Also bug spray. Don't forget bug spray!
5
Keep an eye on the vittles. Had a hiker not been passed on the trail by a cat dragging a roasted chicken and approached us picnickers to ask if we had such go missing, we'd have been mystified forever. Happy to feed the kitties, of course :)
9
A wooden handled, folding Opinel picnic knife from France is a very good utensil to utilize. Clothe napkins and table clothe are essential. As is a corkscrew.
1
-- Don't forget to consider the distance between the actual picnic site and the area where you parked your vehicle. Picnic gear *will* become heavy and unwieldy after a long time walking.
-- If you're packing for a group picnic, the rule of thumb for food (to keep things manageable) is to make enough for your own immediate group plus one more. This means if you're joining a group and you're a party of four, make enough to feed five, and no more.
-- Some people like to use disposable tableware for picnics, on the grounds of weight and sanitation. That's perfectly legitimate especially if picnicking is less than a monthly event; otherwise, consider reusable tableware if you're picnicking more than once a month during the season.
-- Carry two trash bags. One is for the garbage you generate (food wrapping, table scraps), the other is for anything you want to wash afterwards (dirty tableware, cloth napkins, etc.)
-- Be aware of where the closest washrooms are on or near your picnic site. Inevitably, people (especially children) do forget to go before they leave.
-- If you're packing for a group picnic, the rule of thumb for food (to keep things manageable) is to make enough for your own immediate group plus one more. This means if you're joining a group and you're a party of four, make enough to feed five, and no more.
-- Some people like to use disposable tableware for picnics, on the grounds of weight and sanitation. That's perfectly legitimate especially if picnicking is less than a monthly event; otherwise, consider reusable tableware if you're picnicking more than once a month during the season.
-- Carry two trash bags. One is for the garbage you generate (food wrapping, table scraps), the other is for anything you want to wash afterwards (dirty tableware, cloth napkins, etc.)
-- Be aware of where the closest washrooms are on or near your picnic site. Inevitably, people (especially children) do forget to go before they leave.
5
Will skip all picnics that involve filling deviled eggs on site.
23
Yea, seems overly fussy to me too. I'm in the camp that all prep and cooking (including filling deviled eggs) should be done before the picnic. And a 'kit of herbs, lemons, salt, pepper and olive oil'? Isn't a lot of the fun of a picnic having to rough it a little and do without all of the standard accoutrements of life?
7
A washable tablecloth for a picnic bench is invaluable.
5
This does not sound like fun at all.
9
Bug repellent and or citronella candles
10
Add to your list, Hand sanitizer, or some sort of pre moistened hand wipes! Essential!
13
Lots of coolers, lots of ice. Especially if you are cooking meat on a grill; food safety is important; keeping drinks cool will use up ice. Especially if the eating and drinking will be over more than a few hours. At our friends' Brooklyn barbecues nearly every family group brings a cooler with lots of ice even if they are not bringing much food.
Don't skimp on the quantity and quality of the trash bags. They don't spoil; more garbage than bags would be a disaster. But "contractor bags" are too big to handle; stick with 33 gallon or so.
If you'll be doing this often BYO collapsible chairs are a nice thing for each adult to have.
Don't skimp on the quantity and quality of the trash bags. They don't spoil; more garbage than bags would be a disaster. But "contractor bags" are too big to handle; stick with 33 gallon or so.
If you'll be doing this often BYO collapsible chairs are a nice thing for each adult to have.
11