The sun is shining, butterflies are flying around, flowers are blooming, and it feels like spring is finally here. There’s no better time to take a break from everyday life. all Would you like to enjoy a picnic in the park? Or even at the beach. Or next to your child’s soccer practice. Or even in your own backyard. We can make this happen anywhere – we promise!
Picnics are having a big moment this spring. People are intentionally making time to use less technology, interact more face-to-face, and romanticize the little things in life. But the truth is, picnics are social gatherings that have been criminally undervalued for far too long. Whether you’re meeting friends, taking a quick lunch break, or going on a breezy weeknight date, all you need is some simple gear to keep your food fresh, your drinks cold, and your butt dry and comfortable.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration to create the perfect picnic, find everything (and more) you need to plan your next picnic anywhere, with anyone, and on any budget.
A picnic in a luxurious park
Maybe you’re celebrating a big occasion, or maybe you’re just getting together for a DIY brunch with the girls. Either way, you can enjoy a luxurious and beautiful picnic in the park. But pro tip: choose a spot that’s not too far from your parking lot so you don’t have to make a huge trip to get everything ready.
Genovega 2 in 1 Extra Large Outdoor Picnic Blanket
Set the stage with an oversized picnic blanket that will keep everyone comfortable. It actually has two layers, which is pretty ingenious. A woven top with a cute bohemian print in four colors and a durable waterproof base. They can be used separately or stacked on top of each other to maximize both form and function.
price: $35.99 on Amazon
folding picnic table with table runner
A tabletop is not required, but it definitely enhances the experience, both literally and figuratively. This gives you a stable foundation for a good place setting and allows you to offer more food and drink options that might otherwise be out of reach. This low-height table is perfect for picnics and comes in a variety of sizes to suit the number of people. Best of all, it’s foldable and has a built-in handle, making it easy to carry.
price: $169.99 (originally $229.99) on Amazon
ONEIDA 24 Seven Melamine Floral Tableware 12 Piece Set
This 12-piece dinnerware set is made from lightweight, shatter-resistant bamboo melamine, making it extremely outdoor-friendly (though it’s also top-rack dishwasher safe, so cleanup is easy). The gorgeous floral set comes with four each of dinner plates, accent plates, and multipurpose bowls, the latter useful for serving dips, spreads, olives, and other small snacks.
price: $34.99 (originally $50) at Lenox
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Set of 2 washable floor pillow cushions
To make the experience even more luxurious, add cushioned seats for your crew. These floor pillows are perfect in so many ways: cute, comfortable, well-cushioned, and easy to carry with the built-in handle. But thanks to the removable and washable cover, you don’t have to worry about using it outdoors.
price: $49.39 for 2 on Amazon
Farberware Build-A-Board Bamboo Cutting Board
What’s a fancy picnic without pork? This natural bamboo tray features a flat cutting board on one side and a slotted compartment on the other, allowing you to prepare and display all with one tool. There’s plenty of room for meat, cheese, fruit, crackers, nuts, and more. It also has a lockable clear lid so you can prepare it at home and take it on the go.
price: $26.99 (originally $33.99) on Amazon
Picnic at Ascot Original Insulated Wine & Cheese Cooler Bag
This insulated backpack cooler is the perfect size to hold two nice bottles of sparkling apple cider. wink wink. (Not that you’ll get pinched for drinking in public, but you’re doing what you have to do!) It also comes with two acrylic glasses, cloth napkins, a corkscrew, a bottle stopper, a cheese knife, and a cute little cutting board for making cheese combinations on the go.
price: $62.95 on Amazon
Have a picnic on a refreshing beach
A picnic at the beach is just like a picnic in the park, except you’re battling sand, wind, and water. That’s right, they’re not that similar after all. Luckily, there are easy swaps you can make, like a better insulated cooler, to enjoy the same beachside snacking experience.
