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Since many of you will be celebrating the 4th of July tomorrow and for the rest of you who might be planning a picnic this summer, here are 10 tips that will help the picnic be a success!
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1. Make it interesting. Make picnic foods easy and interesting to eat - think finger food. Salad in boxes takes up much room, instead stuff pita breads with goat's cheese and handfuls of salad - two in one.
2. Things to avoid. Avoid ice creams, sticky puddings and cakes - apart from that they are fragile to transport, wasps and other insects love them.
3.
Make it simple. Ensure all picnic foods are simple to transport and not too heavy to carry. Some picnic spots are isolated with a long walk to reach them. Opt for light plastic plates and cutlery.....you could use paper however you will still have to carry out your garbage/remains and using re-usable plastic saves on the landfill sites.
4.
Make it few; make it well. Prepare just a few things and do them well. Items you
know your family/company will devour. Being in the fresh air makes one hungry so ensure you have enough for the amount of people in your party.
5.
All at the same time. Choose foods to serve all at the same time. The fun of a picnic is to spread all the food on the blanket and let everyone laze around, helping themselves.
6.
Plan carefully. Plan carefully how much food you might eat. Take too much and you will have to carry it all back. I find a large jar of iced tea or iced water is the item everyone returns to the most.
7.
Keep it cool. Use cool bags or an icebox - picnic hampers look lovely but often are heavy to carry. Cool bags will keep food at the correct temperature to help prevent any risk of food poisoning.
8.
Think smart and make it easy. Put small bottles of water/juice in the freezer for a few hours before the picnic. These can then double up as chiller blocks to keep food cool and when you reach your picnic spot, the drinks will still be cold. They also double up as a glass/cup to refill from the jug of drink that you bring along!
9.
What you must take. Sunglasses and the all important sunblock. Napkins or hand wipes...bugs love sticky fingers! A good, reliable bug spray. Bags to take all your rubbish home in. Please leave the picnic spot perfect for the next family to enjoy or for your family to enjoy once again!
10.
What not to take. A bad attitude.
Enjoy the day, the sunshine, the time with the kids/company. Take in the beauty that surrounds you. Fill your tummy with delicious food and relax. This is what summer is all about!
Remember to give your loved ones a hug!
