My sister, Peggy, and I could be the poster girls for National Sisters’ Day. We are best friends and, believe it or not, have never had a fight. And we don’t need a reason to laugh — we just laugh all the time when we’re together.
So, when I won two tickets from a local radio station to see Alanis Morrissette, I immediately decided that my sister was going to be my plus one.
And what better way to kick off the night then with a delicious cocktail?! In this case, we went with a key lime martini, which also happens to be my brother-in-law Bob’s specialty. And because, technically, we were celebrating National Sisters’ Day, I enlisted Bob to whip up a batch for us.
This particular recipe was inspired by one I found online. It includes Tuaca, an Italian brandy “with subtle notes of vanilla and citrus, hints of butterscotch, cola, dried fig, and other flavors.” How can you pass on an ingredient with that description!
Once the drinks are made, thank the bartender/husband/brother-in-law and enjoy your key lime martini in great company.
Then, head out for an amazing night of live music by a strong and powerful female artist, where you get to spend time with your sister — and best friend — and perhaps enjoy another cocktail as well!
Quick, think of everything you love about birthdays (playing games, getting together with friends and family, cake). Now, think of what makes summer so awesome (warm temps, no school, ice cream). Put them together, and you’ve got the absolute best time of year for a birthday party!
“Summer birthdays can be a blast, and with short work weeks, warm weather, and any excuse for a pool day, there are many ways to make a summer birthday special,” says Kristine Cooke, event planner and designer at Simply Charming Socials.
The laid back and flexible nature of the season, Cooke adds, makes planning summer birthday celebrations easier. “Kids are out of school, workloads tend to be lighter, and vacations are sprinkled throughout the months, so adding in a birthday party or trip isn’t as hurried,” she says.
Summer lets you fully enjoy the great outdoors
With the weather generally warm and sunny, the options for where to host a summer birthday increase infinitely. “You can celebrate anywhere, from a manicured backyard to a pool deck, down by the lake or oceanfront, on a rooftop or in a garden,” Cooke says. “Even the mountains in the summer months are beautiful and great for a glamping trip or campout.”
While there’s nothing like an outdoor summer party, Cooke is quick to point out the pros of an indoor party. “When the AC is pumping and you can enjoy a sweat-free fete, indoor parties are where it’s at,” she says.
4 easy ways to achieve summer birthday happiness
With a little extra consideration about the season, you can host a memorably fun summer birthday party.
1. Choose a summertime theme
A theme might feel too “extra” at first, but it can help immensely when it comes to brainstorming and planning — not to mention the “wow” factor for your guests and special birthday person. “One of our most memorable summer birthdays was a citrus-themed pool party for 4-year old twins at their home in Atlanta,” Cooke says. “From water activities to a tapas bar, on-theme desserts to colorful picnic-style seating, this party was pretty and fun!”
Photos courtesy of Grace Jayne Photography
2. Opt for summer-friendly foods
Particularly for outdoor daytime parties, avoid foods that melt quickly in the sun (anything with chocolate) or things that spoil easily (shrimp salad, for example). Focus on summer foods that refresh and hold up in the heat, such as watermelon salad, gazpacho, and cucumber sandwiches.
3. Think drinks
“Always keep plenty of cool beverages at the ready, boozy or otherwise,” Cooke says. Freeze bottles of water, have plenty of ice on hand, and make sure juice boxes and water is easy to access, especially for little hands.
4. Bug off
Nothing can kill a party faster than a swarm of mosquitos. In addition to bug spray, Cooke says fans are a helpful way to ward off bugs and keep everyone cool. “And for the evenings, tiki torches or citronella candles are key.”
Summer birthday parties for adults
A summer birthday also means the party possibilities are virtually limitless. Cooke, whose business is based in Georgia, says some of her favorite summer birthday celebrations have included an al fresco dinner party, poolside white attire party, and dockside low-country boil. Another stand out? “An intimate boat ride followed by a multi-course waterfront dinner.”
For adult summer birthdays, Cooke suggests taking full advantage of gorgeous summer evenings. “Laid-back gatherings, when the sun sets late into the evening, are so enjoyable. Or opt for a pool party or beachside celebration…where else can you blow out the candles with a frozen drink in hand?”
