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Summer is my favorite season. The sun, the fresh air, the general joy I feel from the ability to spend almost every waking minute I can outside. And I know I’m not alone. Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen outdoor restaurants and bars packed as New York’s streets flood with people reveling in the moment. Something about the great weather just puts everyone in a great mood. One of my favorite ways to spend a summer morning, or evening or literally whenever, is with a picnic. A picnic provides some respite from the chaos of daily life with time to just chill out and enjoy time outside with good company and good eats.
If you’re itching to get to your nearest park, plop down with a blanket and charcuterie board and start picnicking, keep reading. I’ve outlined how to throw the most epic, delicious, and fun picnic this season with a step-by-step guide. From the set up to clean up, I’ve got you covered. Read on for everything you’ll need to set up an awesome picnic this summer.
Setting Up Shop
Whether your picnic location is sandy or grassy, by the city or by the sea, a Slowtide blanket makes for the perfect spot to plop down. The Freeride Blanket is a versatile, oversized, lightweight cotton throw. There’s more than enough room for you and a few friends to sit comfortably, making it a great option for a picnic. Bonus points: it doubles as a throw for your bed or couch and can even be tossed in the washer and dryer for easy cleaning. I love the bright, vibrant colors of this one, but Slowtide has plenty of styles if this isn’t really your speed.
Keeping The Snacks Safe
Cheese and crackers, fruit salad, chips, crudite, finger sandwiches...the picnic menu is truly endless. Whatever you’re feeling, you’re going to want a nice container (or a few nice containers) to house all of those yummy eats. Inka’s food containers have a sleek and chic design, but most importantly, they’re functional. With their InvisiSeal Technology, you can be sure you won’t have any spills to deal with. Plus, they’re microwave, dishwasher, fridge and freezer safe.
Getting Everything There
When it comes to everyday, carry-all bags, Baggu is the gold standard. Each bag can hold up to fifty pounds of stuff and folds down into a flat pouch that can fit in your pocket. The ripstop nylon material is super easy to clean: if anyone spills on it just wipe it down or throw it in the washing machine. Plus, it’s made from recycled materials. And, it’s super durable. Small but mighty, a Baggu can fit your picnic blanket, bottles of wine, snacks, and then some.
A Bunch Of Snacks For Munching
After you’ve set up, you’re ready to dig into the snacks. No matter your diet or preferences, you can find snacks you’ll love on Thrive Market. It’s an easy and convenient way to stock up on all sorts of munches like grain-free crackers, chocolate chip cookies, and spicy vegan queso dip. If you’re providing the snacks for everyone at the picnic, Thrive Market has options that’ll appeal to everyone, from Keto to Vegan and so much more.
To satisfy those with a sweet tooth, pick up some BEHAVE gummies. BEHAVE’s Seriously Good Gummy Bears only have 1 gram of sugar, 80 calories, and 4 grams of net carbs per bag. I’m a sucker for gummy candies, but I hate the sugar crash I feel after indulging in a handful, or two or three. That’s why BEHAVE is such a great alternative. With less sugar and no nasty additives, you can be sure you won’t be falling asleep on the picnic blanket in a sugar induced-haze.
Something To Sip On
For many, a picnic is not truly complete without libations. How about something light and refreshing to go with that summer heat? If that’s what you’re looking for, Haus has hit the nail on the head. The low-alcohol, all-natural aperitifs come in exciting flavors like Ginger Yuzu and Citrus Flower that taste just as delicious on their own as they do with a splash of your favorite liquor or soda water. The clean ingredients and low ABV make for a delicious picnic sips, minus the nasty hangover the next morning.
Now, just enjoy. Eat, drink, and take some photos to document the joy that is the summer picnic. Check out these companies and start planning for your next picnic now:
