Choosing The Right Picnic Basket or Backpack for You

Under a great oak tree, near the water's edge, in a family park or perhaps simply under the stars. Any of these picturesque settings are excellent for the relaxing quality of a picnic in the great outdoors. The mood, the smells, the activities--it's all part of the sensual and uplifting experience of sharing a meal with someone in the fresh air, whether it's a romantic picnic just for two, or fun for the entire family.

Along with your meal, there are also many outdoor activities to choose from when picnicking. Tag football, volleyball, horse shoes, bike riding and sight seeing are just a few that has made picnicking the mini vacation for busy Americans. The toughest decision is choosing between a picnic basket or a picnic backpack and what you would like it to come equipped with so that your picnicking experience is at its best. At Picnic-Basket.com, we make it simple for you to decide.

Traditional picnic baskets are elegant, attractive and come with beautiful place settings inside that are securely fastened to the basket walls. The baskets are durable, incredibly roomy and allow for the storage of several food containers along with the amenities that already come with the basket. At Picnic-Basket.com you can choose from a variety of styles to add to the theme and atmosphere of your picnic, as well. As for size, you can choose from picnic baskets for two, four or six to get the capacity and number of place settings you need for a convenient picnic.

Picnic backpacks are generally very tough, versatile, stylish and more secure for comfortable walks to your picnic site. These backpacks lend to a much more modern approach to picnicking and add convenience to your picnicking adventure by protecting its contents during hiking or bicycle riding. The shoulder straps on the bags are thick and have sewn-in padding like a traditional backpack for support and comfort while in use. Many of them come with wine totes and/or a rolled picnic blanket, which are strapped to the side of the bag, while the inside is traditionally loaded with place settings for two or four, the same as the baskets.

Once you have chosen the right basket or backpack, you may be looking for accessories or other picnicking amenities to improve your picnic experience. Extra place settings are an excellent way to beef up a picnic basket you already have when your picnicking group is large and we also carry matching totes in case your picnic basket or backpack gets full. For a comfortable place to sit while you eat, picnic tables, hammocks and beach chairs are an added luxury to your picnic collection.

Also excellent for comfortable picnicking are picnic coolers. Some coolers are on wheels and come complete with place settings but the best features of the picnic cooler are the size, ease of use and purpose. Keep your lunch items cold and safe while allowing yourself time to arrive at your picnic safely as the picnic coolers eliminate the fear that your food may spoil before you get to enjoy it.

4 Steps For Picnic Planning

The perfect picnic is the result of careful planning and making sure that you have as much under control as possible so you can enjoy the day. The following easy steps will give you the foundations for making sure your picnic is as stress-free as can be.

1. People. Who is going on the picnic? What age groups? By identifying your picnic party people you get some idea of the kind of place, food and activities that will be needed. How many people will be going? Who will be responsible for transportation?

2. Location. Once you know who is going to be invited on the picnic, you can choose a location that is suitable. For example, if you have children, a place near a play park, or with plenty of open space for them to run in is perfect. On the other hand, if you have elderly or mobility challenged people invited, then your perfect picnic place won't be too far from the car park, or in an area which is difficult to walk.

3. Food. Knowing your location and who you are feeding will help you to plan your menu for the perfect picnic. Does anyone in the picnic party have food allergies? Is your proposed picnic venue somewhere that has picnic tables, or will you be eating while sitting on the ground? If you have tables then you can be more adventurous with your catering and set a picnic requiring the use of silverware. If you are intending to eat on a blanket on the ground then finger food (with a small amount of silverware) will make the picnic more relaxed. Save small packets of condiments such as salt and ketchup from fast food outlets to use on picnics. Take a variety of drinks to suit everyone, keep juice concentrates cool by diluting it with half water and then adding ice cubes. If there is nowhere to purchase extra drinks in the area you are having the picnic, take more than you think you'll need as people will need more fluid if it's a hot day and they are taking part in activities. Where possible use plastic bottles rather than glass ones so there's less change of them being broken in transit.

4. Equipment. Take enough flatware and silverware for each member going on the picnic, plus a couple of extra settings just in case. Remember to pack a large blanket (or a number of beach towels if picnicking on the beach), even if you are going somewhere with picnic tables, just in case the tables are all occupied when you arrive at your chosen location. Remember to pack a large garbage bag for collecting all the scraps and empty packaging so that you leave your picnic area the way you found it - or better!

Consider what you will do on your picnic, and ensure that you have all the necessary items - such as a ball, fishing line or magazines. Then add to this some supplies which could be handy such as sun block (waterproof if you plan to swim or play in the water), mosquito repellent, first aid kit, and a large parasol which can double as an umbrella should the weather change.

Although you can't plan for all eventualities on your picnic, by planning and organizing before the event, you can cut down the potential for disaster. The weather is outside of your control but as long as you have taken care of everything that you can think of, then your work is done and the rest is for the clouds to decide!