Know someone who’s turning 21, 30, or the big 5-0 this summer? For the person celebrating a milestone birthday, Cooke likes the idea of whisking them away. “Tropical destinations are popular in those summer months, but if you’re staying in the U.S., we recommend New England or the Pacific Northwest, areas that have so much beauty in the summer without the high heat or cold winter weather,” Cooke says.
Ask everyone to dress in the same color. Don’t forget to end the night with a toast and sparklers (these aren’t just for wedding exits anymore).
4. Hot tropics
Encourage guests to come in their best island attire (bonus points for the loudest Hawaiian shirts). Send out the tropical vibes with festive decor and coral-colored party fans, and indulge in some icy cocktails that will transport partygoers straight to a seaside bar (in spirit, at least).
Summer birthday parties for kids
Now, about those kiddos. A summer birthday for younger ones means you’ll want to track down school friends to get invites out to everyone. Cooke says it’s also important to consider the summer heat and other related factors. “Summer birthdays for kids can be a blast but can come with a few challenges, especially if you’re hosting outside.” She suggests always keeping sunscreen, bug spray, and a first-aid kit on hand. “And we can’t stress adult supervision enough, especially for pool parties, bounce houses, and campfires.”
4 summer birthday themes for kids
1. Backyard camp-out party
Roast marshmallows, set up pop-up tents with sleeping bags, tell scary stories, and sleep under the stars.
Keep this party low-key, with an outdoor projector playing a favorite flick and an ice cream bar or popcorn station.
4. Mermaid/Merman party
Tails are optional, but “sea” food is a must (or maybe just the fish cracker variety). No pool? No problem! Get well stocked on water balloons and Super Soakers. Indulge little ones in their own summer dessert board that’s just as fancy as the grown-up variety.
Summer is one of the best times of year to entertain. During this season, life slows down a bit, providing plenty of time for planning an unforgettable celebration – as well the right atmosphere for hosting one.
“There’s something a bit more gentle about a summer situation,” says Rachel Ashwell, founder of the celebrated Shabby Chic® design style and couture brand. “Being outside, near a garden, on a balcony…it lends itself to interacting and catching up on the year’s events.”
There’s a relaxed sort of elegance to summer gatherings that also allows for a bit more whimsy and possibility when decorating and entertaining guests. Being outdoors allows for nature to set the stage blossoming trees and colorful blooms.
As the proud caretaker of a lush rose garden at her Santa Monica home, Ashwell says her favorite summer parties have always been held outdoors. “I like to let the roses and flowers be the star of the show.”
Details make the day
Ashwell has a few signature elements she often likes to include when entertaining: “I use scraps of fabric for bunting, which is an affordable way of creating a great decorative element.” The British-born Ashwell points out this décor tradition began in England after World War II, when citizens took to displaying small Union Jacks strung across long pieces of twine and hung like banners. Bunting was just about anywhere a string could be affixed and it became an informal and quintessentially English way to dress up an event.
For me, parties are all about intimacy, and hosting is all about the simplicity of making a space that supports people connecting.”
Rachel Ashwell
For themed parties, Ashwell suggests tying the bunting style to the concept. A white garden party may call for a uniquely textured white fabric; for a traditional garden party, a specific floral fabric that complements your yard’s live blooms might be more appropriate. Ashwell also is a fan of décor that combines charm and utility. “Placing parasols in the garden is a very summery party element,” she says. “You could attach flowers, or even fairy lights, to make it actually useful in the evening.”
Setting a summer table
Though a lifetime admirer and collector of vintage china, Ashwell says one of her favorite elements of a hosting an outdoor summer party is the option of using paper plates, customized in an inspired manner. “You can really make a white plate come to life by personalizing it. Decorate them beforehand using an embosser, or buy them already embossed with an icon, maybe a certain flower, or a person’s name — or even have the plates custom made.”
Blending formal and informal design elements is a Shabby Chic® trademark, which, in this case, Ashwell says can be applied to choosing the rest of your table settings. “I also like to layer in things that have more substance, so I prefer cloth napkins. They could be floral, or little plaids, not always just solids.”
Keep your theme and palette in mind when choosing items for your table, such as beverage bottles and any packaging. “I try and keep everything that’s in view aesthetically pleasing, so I’m also mindful of the attractiveness of the bottles of wine, water, and drinks, as there are really pretty drinks out there these days.”
