Tips for a Perfect Picnic

Summer and early fall is the perfect time for picnics, whether it is a romantic evening picnic with your lover or a huge family picnic. If you take some simple steps you can have a wonderful picnic.

1. First, when you make your plans watch the weather. Nothing ruins a picnic better than a hearty rain shower. If you can, plan your picnic in a place that does provide outdoor cover, even if the weather person is predicting a nice sunny day.

2. Think throw away when it comes to your dishes. You can even buy some nice size serving dishes now that come with plastic with lids that you can just toss away after the picnic.

3. Make sure you have enough drinks and a variety of them, if you are planning a huge picnic. Ice tea and lemonade are usually great crowd pleasers.

4. Don't forget the ice. In these hot days, the coldest of drinks will get warm fast when served outside.

5. Make sure you have lids to cover all your foods, to keep out pesky bugs and ants.

6. If you are serving foods with mayonnaise such as potato salads, macaroni salads and deviled eggs, be sure that everyone eats before the mayo has a chance to spoil. (This also goes for all milk based products).

7. Don't forget condiments like ketchup and mustard if you are serving hot-dogs and hamburgers.

8. Take along plastic table clothes or sheets to cover the picnic tables (especially if you are going to a city park)

9. Be sure to have extra spoons and forks, as well as serving utensils.

10. Napkins and paper towels are a must for cleaning up any messes. You may also want to add a wet wash cloth (place it in a zippered plastic bag) and a towel to your list.

11. You may want to brink along bug candles especially if it is evening time to help with the mosquitoes.

12. Add fruits to your food list. Fruits are easy to pack and eat, plus they are a great source of sugar.

13. If you planning on doing much cutting (vegetables or fruits) you may want to include a small plastic cutting board.

14. Don't forget a first aid kit, calamine lotion and sun screen. The first aid kit is a must if you are going to a picnic with kids.