Picnics are fun for everyone.
Picnics are fun, economical and adventurous for the whole family, and picnics for two make an inexpensive and romantic date. Whoever you choose to picnic with, you need a picnic set--plates, cups, silverware and other eating equipment. Professionally assembled picnic sets can cost more than $100, but you can make your own picnic set for much less while having everything you need to make your outdoor meal a success.
Instructions
1. Find a picnic set carrier. You can use a backpack you already own or a basket with a lid from your local craft store. Make sure your picnic set carrier is large enough to hold everything you need for the perfect picnic.
2. Purchase items that won't break. Unlike your dishes at home, picnic plates are jostled about in the carrier and may be set down on the ground more often than on a table. If you don't have plastic dishes at home, you can purchase them at any large discount store.
3. Customize dish purchases for your picnic needs. If there are three people in your family, buy three of everything--three plates, three bowls (for fruit salad or dessert), three cups, three napkins and three sets of flatware. If you're planning a series of romantic picnics for two, buy two of each dish and utensil, and add a pair of unbreakable wine goblets. If there are five people in your family, make sure to buy a backpack or lidded basket that can fit five of each item.
4. Pack extra gadgets. A corkscrew is essential to any picnic set, especially for picnics for two. A paring knife is handy for slicing fruit or cheese on-site, and a small cheeseboard also works as a cutting board.
5. Include basic condiments. Small, unbreakable salt and pepper shakers are useful--make sure they have sealable lids or tops so the salt and pepper don't spill. Throw in a handful of individual packets of mustard, ketchup and relish. They don't need refrigeration and weigh than a full jar or bottle, which isn't likely to be emptied in one picnic anyway.
6. Repel unwanted guests. A small bottle of insect repellent could make the difference between a pleasant picnic and an itchy one. Add a fly strip, just in case you decide to picnic under a tree with low-hanging branches to hook it to.
7. Add cleanup supplies. Moist wipes to clean sticky or greasy hands are a must. Pack sealable plastic bags for your dirty dishes in; you don't want to soil the inside of your carrier. Include a garbage bag for throwaway trash, such as fruit cores, fried chicken bones, soda bottles or cans.
Tags: your picnic, dishes home, everything need, make your, much less, people your, family