Keep things cool, light, and lively
Above all, Ashwell believes that a great party gives guests room to communicate and engage with one another.
“Sometimes you go to a party and can’t see people, or you can’t really talk to them,” she says. “For me, parties are all about intimacy, and hosting is all about the simplicity of making a space that supports people connecting. So I make sure to remain mindful of practicality, not just aesthetics.”
To her, the idea is to plan an outdoor celebration by working with your environment and making the most of what nature has to offer. That means building shaded spaces in your layout and keeping an air-conditioned indoor room near the action for folks who need a breather.
Ashwell’s mantra of beauty, comfort, and function begins with seating and surfaces: Having a round table at a party tends to make it easier for guests to communicate with one another, and using low floral displays on the table allows for better eye contact.
At an outdoor summer party, don’t be afraid to encourage little playful moments that make people feel at ease. “I personally have a massive collection of vintage floral hats, and I always have baskets of those for my guests to wear. It’s not quite dress-up, just something nice and festive, and it makes for great photos,” Ashwell says. “People can often be inhibited about ‘Smile for the camera!’ and this can loosen the atmosphere a bit.”
A reunion to remember
Summer is also prime season for class or family reunions, celebrations that are about collectively experiencing the past, in the present. To aid in this process, Ashwell suggests assembling a “visual memory lane, or a little exhibit of what your reunion is about that represents your shared memories.” Try building multiple memory boards on eye-level easels that feature photos and items from the past, and suggest on your invitations that guests bring their related materials to post. This, Ashwell says, sets the scene for “an interactive ‘Oh my, you still have that?!’ type of scenario.”
Let the fun in the sun commence
At day’s end, Ashwell finds the key to hosting a party that entertains and satisfies is creating an environment that brings people together to recount shared memories while inspiring moments that create new ones.
She says, “I’m all about the meaning of gatherings. So anything you can arrange that jogs memories, causes reflections or communication, enables meaningful conversations, makes a much more successful party than some major, fancy situation with loud music and so much space that you don’t get to see anybody.”
Summer may be the same length as the three other seasons, but for some reason it feels shorter. Depending on how you read the calendar, we have two or three months at most before we’re all supposed to put the summer whites away and get back to business as usual. So, we want to put this time to the best use we can. Carpe diem! (That means “Seize the day!” for those who don’t speak Latin.)
Here are nine ways to make the most of summer while spending time with others…or reenergizing yourself.
1. Take short vacations
“Less is more” is a key credo for psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, despite the title of his book, Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days. With our day-to-day lives being so dang busy, now is not the time for a huge vacation, he says. “Not only is that expensive, it takes a lot of time, energy, and stress to plan it. Then it takes a few days on the trip to get out of work mode, and a couple of days before it ends you’re thinking about work again.” So, you’re wasting half the trip with anxieties about work. Where’s the fun in that?
“What’s better is to take long weekends,” he recommends. “It takes less mental energy, costs less, and you’re not stressed by missing work for so long.” You don’t get disoriented or fall behind.
2. Disconnect from social media
While platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram give us a sense of community, they also have the drawback of being intensely competitive when people post lavish trips and vacation spots. “They create keep-up-with-the-Joneses feelings,” Alpert says. “Don’t let social media influence where you go for vacation. Just disconnect and base your decisions on your own research and discussions with your significant other.”
Then, when you’re on vacation, the pressure to report your experiences to social media in real time can also take you out of the experience itself. Don’t curate your vacation. “The more time you spend on social media, the more you miss what’s right in front of you,” Alpert says. In other words, your fear of missing out — or FOMO, as the kids call it — should be over a real beach, not a photo of one.
3. Get back to nature
One way to replace that tech overstimulation is through immersion in the natural world. “It’s summer, so anything you can do to get outdoors and be around flowers and plants is a great move,” says Brielle Merchant, MHA, a certified health educator and registered yoga teacher.
The following three suggestions are all activities Merchant recommends that you do out in nature.
4. Grounding
This involves getting down and dirty with Mother Earth. “You lie down, take your shoes off, and put your feet on the ground with your arms and legs out,” Merchant explains. “It reduces stress and feelings of anxiety and depression, lifting your mood. It can also improve your sleep and help you be more present in your everyday life.”
5. Journaling
“Making daily entries in a diary outdoors is a great way to gain clarity and understanding,” Merchant says. Parks are a perfect place to do this, she notes. “They’re beautiful, normally quiet, and they often have water fountains and gazebos you can sit under.”
6. Coloring, drawing, painting
Any of these practiced out in the beauty of nature will lower your stress and anxiety, and improve your mood and sleep quality, Merchant says. “They also improve your focus and patience. Plus, they’re great ways to improve our motor skills.” For those who aren’t particularly gifted in art, Merchant recommends adult coloring books, which you can find at your local art store.
7. Meditation or yoga
Listen to the audio of a meditation you like when you’re out in nature. This gives you a double dose of serenity: one from the meditation, one from the location. The same goes for yoga outdoors. “Yoga is especially great because it also helps you improve your balance and increases your strength,” Merchant explains.
8. Cook and eat plant-based foods
In addition to being out in nature, it’s a great time to put some nature in you, Merchant advises. If possible, purchase vegetables, fruits, and beans from your local farmers market. Even if you only have access to grocery stores, summer is the perfect time to explore new produce or cook it in a new way. “Plant-based foods improve your mood, energize you, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.” They also give you new ways to stay hydrated in summer, Merchant adds. “Just add plant-based foods like mint or blueberries to your water to make it more interesting. It’s far healthier than sugary sodas.”
9. Reconnect
Summer is the perfect time for reunions with loved ones and friends that you haven’t seen in a while. “Start a new family tradition,” Alpert recommends. “Go hiking, hit the beach, visit a new city together…and if you all love it, make it a point to do it regularly.” And if you’re a couple, it’s the perfect opportunity to work on your relationship. “Just getting away from work is a start, and relaxation enhances romance,” Alpert says. “You can just focus on each other.”
“The healthier the thing is that you do together, the better,” Merchant says. “Science shows that any good habit you’re trying to develop, if you do it with a loved one or friend who can keep you accountable, it really increases your chances of not just adhering to it but establishing it as a long-term lifestyle choice.”
Planning a beach picnic involves more than throwing on a bathing suit and flip-flops, packing towels, and filling a cooler with deli sandwiches and adult beverages. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with going that route, but to make your beach picnic shine, we’ve put together this checklist for supplies and a special menu featuring delicious seafood salad sandwiches and caprese kebabs.
Hand wipes, trash bags, recycling bags, paper towels, hand sanitizer, first aid kit
Swim hard, eat light
I love supplementing a beach picnic with lighter fare, including wine and cheese, charcuterie, fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, crackers, dips and spreads, and a baguette, all served on platters and boards. It’s an easy way to feed a group of people chilling at the beach. Plus, no cooking is required, which means more time for swimming, relaxing, and having fun.
Two of my favorite recipes to make for a beach picnic are seafood salad sandwiches and caprese kebabs. They’re both super delicious and easy to make (and pack!), and they look great displayed on a platter.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and season with seasoned salt and pepper to taste. Cook shrimp until bright pink and opaque, about 2 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high and add lemon juice. Continue cooking for another minute or two, remove from heat, and set aside to cool.
Once cooled, coarsely chop the cooked shrimp into pieces and place in a large mixing bowl with the lump crabmeat.
Add the scallions, celery, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, seasoned salt, and additional black pepper to taste. Stir together to combine.
Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom of the muffin bread and top with a half cup of seafood salad and another slice of bread. Slice sandwiches in half and serve on a platter.
Author: Kristen Hess
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Caprese kebabs
These caprese kebabs are delicious and easy to prepare, and make a light and healthy snack, too. The main ingredients are fresh basil leaves, bocconcini (fresh mozzarella balls), and cherry tomatoes, which are threaded onto small wood skewers, drizzled with balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkled with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to finish.
Follow along with these steps from Ramona Cruz-Peters of Fab Everyday to create a wine and roses charcuterie board perfect for summer entertaining.
My two favorite things about the summer are the longer days and all the beautiful roses in bloom. This is what inspired me to create a simple but lovely “Days of Wine and Roses”-themed charcuterie board for summer entertaining.
With just a few steps and a meat and cheese basket, you too can make this swoon-worthy spread.