RTIC Ultra Tough Soft Cooler (Sage)
Fill this durable 30 can cooler with drinks and snacks and the contents will stay cold for up to two days. It’s also made to float — just Just in case the tide comes a little closer while you’re taking a post-lunch nap in the sun!
price: $129 on Amazon
Grand Trunk Parasheet Beach Blanket
This durable nylon beach “blanket” is oversized yet super lightweight, making it easy to carry from your car to the shore. There are stakes and corner pockets where you can put sand to prevent it from being blown away by the sea breeze, and the sand on the surface can be easily wiped off to create a clean picnic space in the sun.
price: $39.95 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
neso beach table
Is this lightweight folding beach table a bit of a luxury? Of course. But when you’re enjoying a picnic without the gritty sand condiments and your drinks are still standing upright, it’ll feel pretty precious.
price: $70 on Amazon
For a small city picnic
Escape from the most mundane moments of the day by taking your work friends and having a quick picnic during your lunch break. Even if it’s a park bench along a small green square near an office building. However, you don’t want to carry around a lot of stuff all day long, so the key here is, of course, to be compact, practical and, importantly, cute.
Shredded mini cooler that can be used all day
Stanley lost the cutest one. spring picnic collection I’m obsessed with tumblers and coolers. This mini cooler is perfect for any daycation, but is especially great for a quick lunchtime picnic. It has a storage capacity of 10 cans and will keep your lunch cold for up to 12 hours. It’s also pretty enough that it’s not too obvious that you’re packing snacks to rush out the door when it’s time for a break.
price: $110 at Stanley
matador pocket blanket mini
Is this the most beautiful picnic blanket you’ve ever seen? No, it’s definitely not. (Although that is true teeth (So cute when it all fits in the palm of your hand!) But this is the most compact, lightweight and waterproof “blanket” that turns even the most questionable park bench into a clean, dry and comfortable seat for a picnic in the city. Honestly, it’s priceless.
price: $22 at REI
Bentgo Classic Stackable 3 Compartment Bento Box
Make the most of your mini cooler space with this compact, stackable lunch box. Each tray can be filled with individual meals and can also be used for cooking. Just stack the boxes, grab the tray, and dig in. The downside is that it only comes with one set of cooking utensils, but it’s easy to make. hide another set in your bag.
price: $14.99 (originally $16.99) on Amazon
For a family picnic
Your child’s sports practice is a great time to catch up with fellow soccer moms and dads, so why not enhance the experience with a nice picnic setup? We’re looking for maximum functionality here, so look out for smart gear for small groups.
Insulated rattan picnic basket for 4 people
It has a beautiful woven picnic basket on the outside and a spacious insulated cooler on the inside. This is the perfect companion to stash snacks and drinks for you, your kids, and fellow “soccer moms” during practice. What’s more, the wooden top is actually a freestanding table with foldable legs and a cutout to hold the four included plastic wine glasses. (Of course, these are for Juice while on duty in soccer mom mode!)
price: $54.99 on Amazon
Genovega waterproof picnic blanket
This oversized picnic blanket is super classic with its pretty gingham print, but it’s also super functional for the outdoors and messy kids. The scratch-resistant, waterproof material is lightweight, so you can easily shake off dirt and crumbs when you get home.
price: $26.99 on Amazon
4 tier tiffin lunch box
Tiffin boxes are perfect for stacking snacks during picnics, especially those attended by hungry children. This stainless steel tiffin has four stackable compartments and locks with a secure handle for easy transport.
price: $29.99 on Amazon
Stanley Adventure Fast Flow Water Jug 2G
With this 2-gallon jug from Stanley, hydration is at your disposal and easily accessible. BPA-free, double-walled foam construction keeps drinks cold for up to 13 hours (even longer with ice), and the leak-proof, rugged design is perfect for the outdoors.
price: $55 at Stanley
For a garden party picnic at home
You don’t necessarily have to go far to enjoy al fresco dining. If you have some sort of outdoor space, such as a backyard, porch, or small balcony, you can have a picnic. This is all about aesthetics, so feel free to choose something more luxurious and less portable.
Bridgerton x Williams Sonoma Picnic Basket
This Bridgerton inspired picnic set is absolutely gorgeous. And personally, it’s too expensive to transport further than my own backyard. That’s why it’s the perfect luxury for this purpose. Luckily, there you’ll find everything (minus the food) you need for an intimate garden party picnic date for two, including beautiful hand-woven baskets, embossed ceramic plates, golden flatware, and wine glasses. There are also decorations for wine and cheese and a cute blanket to set the whole scene.
price: $349.95 at Williams Sonoma
The post How to Plan the Perfect Spring Picnic Anywhere, Any Setting appeared first on RetailMeNot’s The Real Deal.
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