If you’re a fan of picnics, now is the best time to do so because April 23 is National Picnic Day. The reason for such a day all goes back to 1789 after the royal parks were opened to the public for the first time after the French Revolution.
From the French word “piquenique,” picnic means a meal eaten outdoors—people brought food to the park to relax and have fun.
Here’s how to recreate and bring those picnic photos on Pinterest to life:
Prepare other picnic essentials
Though the main essentials of a picnic are simply its food, drinks, and the place where to set up and eat, these humble elements can be elevated to transform a mundane luncheon into an alfresco fete.
Let’s start the list with a sturdy and comfortable picnic blanket to sit and spread your picnic needs on. A best blanket would be one with waterproof lining on one side to keep you dry when the grass or sand is damp.
Up next is your picnic basket. What is a picnic without a picnic basket that holds your picnic essentials such as food, drinks, tables and utensils, table napkin? Don’t forget to bring a cooler to keep your drinks cold and preserve your food. And make your feast more extra with aesthetic dinnerware, and tablescape essentials. Local brand Shop Saudade PH (@shopsaudadeph on Instagram) has you covered in this department. You will be inspired to take your picnic or even your dinner to a whole new level with its Instagram content.
Decors and props
When you search “Picnic” on Pinterest, most photo results contain flowers, candles, books and throw pillows as decorations. Nature might be the best backdrop this world can offer but decorative items bring the main identity of your feast.
For rustic and eclectic feels, go for the trending dried flowers from Dried Flowers PH (@driedflowersph on Instagram). Light some scented candles to make the ambiance more relaxing. Bliss in Light Candles (@blissinlightcandles on Instagram) offers beautifully made and scented hand-poured soy wax candles in tin can and in glass.
Prepare food and drinks
A picnic does not have any specific food requirement, but it’s best to bring food that is handy and easy to eat like sandwiches, cakes or salad bowls. If you want a hassle-free food preparation, you can order food from food delivery apps like FoodPanda and have it delivered straight to your picnic location.
For your drinks, cold cuts, snacks or other essentials like alcohol and tissue, you can order from Cebu’s first online supermarket, Cloud Kart, through its website www.cloudkart.ph. Just like food delivery apps, Cloud Kart delivers just minutes away from when you placed your orders. Just make sure to check-out your order before 4 p.m. though. And if you prefer a curated graze box or canapés, Salt by John Mark can do it perfectly for you. Its graze boxes contain all the premium delectable goodness you can mix and match that will surely make your picnic extra special.
Entertainment
Set the mood right with music. In this digital world, it’s incredibly easy to save a nice playlist on your phone and connect it to USB portable speakers.
Make the alfresco banquet more memorable and enjoyable by preparing some games like the classic charades, or card and board games.
Don’t forget your sun and Covid-19 protection. Too much unprotected sun exposure can cause skin damage and eye damage, or worst skin cancer, so best to wear eye protection like sunglasses from Sunnies Studios for a fashionable pair of eye protection, and to complete your OOTD (outfit of the day). Apply some sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays such as Beauty Affair Face and Slimming Hub’s sun cream.
Don’t forget to observe physical distancing, sanitize, wash your hands with alcohol, and wear your mask after eating.
If the weather does not cooperate, have a picnic in your living room floor. Share your photos on social media using #NationalPicnicDay and tag us at @livesunstar because we’d love to see how you celebrate this day.