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Turn picnic panic into
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Last minute casual snack or moveable feast,
picnic planning is essential
Sometimes picnic planning has to be done at the last minute. Maybe the sun has unexpectedly decided to come out, the kids need some distraction and you feel like abandoning the housework and escaping outdoors. Then a simple snack can become a picnic.
You can easily pack up a few things and off you go! You can even pick up some food on the way. Most supermarkets have lots of prepared foods to help you create a quick picnic. Take along some ideas or equipment for
outdoor games
and let the kids run wild and work off their energy without disturbing others.However, having a few things to hand will make this kind of impromptu picnic much easier to plan. And, thankfully, picnic equipment and accessories have come a long way since the days of leaky thermos flasks and tin lunchboxes.
Now you can have all the comforts of home, out in the great outdoors. There are tables and chairs, barbecues and even cups and bowls designed to fold flat for easy transportation these days.
Depending on the age of your children, you might like to involve them in the packing. I’m sure you’ll find they’re much happier helping you with picnic planning than cleaning their room! Again give each a specific task, such as finding the games to take – badminton, croquet etc., or collecting and packing the family’s swimming or sports gear.
Most kitchens have plastic tubs and bowls and even a cool box tucked away somewhere. Then, provided you add some easily transportable food and drink, it’s simple to prepare a spur of the minute family picnic.
Of course you could have a picnic hamper at the ready with all the necessary picnicware in it. There are some great picnic back-packs available these days too, which come complete with plates, plastic glasses, cutlery, bottle opener, and even napkins!
If you don't find what you're looking for at the Picnic Shop I'll be surprised. They usually have a wide selection to choose from.
Planning a picnic party
If you’re inviting others, perhaps turning it into more of an outdoor party, then you’ll find it much easier if the picnic planning is done quite thoroughly in advance. You’ll be less stressed and everyone present will enjoy themselves much more.
- Date? – you can have picnics any time of the year
- Time? – daytime or evening – or even a night out under the stars
- Reason? – there doesn’t have to be one!
- Theme? – check out our ideas and please let us know of any you’ve had fun with
- Location? – close to home or further away, by the sea or in the country.
- Who will you invite? Do you need written invitations?
- Weather? Do you know if it’s likely to be hot, warm, humid, windy, cloudy? Is rain a possibility?
We’re collecting Top Spots for a picnic so please let us know if you can suggest somewhere really nice and we’ll add it to our list.
Nothing beats a change of scene, even if it’s only for a couple of hours – and there’s some beautiful scenery on offer near you, wherever you live. Please don’t join those people who’ve been seen picnicking beside the motorway! The food would really have to be exceptional to counteract the view and the traffic fumes, wouldn’t it?!
Why not use
free printable cards?
Print as many as you like and give them to your friends and family. Choose from kids cards, funny cards, animal cards and even art & craft cards that you can cut out and stick for a more personal greeting.
The right mix of people is important for an outdoor picnic, just as it is for an indoor party. It’s the people as well as the food, setting etc. that will make it memorable.
Are you going to ask others to share in the organizing of the event? If so, you need to give them clear instructions as to what you would like them to do, bring, bake etc. Have suggestions ready to give each one.
Forecast your picnic weather as best you can and with a little planning, even if it does decide to rain, you can still have a wonderful time.
- Of course, don’t forget the food !
- and picnic equipment of all sorts
If you chosen a themed picnic, then the food may have to be chosen accordingly. Our recipes should give you inspiration to add to your own favourites.
Make a list,
then another and another!!! Picnic planning just means making lists. Then you need fear it no longer!
Picnic Planning made simple
Still stressed out about what decisions to make?
Let me introduce you to your personal helper as far as decision-making is concerned! I've found an amazingly simple tool which should be able to help you make the best choices with regard to picnic planning.
Choose It!
takes your choices, wishes and priorities and turns them into a simple graph, which helps you make up your mind - and often it suggests the unexpected!
And the best part...
It's totally free to use as often as you like. You can use it for decisions about where to hold your picnic, what to eat at your picnic and lots more.
Of course you can use it for anything at all that you have to make a decision about, not just picnics!
So, what are you waiting for?
Sort out your picnic now!
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