Step 1: Create salami roses and rosettes
To make salami roses, fold a piece of salami over the rim of a champagne flute. If you don’t have a champagne flute, you can use a regular glass; I recommend one with a narrow mouth so the salami roses don’t end up too big. Repeat the process with more salami, overlapping as you work your way around the glass.
When the ring of folded salami feels tight, invert your glass over the charcuterie board and slide the glass out of the salami rose. Herb leaves like sage can be strategically placed with the roses to bring the floral theme to life.
After creating 2-3 large salami roses, you can create mini rosettes by folding salami pieces in half, and then rolling a few of them together and securing them with toothpicks. I like to place the rosettes next to the larger salami roses to make it look like a group of rosebuds.
Step 2: Add cheese to the board
Next, add a few different cheeses, such as an aged Asiago and a nutty Gruyère, to your charcuterie board. Offering a variety of cheeses accommodates different guests’ preferences and provides options for mixing and matching flavors.
Continuing with the floral theme, I sliced the wedge of Asiago into long triangles to mimic petals and placed them in the middle of the board. I cut the Gruyère into cubes and placed them at the corners of the board to provide visual contrast with the circular salami roses.
Step 3: Incorporate your antipasto
Who said you shouldn’t play with your food? Displaying the antipasto should be fun! I arranged some of the roasted peppers with garlic and garlic-stuffed olives into floral shapes in small ramekins before adding them to the charcuterie board.
Step 4: Fill the extra space with nuts and fresh herbs
Finally, fill in the open spaces on the board with mixed nuts and more fresh herbs like rosemary in addition to the sage leaves.
Step 5: Cheers!
Now it’s ready to party! Serve the charcuterie board with water crackers and baguette crisps for your guests to eat with the meat and cheeses, plus an assortment of red and white wines. If you have a wide variety of wine and cheeses, you could even suggest different pairings for guests to experiment with. For a final touch, I like to set out the charcuterie board with roses or rose petals to pull together the floral theme.
What are the first two things that come to mind when you think of summer? A lot of folks might say “sun and surf” or “grill and chill,” but if you ask me, it’s roses and rosé! And I’m not talking about Lauren Zima’s recap show for Bachelor Nation.
For me, summer is about celebrations and relaxation. Flirty and frivolous, rosé is the perfect beverage to enjoy on a sun-kissed balcony, at a bustling beachside bar, or while dining al fresco on a warm summer evening. Add the overwhelming fragrance and stunning beauty of rambling roses and you have the perfect storm of summer perfection!
Here are three ways to enjoy roses and rosé this season.
Rosé sangria mojito cocktail
Rosé is extremely versatile and can function as a base for your favorite cocktail, adding lovely flavors like strawberry, raspberry, and citrus. I wanted to create a summer cocktail that was light, with layered flavors, but not sweet. What I came up with is a cross between sangria and a mojito.
This rosé sangria mojito is a more grown-up cocktail. If you prefer your drinks on the sweeter side, you can add some simple syrup to the mix or use a sweetened cranberry juice instead of the flavored seltzer.
This drink pairs perfectly with the chocolate strawberry bubbly bar or dark chocolate sparkling rosé cordials that come with the Girls Night In Rosé Gift Basket. Just mix it up, pour it into the “Rosé All Day” stemless wine glass, and you’re ready for any celebratory occasion!
Wash all the berries. Remove the tops of the strawberries and cut into slices.
Add all the fruit to the pitcher, along with a few sprigs of fresh mint.
Add two cups of rum, the bottle of rosé, and a can of cranberry seltzer.
Stir to mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate for about an hour.
When ready to serve, pour in a glass over ice and garnish with a strawberry slice.
DIY roses and rosé wreath
This summer, everything is coming up pink! And that means lots of fabulous party décor in that trendiest of colors. This roses and rosé wreath is a particularly pretty — and pink — way to display your wine while keeping it chilled at the same time.
If you don’t feel like going all out, there’s a version of this you can make with a faux rose wreath. Or, meet in the middle and do a little of both.
Learn how to grill burgers with these five simple steps from Nick Evans of Macheesmo.
One of the things I’m most looking forward to this summer is relaxing with family and friends in our backyard and grilling some really good burgers. I recently tried some of the Wagyu beef burgers available from Harry & David, and let me tell you: They’re deliciously juicy and flavorful. Plus, they’re individually wrapped, so you can store them in the freezer until you need them. Here are my quick tips for improving your burger game this summer.
