The sun is shining and the birds are singing. Who wants to spend any time inside?
It’s time to pack up those winter coats and dust off your picnic blankets. Here are our tips for making the best of your sunshine:
Location, location, location
The old adage doesn’t just refer to house hunting. Be sure to carefully select your spot. Pick a spot that’s ideal for the company you’re with. Pick a sunny spot if you’ve got sunscreen and it’s not too hot. Pick a spot in the shade if it’s a hot day and you don’t want too much sun. Are there going to be children there? Make sure the area you’re in isn’t too close to a busy street so you don’t have to worry about anyone running off into trouble. Make sure you have blankets in case the ground is moist or muddy – soggy pants rarely accompany a happy afternoon!
Great spots in New York (other than Central Park) include Astoria Park, East River Park and Prospect Park. Why not make a day out of it and go explore?
Photo credit: Travel & Leisure, Best Picnic spots (Brooklyn overlooking Manhattan)
Accessories
The food is often the centerpiece and so other useful items can often be forgotten. A sun umbrella, sunscreen, hat, ice, and a wine key (oh yes! Otherwise you’ll be forced to use a shoe, gah!) are essential if it’s a hot day. And remember to pack a few blankets for the ground and as well as to snuggle up just in case the weather turns a little chilly.
Photo Credit: The Kitchn, How to Open a Bottle of Wine with a Shoe
Know the size of your party
If you have lots of people joining you, little bites and finger food are a great option. They’re also easier to dig into since you don’t have to worry about cutlery – leaving more space to bring food! Some ideas include: mini pizzas (served room temp), cubes of melon with prosciutto on a toothpick, pasta salad, cheese & crackers, and watermelon are some of our favorite menu items.
Single-bite prosciutto and melon skewers
Entertainment
You can’t have a proper picnic without an activity. Bring a frisbee or a board game to fill the post meal lull. And if you’re seriously equipped, bring a bluetooth speaker so you can play some tunes in the background.
Bluetooth music player
Don’t forget dessert!
Make sure you have something sweet to end your picnic with. One of our favorites is Strawberry shortcake. You can make everything in advance, and make your “sandwiches” on the spot. Bring your strawberries (and mint) mixture, the whipped cream, and your biscuits. You can even cut them into small bite sized portions. Perfect and easy to hand to your crowd, plus a delicious toast to the start of summer.
Strawberry shortcake
