Planning a Fancy Picnic

Having a fancy picnic can be easier than you think, you just have to pay attention to some important details. The things that are most important are making sure that you prepare special food, use interesting tableware, pick an exceptional location, and get the timing just right.

Fancy Picnic Food

When deciding which foods to bring, keep in mind that it is all about the details. Pick food that either has meaning or is special or that is rare and you do not have often. Here are some ideas to get your creativity going:

• Meats – Focus on meat that you can eat without utensils. Think along the lines of cream-cheese-filled deli rolls, salami from your local butcher, or chilled shrimp flavored with lime and chili.
• Bread – You can’t beat a french baguette. You could also try a pre-sliced mini-loaf or go to the local baker and find something special.
• Cheese – Choose cheeses that are firm like sharp cheddar. Don’t forget the wooden cutting board and pretty knife.
• Fruit – Again stick to finger foods. Grapes are a classic choice. Pre-sliced apples are a good too as are strawberries, blueberries, cherries, olives… you get the idea.
• Drinks – Wine is an easy choice to make your picnic feel special. If you have a favorite wine, get that. If you do not know wine, pick a pinot noir in the $10 – 20 range, you can’t go wrong with that. If you do not like red, then chardonnay is a good choice. Other than wine, water is a nice choice especially when served on ice from a decanter. Iced tea and lemonade are also good ideas and either one can be served with slices of lemon.

Picnic Supplies

Similar to setting a table, with an elaborate picnic think about layers. Start with a waterproof blanket, followed by a woven blanket in a plaid or check print. A table cloth could be used in place of a blanket. Remember to add cloth napkins. Extra cloth napkins can be used to wrap food items. Plastic stemware, real flatware, and porcelain or melamine dinner plates all work well for a special picnic. If you are bringing along a bottle of wine, remember to take an opener with you. We have a favorite opener in the shape of a mermaid that we like to use. Presentation is a large part of the experience.

Location

A nice view, a concert in the park, a spot at the lake, river or vineyard (if you are lucky enough to have one nearby), or somewhere that has meaning would all be an ideal backdrop for a nice picnic. However, you don’t  necessarily have to go far away to enjoy your picnic. A secluded spot in the backyard could also work well.

Perfect Timing

In order to really enjoy the experience the weather should be pleasant and the temperature must be comfortable. If it is too hot you’ll likely be sweating and if it is too cold you may end up shivering. On a cooler day maybe you could choose a spot in the sunshine and if it is a little warm, find some dappled shade.

Time of day can influence the style of your picnic. To make it fancy, just add more details.

• Morning – Coffee and muffins at the river are a great start. Maybe bring along a french press and thermos of hot water and brew your coffee while you picnic.
• Noon – Summertime picnics under a shade tree sound ideal. Contact local restaurants and see if they will put together a picnic meal for you.
• Evening – Timing your picnic around sunset is a great choice… bring along an extra blanket if it tends to cool off quickly in your area. A location with a view always makes the experience more interesting. You may want to bring along your camera since sunset is a wonderful time of day to take pictures.

Remember the Details

Picnics can be a nice way to share time with someone you care about. They can also be a great way to celebrate a special occasion. Making the extra effort to plan ahead and thinking about the details can turn an ordinary picnic into something special. The food you choose, the tableware that you use, and the timing and location are all important factors to consider. These little details all add up to make your picnic an experience to remember.