Pack Your Elegant ( But Practical ) Summer Picnic
It’s my first summer in England, and I want to take advantage of this heat wave.
Often when people think about England, they think of the rain. But yet, I have been here for 3 months now and it has been hotter than I could have ever imagined.
Furthermore, due to majority of the homes being made from brick… It tends to feel a bit like an oven inside of the house when the temperatures are reaching these high degrees.
So, I picked up a picnic basket from Amazon. Grabbed Paul, and headed to wide green and open space to have a wee picnic.
Although this spread and this set up is a bit modest, remember, I have just moved to England, and am in a process of re-building.
With saying that, here are a few things that I am looking to rebuild & be a part of my picnic basket collection. I love having these things on hand, and at the ready… As again, when the weather & spontaneity strikes, you want to be able to have these things on hand so you can get to picnicking!
Frozen Water Bottles
The most important thing to remember when eating outside is to keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Even though ice packs can do the job, frozen bottles of water can do even more. After the ice cubes melt and everyone has eaten, you'll have cold drinks for everyone.
Corkscrew/Bottle Opener
If you're bringing bottles of wine, beer, or soda, don't forget to pack a corkscrew with a bottle opener. (You get extra points if you also bring sturdy plastic cups with flat bottoms.)
Wet Wipes
Even if there is no running water nearby, pre-moistened wipes will keep hands clean and help clean up sticky spills.
Salt & Pepper
A small amount of Salt and Pepper Seasoning goes a long way toward making your picnic feel more thoughtful, especially if you're eating pasta or starches that can often be bland.
Paper Towels
You never know when a big mess is going to happen. And unlike a stack of napkins, a roll of paper towels won't blow away.
A Tray
If you're eating on the ground, a lightweight plastic or enamel tray will keep drinks from spilling.
Serving Spoons
Cutlery is important, but don't forget to bring at least one or two large spoons to serve food. I feel this is one that is always forgotten.
Folding Knife
A small knife that folds up is useful for many things and is a must if you're serving charcuterie.
Cutting Board
If you're making sandwiches or slicing fruit or cheese, you might also want a lightweight cutting board.
Garbage Bags
Put one or two garbage bags in your bag so it's easy to clean up after the picnic. Even if there are a lot of trash cans nearby, having your own bag will save you from having to walk back and forth to get rid of everything. Or if you live in England like I do, and everyone is at the park taking advantage of the sunshine, the bins are often full and therefore you need to take your garbage with you.
What do you think of these items? Do you feel like you now have everything in addition to your picnic basket?
Let me know what you add to your picnics below.
