Picnic Tips from the Picnic Professor

1. What are the essentials for a successful picnic?

No matter what type of picnic you are planning, whether it is at the beach, in the park or a tailgating party, there are certain things that are always necessary. While there may be certain items that are specific to certain picnics, such as candles at a romantic picnic or a beach towel for a beach picnic, any picnic starts with one certain item: the picnic basket.

Picking out the perfect picnic basket for your occasion is the next step. Some Picnic Baskets are made for picnics for two, while others provide enough space for an entire family meal. Picnicbasket.com has a variety of picnic baskets for 2, picnic baskets for 4, and picnic baskets for 6.

The essential items needed for any picnic include:

• A picnic basket
  
• Food storage containers
  
• Plates/cups/silverware
  
• Napkins/paper towels
  
• Trash bags
  
• Corkscrew
  
• Plenty of water
  
• Condiments
  
• A cooler fully stocked with ice or ice packs
  
• Antibacterial gel
  
• Folding chairs
  
• Cushions or pillows
  
• Folding chairs
  
• Anti-allergy medication
  
• Sunscreen

Always make sure to clean up after yourself. If you bring trash bags, you can always put them back into your picnic basket and dispose of them at home if no on-site trash receptacles are available.

2. What are the best places to go on a picnic? Where can I find a location?

The local park is a classic and relatively safe location for any picnic; however, it’s good to go over local regulations before bringing your picnic basket onto the public property. Most parks don’t require reservations for a simple picnic, however, when planning a larger gathering, it is a good idea to check with the local municipality to see if reservations are required and what is restricted from the park. Some cooking instruments may or may not be allowed in certain areas as well. It is always a good idea to check out the location before planning a picnic there.

Beaches are great venues as well, especially during the summer months. Even your backyard can be a perfect and close spot to put your picnic basket.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind while choosing a picnic location:

• Make sure you are using the correct cooking equipment. Some parks have restrictions and even seasonal fire and camp stove requirements.
• Don’t picnic where you aren’t permitted.
• Remember to take along non perishable food items in your picnic basket.
• Bring along extra safety items such as water, a flashlight, maps and a cell phone or radio.
• Choose a safe location away from areas that might prove hazardous for children
• Don’t litter. Make sure to bring along a trash bag in your picnic basket so you can dispose of any waste.
• If picnicking at a beach, make sure to bring sun block, a beach umbrella and extra blankets. Also, try and set up your picnic basket near some form of wind restraint, such as a rock, so your items don’t end up blowing away.
• If tailgating, make sure to follow the rules of the venue you are at. Some venues do not allow open containers or even have time restrictions for tailgating.
• Make sure you check to see if the park or beach you plan on picnicking at is going to be hosting any activities on the day you plan to attend.
• Always be safe and use common sense.

3. What are the best foods to bring along in my picnic basket?

You can stock your picnic basket with pretty much any food imaginable as long as you take precautions when using perishable food items. When it comes to ease, however, some foods work better than others.

Good examples of foods to put in your picnic basket include cold chicken and beef sandwiches and fruit dishes. Some other dishes don’t work so well. Chicken salad and shredded beef, for example, are much messier dishes and not as easy to serve or store. Apples, grapes, oranges and other fruits make great additions to your picnic basket. Stay away from salads, mayonnaise and other dishes that may spoil easy and spoil your fun as well. It’s best to pack an instant red meet thermometer to monitor food temperature and to remember that perishable foods should not be left out for more than two hours.

4. When is the best time of year to go on a picnic?

It may seem that there is an obvious answer to this question: the summer. However, every season is the right season to take out your picnic basket provided you plan for the occasion.

A summer picnic is most likely the easiest picnic to plan for; however, there are some extra items you may want to include in your picnic basket during the warmest months of the year. Sunscreen and an umbrella or other forms of shade are crucial items that protect you from direct sunlight. Also, it’s important to bring along plenty of water to ward off dehydration, especially if you and your friends are planning any physical activities.

A spring picnic combines the changing of the seasons with a great excuse to get outside and enjoy your friends’ company. Be sure to bring extra blankets and warm clothes, however, since there still is a chance the weather could turn cold close to dusk.

Make sure you pack extra picnic blankets during a fall picnic and you might even want to think of bringing some different, warmer foods. While they may take longer to prepare and need to be handled with more care, some perishable food items that can be cooked on a grill work great during colder months.

