As Spring is finally here and gracing us with beautiful blooms and blue skies - it’s the perfect time to plan a picnic with friends and family! If you want to make your day out a breeze, follow our simple tips for packing up a flawless picnic spread! 

Plan your menu

Decide on your menu with transport and spoilage in mind. Opt for dishes that are easy to carry and won’t deteriorate in warm weather, but always pack ice packs and use a cooler back to keep things in tip top condition.

• Sandwiches and wraps are ideal for picnicking on a rug. Cucumber and cheese sandwiches are a crowd favourite and cater for any veggies you might be dining with! 
• A fresh, herby pasta salad with sundried tomato is always a crowd pleaser. Top tip; portion into individual sizes for ultra convenience.  
• Cheese and charcuterie are perfect for grazing - add olives for bonus points! 
• Don’t forget about dessert! Be sure to pop a couple of packs of delicious Great Temptations Gluten Free Orange and Poppyseed and Double Choc Chip into your picnic bag. A sure fire crowd pleaser, and safe for your Coeliac friends too. 

Pack the essentials

A little goes a long way when  packing for a picnic. Consider these little extras to make your day even easier and more comfortable. 

• Picnic rugs add a layer of comfort, protect from ants and a wet bottom! Nice patterned ones add some charm and colour to your picnic. 
• If you’re bringing a real spread, bring a folding table and tablecloth so you can present your food elegantly. Folding chairs are also great if you’re settling in for a full afternoon.  
• Don’t forget your reusable plates and cutlery - eco friendly is the way to go. 
• Napkins or wet wipes are great for easy cleanup when it’s all over.  

Drink Options

It’s not all about the food, beverages are just as important! Hydration is key for a long and comfortable afternoon picnic. 

• Water is an essential to any day, of course! You could add a dash of lemon juice or flavoursome mint to make it extra refreshing and cleansing. 
• Coffee or Tea. Store in a thermos to keep it hot all afternoon. No-one likes a cold cuppa! Make sure you bring some milk and your mugs too. 
• Soft Drink or Fruit Juice. Opt for the refreshing fizz or natural sweetness, depending on your mood and preference! 

Extra Handy Items

It's often the little things we don’t think about that make the world of difference.

• Ice Packs are especially essential for warm days. Put in your esky or insulated bag to keep food fresh and cool. 
• Chopping boards and a knife. You never know if you need to do some last minute prep - or divide up the desert. Sharing is caring! 
• Bottle opener. If you’re bringing a bottled beverage, you’ll need one of these. Sometimes people have one on their keyring - but you never know!
• Garbage bag. Essential for the clean up at the end of the picnic. You need to make it look as if no one was there when you leave :) 

Make it comfy

• Cushions. To avoid a sore bottom or stiff hips! Choose some colourful ones for a bit of fun and pretty aesthetic.
• Sunscreen, hats and long sleeve tops. Getting sunburnt is definitely not ideal, and may sizzle the fun. For a warmer day, be sure to bring sun protection.  
• Insect repellent. Especially for the evenings - those mosquitos are sometimes a little too friendly!  
• Blankets. Sometimes it chills down in the late afternoon. You can keep those conversations rolling a while longer with some warmth! 

Entertainment

To engage and have fun, you could bring any of the following - especially if picnicking with kids with short attention spans!

• Games. Compact card games are perfect for picnicking.Try simple space-saving card games like Monopoly Deal, Top Trumps and Uno.
• Frisbees, soccer balls, cricket bats and ring toss are great things to bring to get a bit of friendly competition going and burn off those picnic treats.
• Music. There's nothing like some lovely music to get the atmosphere going. Bring your portable speakers and play some nice background music. There are some great picnic playlists available on listening platforms if you need some crowd pleasers!