The art of the picnic

As the air gets chilly here in Saint Paul, I am still looking forward to the picnics to be had until the snow covers the ground. I know the resounding worry has been “what will the fall bring?” because of the pandemic and the luxury we have right now to gather outside with less concern than if we were indoors. I think it has been weighing especially hard on those of us who are living in a climate where being outside is sometimes impossible, due to snow storms and negative wind chills that could kill you. Here in Minnesota, we are in fact used to getting days off due to snow and cold temperatures, so thinking about the upcoming winter and the risk of gathering indoors due to covid is definitely fueling new anxieties.

I don’t have a solution for worrying, aside from committing to having as many picnics as I can until the weather changes. I don’t know about you, but it has been the spring and summer of picnicking for me. I don’t think I’ve had this many picnics since I studied abroad in Florence. We were always congregating just in time for the sunset, at the rose garden or Piazzale Michelangelo or along the Arno. Anywhere to just sit and take a break from the day before the night began. I adored picnicking, and fell in love with it even more in Paris where the Seine was the backdrop, romantic palaces lining the river and antique boats gliding before us. I had a few while I was living in Rome, but not as many. I was always in giro in that city!!

Anyways, early on in the spring my friend and I started having picnics as a way to see each other safely. I then started hosting picnics with anyone and everyone, and since have really upgraded my picnic game in terms of food, drink, blanket, etc. I wanted to make this post for anyone who is new to picnic, or even the seasoned pro who wants some fresh ideas. As my friend commented, Americans have started to embrace a bit of a European lifestyle due to the pandemic, taking family strolls, eating in the parks, cooking dinner together, and just in general not having a million activities every night like they might have before. It is refreshing to think about this. Even I have found myself grateful for the extra time to just be present, especially if it’s with my friends surrounded by a beautiful picnic.

Below you will find anything and everything you need to create your own beautiful picnic, pandemic time or not.

THE VISION

The best place to start is with a vision of the kind of picnic you are trying to achieve. Start with a color or a theme and go from there when assembling your items. My ideal picnic setting has a breezy Mediterranean feel, as if I’m sitting on a hillside admiring an ancient church, or lounging on the beach watching the waves crash on the rocks. I like to keep everything in muted, natural tones, with a pop of blue thanks to the blanket I bought in Positano. Once you have an idea of vision, Ikea, Paper Source, and World Market are great places to shop for the accessories you’ll need.

Other great ideas for setting the mood is to think of past picnics. I’d love to recreate the ones I had in Paris, and for that I would use bolder colors like reds and golds, with rich textures in the form of blankets and glassware. Really anything goes, so let your imagination run wild to inspire the kind of setting you desire.

THE BAG OR BASKET

You don’t have to have a fancy picnic basket to have a picnic. Although, I found a few sitting in my parent’s basement were in mint condition. Other options include, but are not limited to:

Beach bag
Large purse like a Longchamp (will fit a baguette, tried and tested in Paris)
Reusable shopping tote, like a Baggu

Something to also consider is a small cooler. I bought a cute one from Ikea over the summer, and it’s the best for transporting food and drinks in the warm summer weather!

THE BLANKET

Like I mentioned, I like to use a light beach blanket that I bought in Italy a few years ago. It’s the perfect size for stowing in my bag, but big enough that I can sit comfortably on it. Lately I have been using it as the middle blanket to put in between my friend and I, so we have a place to set our food. Then I bring a bigger, thicker quilt or blanket to sit on. Here are a few other ideas, which I sometimes use in addition (you can never have too many blankets):

Homemade quilt
Old comforter, or one you buy just for picnics
Woven Mexican blanket
Top sheet

THE TABLEWARE

I say table but really we could say “the groundware” or the “blanketware” in this case. I have yet to invest in some real plates but they are high on my list. Try to choose strong plates that will withstand wind, and avoid any plastics that are bad for the Earth.

In terms of silverware, it’s always okay to just borrow from home. Or, choose a set that goes with your theme and keep them tucked in your basket, ready for the next excursion.

For drinks, it’s okay to ask everyone to bring their own tumbler (most of my friends have them for wine, they make a great gift). But if not, bring reusable glasses for everyone. These are something you can easily buy, just look for glassware that’s meant for the outdoors. Or if you’d like to up your picnic game, do real glassware. Why not!?

Another thing to consider is a tray. I bought one recently from Ikea that is lightweight and perfect for picnics! That way, the food and utensils aren’t being set on the ground.

THE FOOD

This is where things can get interesting! It all depends on what time of day you are meeting, if it’s going to be a full meal or a snack, and whether you want to do the prep or not. I’ll list some ideas below, and of course note that it’s important to take covid precautions in terms of sharing food. My friends and I typically will package the food at home in separate containers for each guest, this way no one is touching other people’s share.

“The takeout picnic”

Probably the easiest option, just order takeout from a local restaurant and bring it along! This is a great way to support small businesses in your neighborhood, maybe especially the ones who don’t have outdoor seating and are struggling because of the pandemic. For a list of my favorite places in the Twin Cities, check out this blog post. My top choices for picnics are Cafe Latte, Punch Pizza, and Due Focacceria.

“The snack picnic”

This is perfect if you’re meeting in the afternoon, and want something to eat to go along with a drink. I love to do it Italian aperitivo style, so assorted cheese, meats, olives, vegetables, sliced fruit, etc. It’s also okay to keep it super simple, with chips or pretzels.

“The dinner picnic”

Yes, this is possible even if you don’t do takeout. My friend has made spaghetti al limone and brought it to picnics, in individual containers for each of us. Another time I made homemade pizza focaccia, cut into easy to eat slices. You could also keep it simple with sandwiches or pasta salad.

“The dessert picnic”

The perfect option for an after-dinner rendezvous. I often cheat and pick up the variety pack of bars from my local grocer (the sea salt caramel brownies are to die for), but you could also bake cookies or share a slice of cake. For my local readers: Cafe Latte makes their famous tres leches cake in cupcake form. Is there anything better!?

THE DRINK

Saved the best for last! Technically it isn’t legal to drink in public in the United States (which is always a harsh reality when I return from Europe, let’s be honest), but I won’t tell if you won’t tell. A bottle of sparkling water is always a nice touch so everyone stays hydrated. If you’re bringing a cocktail, I always find it easiest to premake them at home and bring in a reusable water bottle or tumbler. It totally depends on what you’re having to eat, but here are the drinks I usually gravitate towards:

A bottle of wine (red if it’s cold, rose or white if it’s hot)
Aperol spritz (1 part prosecco, 1 part aperol, 1 part soda water)
Hard ciders (rekordling and fair state are my favorite brands)
Beer (I love light Italian beers or Guinness, depending on what’s to eat)

Your picnic packing list:

Blanket
Basket or bag
Corkscrew for wine
Utensils
Cups
Napkins
Plates
Cooler
Bag for trash
Food
Drink
Sunglasses
Hand sanitizer
Speaker for music