How to plan the perfect picnic
Alyssa Webb
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: How To Guide
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It has proved to be quite the feat to venture outdoors without freezing or being drenched as of late, but soon enough the clouds will stop dripping and the sun will start shining. By then you will be ready to grab your picnic basket and companions and enjoy a spring day free of Michigan dreariness.
The elements to a perfect picnic are as simple as they are flexible.
Pals
A picnic can be multi-themed. It could be a post-date stargazing tryst atop a grassy hillside or a family-oriented afternoon outing. Maybe it is a friendly get together complete with an afternoon dip in the park lake. The guest list possibilities are various. Even if you prefer alone time you can pack up a small snack, a long book and your canine companion for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. The guest lists are as flexible as the themes.
Basket
Arguably this is not incredibly central to the picnic, but it happens to be fun. The Web site picnic-basket.com features several types of stylish baskets, from wicker to the wickedly modern. There is also mats and chairs for purchase. Some are a little pricey, but if you become a picnic addict, the basket will eventually pay for itself.
Beverage
Again, a very wide range of possibilities surround the picnic-goers. A 2-liter of Coke or Pepsi is as acceptable as a box of Capri Suns (remember those?!). Maybe your guests prefer a bottle of wine or a cooler of beer. Lemonade is another common picnic beverage, but put a new twist on it. Some restaurants make homemade Strawberry Lemonade. If you muddle several strawberries, add a dash of bar syrup, and add in fresh squeezed lemonade you'll have a tasty spin on an old favorite. For carbonation, add soda water or Sprite.
Food
The reason you are having the picnic in the first place. There are many different items that can be on your picnic menu. It may be preferred to keep them as finger foods. You do not want to be cutting up a steak and a baked potato on a plate while sitting on some grass.
A ham and cheese wrap with toothpicks is a simple, easy snack that is quick to prepare. If you prefer a little bit more spice in your life, I recommend a wonderful recipe from about.com for a Ham Wraps Recipe. Blend cream cheese, sour cream, sweet onion, chives, and garlic powder together into a mixture until smooth. Then, spread your cheese mixture onto ham slices. For some reason I have an unyielding taste for boiled ham, but brown sugar ham is also great. Roll the ham slices into logs. Refrigerate the logs for at least an hour. You can cut the ham wraps into thirds for serving as an entree or into 1-inch thick spirals to serve as an appetizer. If you have a particularly favorite sandwich recipe to use, do it. Cut the sandwich into triangles or strips for serving.
Chips are also a favorite (and necessity). Tortilla chips and salsa, or potato chips and French onion dip are both tasty options. Some people might avoid the dip because of bugs, but I say go for it. Do not forget desserts! Cookies are a must but for a more health-friendly approach, watermelon and other naturally sweet fruits make a perfect treat.
Odds and Ends
Games: A deck of cards, a favorite board game or even a set of trivia questions can be entertaining for the whole group.
Décor: A nice blanket to sit on is a given, but flowers or candles can also spruce up your outdoor meal to give it a feel all its own.
The necessities we so often forget: Utensils! Forks, Knives, Plates and Napkins. It is amazing the little things that slip our minds.
Bug repellent: This is a must if you are having an evening picnic. Make sure you keep the spray away from the food! If you are a naturalist, citronella candles are a perfect addition to the picnic party.
A picnic is up to interpretation. You may hate everything that was just mentioned above, or have your own take on how to do something and that is okay! It's your picnic and it is malleable to your desires. Enjoy!
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