft-fleece picnic blanket.
Choose the Perfect Picnic Beverage
When it comes to a lovely spring picnic, you want a beverage that delights the palate and pairs well with picnic foods like sandwiches, cold pasta, cheeses, potato salad, berries, and more.
One option is the gorgeous pink wine known as rosé, and experts list three among the finest for picnic dining at Wimbledon or your own backyard. These include Mirabeau Classic, Mirabeau Pure, and Mirabeau Etoile.
Vegan picnic dishes, including any kind of vegetable, also go well with a great rosé wine.
No Picnic is Finished Without a Vaporizer
Where would a modern-day picnic be without the ultimate vaporizer to deliver the tastiest and best vapor around?
The updated Volcano Hybrid sits perfectly on your picnic blanket allowing you to fill as many bags as you please. All you need to do is push the button or freely draw from the whip at your own pace.
This vaporizer can elevate the picnic experience no matter where your travels take you. With touch sensors and bluetooth control, you can customize pump times and fan speed, and best of all, the vaporizer heats up in barely a minute. What more could you ask for?
Picnicking is Easy
At the end of the day, deciding to host a picnic or heading to your local park for a quick dinner outside isn’t difficult. You don’t need much to put together an amazing get together for you, your family, or friends. As long as you have food, a place to relax, and good company, you’ll be happy you set out to picnic instead of staying in.