Back on Memorial Day (which feels like ages ago even though it was only a little over a month ago!) my boyfriend, Craig and I had ourselves a little picnic in the park. It was a beautiful Brooklyn day, and since we had the day off from work we decided it was the perfect time to spend some time outside and soak up some sun and fresh air. I shared a few snaps from our picnic over on Instagram and my story that day, and got a couple requests to share my tips to throwing your own Instagram-worthy summer picnic. It’s really quite simple and totally up to you, but here are my foolproof steps to throw a summer picnic you’ll love.

How To Throw A Summer Picnic

Step 1: Get a picnic basket

Yes, this step is absolutely mandatory. Okay, fine, maybe it’s not mandatory, but at least have a cute summery bag to bring all of your supplies in. I personally prefer an authentic picnic basket, as it adds to the aesthetics of it all and they’re just so stinking cute! Rounding up some of my picks (including the one we own!) below.

 

Step 2: Don’t forget a blanket!

I don’t know about you but I don’t like sitting directly in the grass. Between the bugs, dirt, and potential for it to be damp, it’s just not my thing. You can bring an old sheet you have lying around OR to make it Instagram-worthy, you can pick up an affordable outdoor blanket in a classic gingham print like we did! This one is great because it has a waterproof layer on the bottom and folds up nicely when we’re done with it. My tip would be to pay attention to the color or pattern of your blanket if you plan to take pics during your summer picnic. It’ll serve as your backdrop for most pictures so you want it to be something cute and aesthetically pleasing.

 

Step 3: Decide on your menu

This step is probably my favorite part honestly. We like to have lots of options at our picnics so we tend to pick up a couple of sweets, a couple savory options, and always some fresh elements like fruit. For a summer picnic, our menu usually consists of a seasonal fruit salad or freshly cut watermelon, cheese and crackers (I find that two or three kinds of cheese is best so there’s something for everyone), an easy dessert like chocolate chip cookies, and some kind of chips. Other options are sandwiches, fresh baguette, assorted fruit jams/spreads, popcorn, grapes, the options are endless! The key is to always do easy foods that you can eat with your hands and won’t get too messy. No one wants to be fussing with a fork and knife at a picnic or eating something super saucy that might get on their hands.

As for drinks, we usually do a large bottle of cold water, some fresh orange juice or lemonade, and maybe some flavored seltzers. We personally aren’t big soda drinkers, but you could always bring a few bottles or cans of soda too!

Step 4: Pick your location

We’ve had picnics in three parks in NYC so far—Central Park (remember our fall picnic way back when I FIRST started blogging?!), Prospect Park, and the cute little park down the street from our apartment. When we have picnics, we tend to have them in a park on a large grassy lawn, but you could also throw a summer picnic at the beach or down by the lake if you’re near one. Pick a spot that isn’t super crowded (hello, we’re still in a pandemic) and ideally a spot with a little bit of shade. For me, there’s nothing worse than sitting in direct sunlight for too long during the summer months. If you’re at a park, there will probably be trees to offer you some salvation but at the beach or by the lake, you may want to bring a large beach umbrella for some shade. Pro-tip: try to match it or compliment your blanket with your umbrella! It’s all for the aesthetic, people.

Step 5: Enjoy yourself!

Throwing a summer picnic is so much fun, especially with the right group of people, nice weather, and good food—you really can’t go wrong. I like to take a few photos right away once we get settled in our spot so that afterwards I can just enjoy the vibes and have fun with my friends without worrying about getting pics later. Plus, taking pictures early alleviates the stress of keeping your clothes clean, and the food looks better since it’s not all picked over yet.

You can also bring a ball to toss around or a deck of cards to play a few games while you’re out there. Sometimes we’ll also bring a small bluetooth speaker so we can play some tunes and really create the right vibe. If you’re having your picnic alone, I’d definitely recommend a book for some light reading. Try and give your eyes a break from the screens for a bit, and read a good old fashioned book.

There you have it. My five full-proof tips to throwing an epic summer picnic. I think a picnic is definitely the way to go this summer, with COVID-19 and social distancing still in place, getting outside for some fresh air and even sitting 6 ft from your friends could be a great way to spend the summer days. As always, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I’d love to see pics from your own summer picnic so be sure to tag me!

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