Plan the Perfect Picnic

Whether life is a picnic, a backyard barbecue, or lunch in the park, you just need a few simple ingredients...

It can be a pick-up-and-go party or a planned in advance adventure, either way, the perfect recipe for a great summer picnic includes good friends, shady trees, and a bunch of your favorite picnic foods.

A summer picnic is more of a relaxed get together where you get to catch up with your friends and share a meal. A potluck picnic party is also a good way to meet up with your neighbors in a relaxed setting and can be more fun than a normal dinner party.  Invite your guest to bring their favorite picnic fare.  The hodgepodge of different dishes can serve as conversation starters and really please a crowd!

Plan the perfect potluck with online invitations and potluck sign up sheets.  See how.

• Minimize fuss and maximize flavor using as many fresh, seasonal ingredients in your menu as possible. As thirsts increase during the summer, appetites for heavy recipes shrink. Opt for salads and grilled food in place of stews and casseroles. A cheery summer salad, a colorul  and a creamy, delicious potato salad will have picnickers drooling. Take advantage of fresh summer fruit and bring the fixings for strawberry shortcake with tons of whipped cream.
   
• Be sure to keep your guests supplied with cool beverages such as lemonade, sparkling water or iced tea. Encourage your guests to stay hydrated by providing coolers and tubs of ice filled with canned and bottled drinks. Drinks, munching on juicy fruits or enjoying a popsicle or frozen treat will keep your guest cool.
   
• Colorful dishes help to create a festive mood, it's cheaper than buying disposables if you host a lot of summer parties. Malamine or other plastic materials allow you to create a multitude of looks from simple chic to savvy sophistication, depending on your picnic theme.
   
• Start your barbecue or picnic at midday when the light is bright and fills your crowd with energy. Try a picnic at a lake, the beach, local park, mountain trail or botanic gardens. Anything that is scenic and convenient will work. Change the venue and watch your crowd loosen up with the change of scenery.
   
• Stage your party in the shade, on a cool patio or under some trees. If your locations lacks shade, consider renting canopies, tents or market umbrellas. If you entertain often, you may want to consider purchasing a misting hose or misting fan. Sprinklers are a fun way for kids to beat the heat. You can even fill a kiddie pool with icy water, and let guests cool their feet.
   
• To spice up your picnic, serve cocktails at dusk when the backdrop of sunset makes guests feel their most glamorous. Light up the night with candles that will give your celebration a gilded glow.

Posted by Helena LaGarde

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