What makes a ‘perfect picnic’? 

Hopefully, summer comes with much warmer weather, which means more time spent outside enjoying the sunshine. One way to make the most of this season is picnics, a great opportunity to spend time with your friends and enjoy some lovely food. Although the idea is great, it is often difficult to know how to find the perfect spot and what food to make. After reading this article, there is no doubt that you will be an expert in creating your very own perfect picnic.  

But who came up with the idea of picnics? Picnics have existed for centuries, but they started gaining popularity in 18th-century France. It quickly spread across the globe because of how cheap and accessible it is. Although picnics have always been popular, in recent years, due to social media apps such as Pinterest and TikTok, picnics have surged in popularity and become a global trend.  

A personal favourite is a selection of picky bits, including salads, pasta and meat or vegetable skewers, which you can easily buy at your local supermarket

In order to create a perfect picnic, there are some non-negotiables that you need. The first step is to find your ideal spot. This is crucial, as finding the right spot can either make or break your picnic. It is important to find somewhere with the right balance of sun and shade, so you can still enjoy the sunshine and take some refuge in the shade if needed. On and around campus, there are plenty of places to host your picnic, including Cryfield Hill and Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa. Once you have found your spot, it’s time to lay down your blankets, play some tunes, and start setting up your picnic. 

Undoubtedly, food is the most important part of a picnic. Firstly, you must use cool bags and ice packs when transporting your food to keep it fresh and safe to eat.  With a picnic, there are no set rules on what foods you should bring, meaning the combinations are endless! A typical and easy picnic would include sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, and crisps. You can either make this at home, or simply pop to your nearest Tesco and grab your favourite meal deal. However, you can take this to the next level! Incorporating some more inventive dishes into your picnic can make your picnic that much more special and enjoyable. These dishes can include quiche or pie, which you can make from home or buy from your local supermarket. A personal favourite is a selection of picky bits, including salads, pasta and meat or vegetable skewers, which you can easily buy at your local supermarket. Another popular element of the picky bits is crisps and dips. Although popular dips such as hummus and guacamole are extremely tasty, supermarkets such as M&S have been stepping up their game when it comes to dips. They released their fully loaded dips, including a fully loaded Indian style dip and a fully loaded Caesar Salad dip. These dips can be an amazing addition to your picnic, along with some crisps, tortilla chips or crudites.  

A fresh can of your favourite soft or alcoholic drink can be the perfect remedy to give you that desperately needed refreshment from basking in the sun all day

It is also essential that you bring plenty of water with you so that you can stay hydrated in the heat. You can also get a wider selection of drinks. Drink cans are often easy to transport and remain cold for longer. With cans, there is no need to transport extra glasses or plastic cups, making your job much easier! A fresh can of your favourite soft or alcoholic drink can be the perfect remedy to give you that desperately needed refreshment from basking in the sun all day.  

Now, a picnic is not complete without a sweet treat. It can often be challenging to transport sweet treats without them melting, so again, make sure to use your cool bag with plenty of ice packs. You can bring some fresh ice lollies, the perfect way to make the most of the warm weather. If you are in the park and hear the familiar tune of an ice cream van, treat yourself to a Mr Whippy! Recently, many have been bringing cakes along to their picnic, and using drinking glasses to dig in to give themselves a piece. This is a great way to enjoy your sweet treat mess-free and a great opportunity to take some aesthetic photos. 

Overall, picnics are an amazing way to make the most of the warmer, sunny weather. Either taking yourself on a solo picnic date or going on one with friends and family can be an amazing way to spend time in nature, destress, and enjoy some delicious food!