The good weather finally feels at home and if you don't have any special plans for the next days, maybe the sun with you in your side of the world and you can get ready your picnic basket. The weather in Berlin is getting incredibly better and better. It is that time of the year when all my grey thoughts about relocation to a sunnier place are vanishing instantly. How can I leave such a beautiful city when the flowers are in full bloom everywhere and the sun is so lovely?
Perfect time for spending more time outside! What about a picnic? It's a great opportunity to bring together family and friends, while enjoying a great time, doing activities, eating and talking.
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| A perfect picnic set at Harvey Nichols Food Market in London |
But what should you have in your basket? What the investment in such an adventure might be? How much time you will need to prepare the event? What is the dress code?
I set up a list of tips and hints that can help you to have the perfect picnic experience.
- Find out the location. If you don't want or can't drive, the destination will limit probably the choice of the items to carry on. If you plan to go in a park near your house, it will be relatively easy to eventually go back home if you need something.
- If there are more people involved in the picnic event, try to set up in due time the list of ingredients that should be bought and delegate the responsibilities in a kind, not-patronizing way. The maximum amount of time for the preparation of such a event can be 10 days - if you have a sure weather forecast. If you are working full time and/or if you are a busy mother, the sooner the better.
- If you plan a bigger gathering, send the invitations as soon as possible and don't forget to set a reminder and check at least twice if the preparations are fine. Eventually, let know the people from the list where you plan to go and for how much time they can find you there. Maybe they are spontaneous enough to pop up over at a certain moment.
The following list includes the minimal items that I suggest to have in mind when preparing the picnic basket list:
- basket - in the last years special baskets are on the market, some of them provided with various temperature facilities that will help to keep your champagne or coke bottles cold, although outside is boiling hot.
- blanket - try to find out a special blanket with a leather-like end: thus, you should not worry that the earth and grass will damage it.
- disposable items - I use during the week a lot of plastic knives, forks, plates, glasses, especially when I am busy enough to not have enough time to wash the dishes. It is a cheap and practical investment.
- napkins. If you have a thematic picnic - birthday or anniversary, or friends-getting-together - you can find a lot of options in line with your subject.
- trash bags - because you might want to let other people to enjoy the great time, isn't it?
- moist napkins and travel soap bottle - especially if you have children, you should be careful to provide the highest health standards
- The food list can include: boiled eggs, bread or crackers, biscuits, bonbons or jellies, season fruits - I prefer bananas and water melon as I don't have to wash them, for instance - and veggies - tomatoes are always the top priority, but also the cucumber because is fresh -, sandwiches of different kind, French fries and pizza - if you like them cold, of course - salads, water or juices, soluble coffee, salt, pepper and condiments, mayo and ketchup, cakes, muffins. Try to carry items who can resist without being in the fridge for longer periods of time, that are healthy and energizing, and not too heavy either.
- For the children and family activities: boardgames, cards, arrows, balls, badminton set, kite, skateboard, hula hop.
- For the adults, a Kindle or a book, can help you enjoy your time in a smarter way. I would not necessarily recommend a music background, as either it increases isolation if you want to listen to your iPod, or can bother the other people neighbouring your blanket.
Last but not least, charge your phone the day before - there are no chargers in parks - forget to take your laptop or any device that can separate you from the group and carry on a camera to get some nice memories and maybe encourage others to follow your example soon.
The minimal investment can be of around 40 Euro, if you do the smart shopping, checking out the last offers and discounts.
As for the dressing code, try to wear sport shoes and large sport clothes - I usually have some long dresses and skirts especially for such activities. If you plan to stay longer, carry a hoodie or a jacket.
If the weather will be sunny, maybe you can find also a big umbrella to protect you against the sun. If it's not too heavy, you can get some special fishermen's like chair if you don't necessarily like to sit on the blanket.
Ready for the picnic? On Sunday or in the afternoon, there is never too late or too early to have your picnic basket ready!
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