| PICNIC IDEAS, HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS |
| Did you know that July is a National Picnic Month? What better reason do you need to head to that special picnic spot and enjoy the day with family or friends and a tasty picnic lunch. |
| The word "picnic" comes from the French "pique-nique" , meaning a gathering where each member brings something to eat. Perhaps that is how the potluck got started. Many picnics are a form of potluck since it is not uncommon for each invited guest to bring a side dish. |
Location, Location, Location. With a little planning, friends and
family, good food, and the right location, the picnic experience can be
a memorable occasion. Choose a location appropriate for the
occasion. A picnic can be held almost anywhere. It is the situation
that dictates where. Consider how long your picnic is going to last;
you will want to be where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings for
an extended length of time. Just a few of the many places to consider
when you want to have that special picnic with your family or significant
other: a park, the beach, an outdoor concert or festival, a lake or
stream, your own backyard, a local winery (many encourage picnics
and have set aside tables or areas exclusively for your picnic), a rest
area while traveling or a secluded meadow.
family, good food, and the right location, the picnic experience can be
a memorable occasion. Choose a location appropriate for the
occasion. A picnic can be held almost anywhere. It is the situation
that dictates where. Consider how long your picnic is going to last;
you will want to be where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings for
an extended length of time. Just a few of the many places to consider
when you want to have that special picnic with your family or significant
other: a park, the beach, an outdoor concert or festival, a lake or
stream, your own backyard, a local winery (many encourage picnics
and have set aside tables or areas exclusively for your picnic), a rest
area while traveling or a secluded meadow.
| What could be more romantic than an intimate picnic in a secluded meadow? |
Make sure that you have
packed everything that you will
need for the picnic. Once you
are at your destination and
realize you have forgotten
something, well, it's too late.
That is the importance of a
picnic checklist
packed everything that you will
need for the picnic. Once you
are at your destination and
realize you have forgotten
something, well, it's too late.
That is the importance of a
picnic checklist
When packing condiments for your picnic, try this helpful hint: During
the winter months, save the individual condiment packets (mustard,
ketchup, relish, onions, etc.) you pick up at your favorite fast food
restaurant. When spring time comes and you are "biting at the bit" to
go on the first picnic of the year, you will have all the condiments you
need without the hassle of packing each into individual containers.
the winter months, save the individual condiment packets (mustard,
ketchup, relish, onions, etc.) you pick up at your favorite fast food
restaurant. When spring time comes and you are "biting at the bit" to
go on the first picnic of the year, you will have all the condiments you
need without the hassle of packing each into individual containers.
| The key to stress-free picnics is to pack easily prepared foods. |
There are literally thousands of
picnic recipes available on line and
we recommend the following site for
a variety of picnic delights: Recipes
picnic recipes available on line and
we recommend the following site for
a variety of picnic delights: Recipes
BE PREPARED!
If you are using a
blanket for your picnic,
you might want to
consider packing a
plastic tarp to place
under that blanket
should the ground be
wet or damp. The tarp
can be hosed off when
you get home and
folded up for your next
picnic.
If you are using a
blanket for your picnic,
you might want to
consider packing a
plastic tarp to place
under that blanket
should the ground be
wet or damp. The tarp
can be hosed off when
you get home and
folded up for your next
picnic.
| Don't want to sit on the ground? |
Instead of filling your
coolers with fast melting
crushed ice to keep
foods chilled, fill a shallow
plastic container with
water, freeze, and break
in to chunks. Place the
ice into plastic zip bags
and drain the water as
the ice melts.
coolers with fast melting
crushed ice to keep
foods chilled, fill a shallow
plastic container with
water, freeze, and break
in to chunks. Place the
ice into plastic zip bags
and drain the water as
the ice melts.
CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION!
| The most important safety hint we can offer is to make sure that you keep cold at all times any mayonnaise based foods. They can easily spoil and cause you to become seriously ill. |
| Having a backyard picnic or a backyard barbecue? |
Here is a helpful hint to keep you from running
back and forth to the house to get the
refrigerated foods: Fill the bottom four inches
of a child's wading pool with crushed ice.
