10 Tips for Throwing the Perfect Picnic for Pennies

Katie is sharing her tips for throwing the perfect picnic:

It is one of the most fun and frugal activities you can do all summer…enjoy a lovely picnic with someone you love! Picnics are a wonderful way to get outdoors, take in some fresh air, and enjoy a meal together without having to visit a pricey or crowded restaurant. If you love the idea of a picnic but on a budget, take a look below at ten tips for throwing the perfect picnic for pennies! No matter how many are in your picnic party, you can enjoy a fun and frugal picnic that will make you feel like you are on vacation. Picnics can definitely be turned into an experience rather than just a meal on the lawn. Take a look below at how easy it is and how you can enjoy one this weekend!

10 Tips to Throwing the Perfect Picnic for Pennies:

1. Look for lovely linens.
A scratchy old blanket just won’t do. Find a colorful tablecloth or sheet even for you to lay out on. You want something large that will cover the ground well and give you lots of space, plus feel fresh and inviting.

2. Add some musical ambiance.
Music is a great way to add mood to your picnic. An iPod loaded with your favorite tunes is a great way to set a fun or relaxing theme. Amazon offers free downloads all of the time so take advantage of these.

3. Let there be light.
Even if you picnic mid afternoon, a candle is a great way to add some charm as well as keep bugs at bay! A citronella candle is perfect for this task.

4. Pack real dishes.
There is something about eating off of real plates. If you can, pack real dishes to use. This is also better for the environment since you won’t be tossing trash away. Just bring a plastic baggie to take them home in to wash.

5. Fresh flowers are fun!
Why not set out a vase of fresh wildflowers? Or you can grab inexpensive clippings from your own yard? It will really set the tone of this fun and fresh picnic and make it feel special.

6. Get fizzy.
A bottle of sparkling water or sparkling juice can make the picnic feel fabulous for just a few bucks. Bring your own flutes to drink your bubbly in and feel like you are rich and famous!

7. Bring on the games.
A board game can be a fun after meal activity. Bring a board game or deck of cards from home so you can have some fun down time while your food digests. You can even bring a ball to kick around or play catch with.

8. Poetry anyone?
Bring your favorite books and enjoy some poetry and creative writing together. There is something about the outdoors and listening to these artful works that is so relaxing.

9. Bring a variety of fun foods.
You don’t need a certain theme, just bring a variety of picnic friendly foods that are easy to pack and eat. Bring lunch meat and cheese to make your own subs, a veggies tray, fruit salad, cold pasta salads, or even tuna wraps to get your picnic off to a great start. Ideal desserts are cupcakes since they are small and easy to pack and eat. Or opt for bite size brownies!

10. Don’t forget the camera.
This is an adventure, so treat it like one! Snap a few pictures to remember your outing and all of the fun you had. The more special you treat the picnic, the more special of an occasion it will feel.

So gather your food, your blanket, and your loved ones. There is no better time to enjoy a picnic than now! You don’t need to spend a lot or invest a great deal of time or resources. As you can see, the perfect picnic can be found for just pennies and is right at your fingertips. Enjoy!