Prep the patties
When I grill burgers, I like to keep the seasoning simple by using only salt and pepper. This is usually enough to enhance the robust natural flavor of the Wagyu beef burgers without overpowering them.
One pro tip: make a small divot in the center of each patty with your thumb. As meat heats, it tends to contract. If you start with a perfectly flat patty, it will pull in toward the center as it cooks, and you’ll end up with a football-shaped burger. The divot gives the patty some room to shrink, and you’ll be left with an evenly sized burger.
Grilling tips
Regardless of whether you are using charcoal or gas, you should grill burgers over direct heat to give them a nice char. For a medium burger, cook a one-third-pound patty for 3-4 minutes per side. If you prefer medium-rare (pink in the middle), then shoot for closer to three minutes each side.
If you’re not sure how well your burger is cooked, use an instant-read meat thermometer. A rare burger will register around 120° F in the direct center of the patty, while 140 F will get you a medium burger, and 160° F will be for one that’s well-done.
In the last few minutes while the burgers finish up, place your buns on the grill until they’re toasted, about 1-2 minutes, to give them a bit of texture.
Tasty toppings
I’m an American cheese fan through and through, but you can use other cheeses as well. I like to add a dollop of pepper and onion relish on top of my cheese. This gives a subtle sweetness and umami to the burger.
I also love to make a quick burger sauce with mayo, mustard, and chopped pickles. The sauce gives the burgers some extra fat and moisture, and the pickles add a bit of sharpness to each bite.
If you’re hosting friends or a backyard party, you can also create a burger bar with everyone’s favorite fixings.
Preheat grill. If you are using charcoal, prepare grill for direct heat grilling. If using gas, preheat to medium-high heat.
While the grill heats up, season burgers with salt and pepper on both sides. Use your thumb to press a small divot into the center of each patty.
Make the quick burger sauce by mixing the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced dill pickle, and pickle juice in a bowl. Set aside.
Clean and lightly oil your grill grates using a rag with some neutral oil. Use tongs to run the rag over the grill grates to make sure you don't get burned.
Add burgers to the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. One minute before the burgers are done, add cheese, and pepper and onion relish.
Grill buns for 1-2 minutes.
Assemble burgers with quick burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Serve immediately.
Picnics are a great way to get outside and enjoy beautiful weather, are good for families of any size, and can be scaled to any budget. And, best of all, they can be designed specifically around the things you and your picnic guests will love most, creating a unique event they’ll never forget.
Here are 11 expert tips to help you get started with your planning and preparation for the perfect picnic.
1. Think outside the park
Your local grassy knoll is great for taking the dogs out or grabbing some fresh air, but for a picnic that will go down in history, think grander. Beaches, lakesides, and riverbanks — basically anywhere near water — can all provide fantastic lush and unexpected settings. Or go for a short drive into the country, up into the mountains, or anywhere else near your home where the scenery is especially memorable.
“Our favorite type of picnic would definitely have to be somewhere with great views,” say Jocelyn Chin and Coco Chan, event planners and founders of the Bay Area picnic planning company Picnic ‘n Chill. “A great view can really elevate your picnic experience and set the tone for the whole event.”
To find a scenic location to explore in your area, type your zip code in at MyScenicDrives or search Yelp for nearby scenic views.
2. Select a theme
Whatever theme you choose doesn’t have to be elaborate — it can be as simple as a color, a type of food you want to focus on (think French, Italian, or American), or the type of mood you want to create (reflective, celebratory, or perhaps adventurous). Once your theme has been decided, Chan says, your other decisions — from menu planning to decorating — should stay consistent with it, to ensure your picnic feels whole, cohesive, and well thought out.
3. Plan an appropriate menu
When it comes to ideal picnic foods, Wendy Weston, a picnic expert and founder of New York City’s Perfect Picnic, recommends centering your picks around fresh seasonal foods, such as fruits and salads, along with prepared foods “that hang well and can withstand some time in the open air.” That means meats, cheeses, olives, jam, baguettes, and some sort of sandwich you’ve made in advance.
The Meat and Cheese Picnic Tin contains a selection of summer sausage, dry salami, sharp white cheddar, gouda, and pepper jack cheeses, along with olive oil and sea salt water crackers.