Foods like salads, eggs,desserts, and
condiments can be placed directly on the ice to
be kept chilled. Drain off the water as the ice
melts and add more ice as needed. A word of
precaution, however; don't let the food stay out
longer than two hours (one hour if the
temperature is above 90). This time frame
should be more than long enough to feed
everyone in the group.
back and forth to the house to get the
refrigerated foods: Fill the bottom four inches
of a child's wading pool with crushed ice.
Foods like salads, eggs,desserts, and
condiments can be placed directly on the ice to
be kept chilled. Drain off the water as the ice
melts and add more ice as needed. A word of
precaution, however; don't let the food stay out
longer than two hours (one hour if the
temperature is above 90). This time frame
should be more than long enough to feed
everyone in the group.
| Picnics with your children are special occasions and help build "MEMORIES IN THE WALL". |
The picnic tote is a
convenient alternative to
the picnic basket. Easy
to carry to that "out of the
way place" like the
beach. Except for
perishables you can keep
the Tote packed and
ready to go.
convenient alternative to
the picnic basket. Easy
to carry to that "out of the
way place" like the
beach. Except for
perishables you can keep
the Tote packed and
ready to go.
| Ideas for Planning a Picnic. From Picnic Supplies and Accessories to Outdoor Cooking Tips. |
Whether your picnic is an
intimate meal for two or for a
large gathering such as a
family reunion or a company
picnic, the basics of planning
the picnic are the same
intimate meal for two or for a
large gathering such as a
family reunion or a company
picnic, the basics of planning
the picnic are the same
As you plan your
picnic, don't hesitate
to ask family and
friends to help. After
all, a picnic is usually
a casual occasion
and when everyone
pitches in.....it builds
lasting memories for
all
picnic, don't hesitate
to ask family and
friends to help. After
all, a picnic is usually
a casual occasion
and when everyone
pitches in.....it builds
lasting memories for
all
Making up a picnic kit and having it
ready to go at a moment's notice will
enable you to follow up on those
"spur of the moment" picnic ideas.
ready to go at a moment's notice will
enable you to follow up on those
"spur of the moment" picnic ideas.
Here is another useful alternative. If you are the type that
prefers to be off the ground, a portable folding table with
seats that hold up to four adults and fits conveniently in
the trunk of the car is one item you will be glad you
brought with you. Not only is it great for picnics, but you
will also find it extremely handy as an extra table for the
backyard, for tailgate parties, as a serving table, for the
RV, or as a game table, The uses for the Folding
Picnic Table are endless
prefers to be off the ground, a portable folding table with
seats that hold up to four adults and fits conveniently in
the trunk of the car is one item you will be glad you
brought with you. Not only is it great for picnics, but you
will also find it extremely handy as an extra table for the
backyard, for tailgate parties, as a serving table, for the
RV, or as a game table, The uses for the Folding
Picnic Table are endless
Remember to plan some activities or
bring along some outdoor games. A
picnic is more than just about the
food. Planning age appropriate
games and activities encourages your
guests to interact with others and
becomes a great way to meet new
friends.
bring along some outdoor games. A
picnic is more than just about the
food. Planning age appropriate
games and activities encourages your
guests to interact with others and
becomes a great way to meet new
friends.
Picnic games
Sun? Rain? Wind?
Have a Plan
Remember!
Ideas for picnics are virtually endless when you consider that every outdoor
meal is a Picnic. From backyard family picnics to large company picnics
the basic ingredients are the same: Good Food, Good Company, and Good
Times. A simple picnic lunch when camping or in your RV can be as
memorable as a romantic picnic on a secluded beach.
meal is a Picnic. From backyard family picnics to large company picnics
the basic ingredients are the same: Good Food, Good Company, and Good
Times. A simple picnic lunch when camping or in your RV can be as
memorable as a romantic picnic on a secluded beach.
Need Help?
| The Perfect Picnic Accessory |
| When it is time to set the table for that outdoor meal, the Picnic Placemat is the ideal Picnic Tableware accessory. |
Helpful Hint
if you don't want to go
through the trouble of
bringing along a tarp,
the picnic blanket will
be what you need.
through the trouble of
bringing along a tarp,
the picnic blanket will
be what you need.
| Treasure those memories of that special picnic. |
| Scattered throughout this page are many hints, tips, facts, and suggestions pertaining to the Picnic. We invite you to explore this page and the links on the left for topics of interest regarding outdoor activities |
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