Here’s how to deal with wind, bugs, wet grass and other things that can put a damper on an otherwise lovely meal in the park.
Almost everyone loves eating outside, but a really good picnic is made in the details. Follow these easy steps to ensure that yours is delightful and not an uncomfortable meal in a park.
1. Location, location, location
First and foremost, be sure to choose your destination for the features that you most need and want. Do you need a grill? Do you need easy access for an elderly guest? Will you need picnic tables or do you prefer to sit on the ground? If there are kids, what are the play options and what are the safety hazards? Does the destination have adequate bathroom facilities, or at least a fast-food outlet nearby? Or, if you opt for a wilderness destination, will your picnic attendees be comfortable with roughing it? Once you have chosen your location, you can use the following tips to suit the spot.
2. Keep it dry
If you are planning to have your picnic on the grass, avoid dampening your experience by using a shower curtain liner under your picnic blanket. Even on a sunny day the ground might be wet — either from morning dew or earlier showers. Shower curtain liners are inexpensive and can be picked up in almost any dollar store, and they are reusable.
3. Muffin tin magic
Muffin tins and liners can help make your picnic a piece of cake. To avoid carrying multiple bottles and jars, you can place condiments in a muffin tin and wrap with plastic, according to nanny.net.
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Muffin or cupcake paper liners can be used to prevent bugs from bathing in your individual libation. Just place the liner upside down over the mouth of your cup, punch a hole in it, insert a straw and you’re set — bugs won’t be able to find their way into the cup.
4. Mason jars
Mason jars are a convenient, spill-proof way to transport foods and work especially well for salads and pastas. According to soloreads.com, with a little care, you can layer all the ingredients in the jars without worrying the food might become soggy. (Put the dressing or sauces on the bottom.) When you get to your picnic destination, you can empty the jar into a bowl, and you’re set!
5. Use frozen bottles of water as ice packs
Instead of using bags of ice in your cooler, which can making reaching for the cold food messy and kind of gross, consider using frozen bottles of water instead. (Tip: Empty a little bit of water from the bottle before freezing to avoid explosions.) Added benefit: On a hot day, when the water begins to melt you can drink it.
6. No-blow picnic tablecloth
This is a trick that my mom used to use: a fitted sheet, usually a twin sheet will suffice, that hugs the corners of the table. If the sheet is still too big for the table, you can use clothespins to make the sheet tighter. Alternatively, you can always use rocks to hold down the corners.
7. Make meal kits
Consider packing your picnic lunches individually in brown paper bags, then fold the opening down. Run the handle of the cutlery along the fold, then clip the tip with a clothes pin.
“Everyone will have their self-contained meal kit, and you won’t have to wrestle with a mass of heavy silverware at the bottom of your basket,” according to nanny.net.
You can also personalize each bag. For this to work, you have to know your guests’ tastes, food restrictions (allergies, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.) and the amount of food that makes sense. Pack food that doesn’t seep through paper, or use plastic containers instead.
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