The Market Tote with Wine packs a selection of pears, apples, roasted almonds, sourdough baguettes, garlic-stuffed olives, fire roasted bruschetta spread, roasted artichoke heart halves, and more. Both are perfect on their own or paired with more of your faves.
Weston recommends prepping as much of the food as you can in advance. That way, you’re only dressing salads and spreading things out for the rest of your guests to enjoy once you get to your picnic site.
4. Don’t think too fancy
Social media is filled with photos of elaborate picnic spreads with formal dishes and silver and china…but don’t think you have to fall into that trap. “I like to buck the trends and stay as close as possible to my picnic roots,” Weston says. “I say, leave your fancy stuff at home and bring a nice melamine plate and some cute plastic tumblers. There’s a time and a place for luxury, and it can be really special, but bringing fine glassware on a picnic is challenging. Don’t be afraid of a casual vibe — you know, it’s still a picnic.”
5. Pack smart
For old school picnic charm, you can’t beat storing all your food and dishes in a basket, such as our Canasta Wicker model.
The Charleston Picnic Basket includes full service for four (plates, silverware, corkscrew, bottle stopper, cheese board, and knife, and even an insulated cooler bag).
Weston’s biggest insider picnic tip — after years spent hauling picnic materials by hand to Central Park — is: buy a wagon! (Or, if you don’t have one, borrow one from the kid next door.) An old-school little red wagon, or even a collapsible gardening wagon, will work, save your back and get all your picnic essentials from point A to point B. “I learned the hard way,” she says, “and a wagon makes things so much easier!”
7. Set up for comfort — and in layers
You want your guests to be able to relax, so pack plenty of comforts from home: blankets, a lawn chair or two, and a bunch of throw pillows. But before you spread all your blankets and pillows out on the ground, put a tarp down first. “We use tarps under everything we do,” Weston says. “We like to create a nice big area for people to lounge and relax, but before anything goes on the ground, we put down a thick canvas tarp from the hardware store. And then we layer on top of that!”
“Leave your phone at home, and remember: The picnic is time to unwind and spend time outdoors, relaxing and enjoying delicious food, and making memories with the people you care most about.”
Drinks are an essential part of every picnic, whether your guests enjoy a frosty glass of lemonade or a glass or two of pinot. And don’t forget to bring plenty of water as well, says Picnic n’ Chill’s Chin.
“Being out in the sun all day can leave you dehydrated,” she warns, and advises bringing more water than you think you need. She also suggests toting an extra bag or two of ice and a small bucket you can fill with ice to keep everyone’s drinks chilled. Pre-frozen water bottles are another great option; these help keep food cold early in the day and give you extra cold water to drink as they melt.
9. Opt for single-serving desserts
Elaborate cakes, pies, and tarts are amazing when you’re grilling by the pool or entertaining at home, but serving these types of desserts outside and away from home on a picnic is just too complicated, Weston says. She prefers bringing cookies, brownies, and fresh fruits, such as strawberries, to the events she helps plan. Chan agrees, adding donuts, cupcakes, and macarons to her go-to dessert menu list.
A few of our favorite options that picnic attendees are sure to love: the Cheers Wine Gift Box, which includes chocolate covered cherries, dark chocolate truffles, and Harry & David 2019 Royal Crest Red Blend.
To make your picnic even more memorable, Chin and Chan recommend bringing a special sign, banner, or letter board to display at your picnic site. This, they say, will make the outing seem more personalized and special.
Umbrellas can help break up the midday sun, but for a more unique and unexpected option, try a colorful parasol. They look great in photos and really bring a special element to your picnic, Weston says.
“Potted plants and topiaries are another great picnic addition,” she says. They add to that outdoor, lush feeling and can bring in unexpected colors and scents.
“If you pick a few really lovely, beautiful extra items for your picnic setup, it can really create a special, memorable event,” Weston says.
11. And, most importantly…
“Don’t try too hard!” Weston says. “A picnic should be more than an Instagrammable moment.”
Don’t overdo it with too much technology or fancy tents or elaborate candelabras or foods that are too hard to pack, prepare, or serve.
“Leave your phone at home, and remember: The picnic is time to unwind and spend time outdoors, relaxing and enjoying delicious food, and making memories with the people you care most about,” she says.