Don’t let the winter keep you inside and your picnic basket in the closet. Just as you would plan for a day on the slopes, bundle up and bring any accessories you would need for a few hours in cold weather. Don’t forget to check the weather report, however, and avoid any inclement times. Make sure you remember to bring extra pairs of clothing, including socks, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves just in case the temperature takes a dip. Make sure to bring an insulated lunchbox with comfort foods such as chili, potatoes and hot sandwiches in your picnic basket.

Any time of the year is the perfect time to break out your picnic basket, just make sure you plan in advance for all situations.

5. What extra items can I bring that may make my picnic more fun?

While there are essential items that you should always bring in your picnic basket, there are some extra items you can bring along that can make your day more fun.

Games such as badminton, horseshoes and croquet (if permitted) can easily be set up and can include many players. Bringing a long a football, baseball and mitt, whiffle ball set or other similar items can allow for games to form at a moments notice.

If you’re going tailgating, there are numerous items you can bring along that go beyond the standard picnic basket. Grills, coolers and even televisions go great when getting ready for the big game.

6. Why do I need a picnic basket?

Seems like a simple enough question. Why not just bring along all of your items in a cooler? Why not just put them in a backpack or plastic containers?

For one thing, a quality picnic basket adds a certain level of elegance to your picnic. Whether it is in your backyard or a remote setting, the addition of a picnic basket sets the mood for the day or evening especially with some of the decorative and unique picnic baskets from Picnicbasket.com.

Picnic baskets from Picnicbasket.com already come with silverware, a blanket, dishes and napkins included, making it the perfect all-purpose picnic item.

A picnic just isn’t a true picnic without a picnic basket.

7. What are the best ways to keep pests away from my picnic?

Pests, whether they are mosquitoes, ants or even bears can reduce the amount of fun on any picnic. It’s important to take precautions to ward of any insects and to make sure that food is properly stored in the event you are camping and spending the night in the woods.

Keeping ants away is relatively easy. By using talcum powder, that you can easily store in your picnic basket, and lining it around the outside of wherever you are holding your picnic, you will keep ants at bay. Talcum powder reacts with ants’ senses and they will not cross the white line.

Make sure to pack enough mosquito and bug repellant in your picnic basket. Special candles and tiki lamps come with bug repellant while also adding a certain level of sophistication to your picnic setting. Also be sure to bring benedryl or another type of first aid in case someone in your picnic does get bitten. It’s always a good idea to pack a first aid kit into your picnic basket to be prepared for any emergency situation.

8. What safety precautions should I take on my picnic?

A first aid kit is a must for any picnic basket. You should also bring along a cell phone or radio. Keep in mind, cell phone reception varies in different locations so it’s very important to notify someone outside of your picnic party where you are and when you should be expected home. If you are camping somewhere remote, it may also be a good idea to notify a park ranger or other local municipality as to your location and planned time of departure.

For camping trips that go overnight, it’s imperative you bring proper lighting, mosquito nets and emergency medical supplies. It's a good idea to plan for any and everything that may happen including accidents and broken bones. Make sure to have a plan of exit in case someone in your party may need emergency medical attention. Also, plan on having a map of the area you are picnicking at and know where the closest hospitals are and how to get there and place them somewhere safe from potential rain, such as your picnic basket secured in your tent or vehicle.

You can never be too safe.

9. What is the best way to properly build a campfire?

A campfire can bring not only warmth, but warm fun to any picnic, especially overnight stays. However, campfire safety and campfire construction are important.

The first thing you’ll need is dry fuel. Look for standing dead wood or broken branches first. Make sure it isn’t wet and feels cool to the touch. Two large handfuls of tinder wood or crushed pine needles are needed to start the fire. Use the firewood you already collected and form a teepee or triangle that stand about six inches tall. Place the smaller sticks on the ground to serve as a platform for the firewood. Lean the smallest sticks on the edges of the firewood, leaving a space to face the wind. Light the inside of the tepee. If it’s raining, you can use a cotton ball smeared with Vaseline or ChapStick as a fire starter. There are quick light products that you can purchase prior to leaving and put in your picnic basket to make for an easy campfire set up.

10. What should I remember after my picnic has ended?

Always leave your picnic or camp site as you found it. There are no excuses for leaving behind litter or remnants of the fun that you had. Keep in mind that other people will use your picnic spot or campsite in the future and you wouldn’t want to find trash there for you to pick up, would you?

Bring trash bags in your picnic basket or take notice of where you can legally dispose of trash in a park or campsite.