We’ve been saying for weeks now that Spring is almost here, but honestly, this time, we can feel it! At least we think?
While brainstorming about Spring and all the joys and excitement around it, we got on the topic of picnics — primarily how wonderful they are. This time of year, when buds are just starting to open, the air is still a bit crisp from winter, and everyone is ready to take in some Vitamin D, one of our favorite things to do is meet friends and family outdoors, take a few snacks, and enjoy a picnic! There are few things more simple and more guaranteed to help you enjoy the start of a new season than getting outdoors and taking it all in. But of course, we wouldn’t be Ballard Designs if we didn’t suggest you at least picnic in style, would we?
Below are a few of our favorite ways to turn a simple picnic into an impossibly chic outing to celebrate Springtime.
5 Must-Have Items for a Stylish Picnic
1. The Carry-All
We’re in love with our burlap tote bags because there are just so many uses for them, so it’s no surprise we included this classic on our list. With its wipeable interior, our Ballard Tote Bag makes for an impeccable carry-all for whatever favorite picnics treats you’re planning to pack up. It’s also big enough to carry the rest of the items in this list, any food stuffs, and maybe even if a bottle of wine!
2. Park-Proof Dinnerware
To take your average picnic to a more stylish level, we love the idea of packing up some melamine dishes, whether you’re using them to spread out all your favorite cheeses, or looking to serve pasta salads or sandwiches on them. Our Rosa Melamine Dinnerware can go anywhere you go, plus you can take them straight out of your picnic ‘basket’ and throw them right into the dishwasher!
3. Paris-Inspired Linens
It’s no secret that Parisians love to picnic, so it’s perfectly serendipitous that one of our newest table linen collections is inspired by the French! We love bringing true table linens on our picnics for two reasons because it gives any outdoor get-together added style. Pack up napkins that complement your melamine dinnerware, and you’re ready to go!
4. Not-So-Glassware
While these aqua drinking glasses look breakable, they’re anything but! They’re actually durable, easy care acrylic so there’s no reason you can’t pop them right into your picnic basket with the rest of your supplies. We opted for a set in our cool spa color, but you can choose from any four of our color options.
5. Setting the Mood with LEDs
While flameless LED candles may not be at the top of your picnic list, we think you should add them into your basket next time! When the mood strikes you to enjoy the evening’s sunset, you might appreciate the added glow of these battery-operated candles. Just a few of these will give your picnic that warm luster!
Picnic-Ready Food Stuffs
We couldn’t round up our favorite picnic ideas without mentioning food could we? Below are some of our favorite snacks for when you’re heading out to the park:
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- Cheese Plate and Charcuterie Board — Just a few of your favorite cheeses, thinly sliced cured meats, and some crackers make for an easy-to-eat and easy-to-pack picnic entrée
- Gourmet Olives — Marinated olives from a gourmet food store are easy to eat with your fingers, and go great with cheese and crackers!
- -Hummus & Pita — A simple cracker and dip option is a no-fail picnic food. We love a flavorful hummus paired with pita or even carrots!
- Pasta Salads — While it isn’t necessarily finger food, pasta salads are easy to transport and are quite refreshing on a warm Spring day!
- Caprese Salad Skewers — Layer rounds of mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves on a skewer for a make-ahead picnic snack that’s chic and refreshing.
- Roasted Chickpeas — Roast chickpeas in a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper for a few minutes, and they turn into a delightfully crunchy snack that is easy to wrap up and throw in your picnic basket. Because they’re packed with protein, they’re filling too!
- Fruit Salad — Chop a variety of fruits and store them in lidded bowl for a simple crowd-pleasing treat.
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What is your favorite treat for taking on a picnic? Any other easy ideas we should know about?[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
