Decorating Guides
Summer Picnic Essentials
Celebrate the Height of Summer with Stylish Picnic Accessories
When it comes to the Fourth of July, most Americans are thinking about the basics — good food, good drink, and lots of fireworks. This peak-of-summer holiday seems to always come around on the hottest, sunniest day of the year, giving us a good excuse to go outside and embrace the sunshine. A picnic takes advantage of all of the things that make this holiday so fun. Pack up some good ol' potato salad, burgers, and lemonade, and strut your finest red, white, and blue gear in the great outdoors. Here are 13 items (in honor of the original 13 colonies, of course) to help make your picnic tasty, easy and fun.
There's something so wonderfully sentimental about picnics, but sometimes the practicality of trying to eat on a soft, grassy knoll can kill the mood. This bamboo wine glass holder and tray solves all of those problems! Just stick it into the ground, and you have a stationary platform for whatever warm-weather goodie you're snacking on (and an accompanying glass of wine, of course).
So simple, but so smart! This cute paper napkin has a slit in it that's just the right size for three pieces of silverware. You know that awkward silverware and napkin holding issue that tends to happen at picnic buffets? This little guy solves that — and with those red stripes, it can help create a perfect Fourth of July place setting too.
These bottles are the perfect thing for bringing something delicious to drink to your picnic. The seals are airtight and hermetic with a clamp closure that keeps everything inside fresh. While it comes in a variety of colors, I'm personally partial to this rather patriotic blue.
Tiffins are the perfect food storage solution for a picnic. These stainless steel tins clip tightly shut with handy carrying handles — the perfect anti-plastic solution for summer treats. There's even a picnic set that includes enough containers to easily feed six people.
How great are these beach blankets? I love the preppy stripes, and the light fabric is so easy to fold up and tuck into a basket for easy carrying. It's the perfect size for a spur-of-the moment picnic, and will help keep you warm while watching the fireworks.
My mom gave me a Longaberger basket for Easter when I was in 5th grade. At the time, I thought it was a pretty lame gift, but almost two decades later, this basket is as sturdy and beautiful as the day I got it. It's lasted through backyard adventures, overnight camping trips, and even a brief stint as a makeup case in college. Needless to say, when it comes to baskets, Longaberger knows their stuff. This picnic basket couldn't get any more classic.
This radio is pure '50s perfection. It has such a distinct vintage, Americana feel, and the fact that it's been reworked with a modern sound makes it so much better. It's also been outfitted with an LED display backlighting and is MP3 compatible. The perfect companion while you're toasting some weenies at the grill.
Serve up a plate of fruit and cheese on this rustic, made-in-the-USA cutting board. Made from native Minnesota ash wood, this board was made by hand by a family of woodworkers. It works great as a cutting board on the go, and doubles as a beautiful serving board. The wood is soft but sturdy, and has been cured, sanded, and finished with food-grade mineral oil.
Dying to have some burgers at your Fourth of July picnic, but venturing to a locale without barbecues? Life just got a whole lot easier, thanks to the Element portable gas grill from Fuego. Legs fold up for convenience, and most removable parts are dishwasher-safe. The grill includes a non-stick drip tray. It's the perfect way to serve up some delicious ribs without worrying about charcoal or a big clean-up afterwards.
Few things disrupt a picnic more than a swarm of bees or flies hovering around your soon-to-be-eaten meal. This simple mesh dome keeps your red, white, and blue jello protected from insects, and adds a bit of patriotic color to your place setting to boot.
Catering an outdoor extravaganza with some picky kids (or adults!) in attendance? Customize everyone's dessert with the super speedy and easy to use Zoku Duo Quick Pop Maker. This compact machine can make six popsicles (two at a time, although they sell larger models as well) before needing to go back in the freezer to get cool again.
Forget the fancy glassware, tupperware, and vases — nothing works better than a simple, classic, Ball Mason Jar. This jar has been a huge part of American food history — from pickling, to canning, to storing some lemonade to-go, the Ball Mason Jar serves infinite purposes and serves them well. Use them to store homemade salad dressing, or serve a spritzy summer drink.
Help your guests remember which mason jar is theirs with these adorable chalkboard hang tags. A thin piece of wood covered in chalkboard paint, these great tags work wonders as drink labels, adding a fun, vintage vibe to your picnic setup.
More ideas:
Guest Picks: Fourth of July Market Picks
Mrs. Lilien's Punchy Patio
Happy Fourth!
More ideas:
Guest Picks: Fourth of July Market Picks
Mrs. Lilien's Punchy Patio
Happy Fourth!
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