Planning a Themed Picnic

Introduction

Summer is here, and what better time than now to start planning for the ultimate summer activity—the themed picnic. Depending on your taste and preferences, a themed picnic can be suited to a number of occasions. If you compose one half a supremely quirky couple, you might very well want to throw a picnic party for your wedding. If you prefer to stay away from crowds on the Fourth of July, it can turn into an intimate family celebration. But whatever else you do, always be sure to consider the following before you host your picnic.

Weather

There is no such thing as a fun picnic on a rainy day. Same goes with wind, hail, thunderstorms, and high smog days. Planning any outdoor event is risky, so be prepared to reschedule should Mother Nature get in the way of your festivities.

Transport

Make sure all relevant automobiles are in working order. To carry on with your chosen theme, find a matching designer bag to carry utensils, dinner plates, and other picnic essentials to the location. Aft you car all, you can always use another designer bag in your collection.

Protection

It’s all fun and games until your fair-skinned cousin gets sunburned or your child turns into a tick magnet. Fortunately, these factors are simple enough to control. If you are hosting an outdoor event, you need to consider the comfort of your guests above all else. To prevent moisture from soaking into the table cloths, lay down a protective barrier like a tarp or, in a pinch, corrugated cardboard. Be sure to provide chairs for older participants who may have difficulty standing up after sitting on the ground. Provide umbrellas and sunscreen if the day is hot, and look into the wide variety of vermin-repelling technologies that are available.

Décor

While outdoor gatherings are inevitably less formal than their indoor counterparts, that’s no reason to skimp when it comes to décor. Find cute, inexpensive table cloths for your guests to sit on, and be sure to institute a “no shoes” policy to keep table cloths clean. Use actual dinner plates and metal cutlery instead of paper plates to reduce your carbon impact. Match décor to the theme and remember that you can always reuse items when you plan next summer’s picnic.

Food

Barbecues are essential summer activities, but make sure your guests have moist towelettes—or a sink—to clean their sticky, hickory smoke scented hands. Also stock up on lighter fluid and charcoal. If you have decided to go with a less messy entrée, just make sure that you have the necessary coolers to keep food from spoiling.