It’s National Picnic Week! Laying on a blanket, sipping an ice-cold drink, and indulging in your favourite foods is an idyllic way to spend your day. It’s easy to find happiness when it’s picnic and garden party season – a chance to bask in the sunshine and spend some quality time with your family or maybe even dive into a summer read. We’re sharing Sophie’s top tips for planning a picnic and stylish garden party.
If you’re looking to host a garden picnic or party, then why not sign up for the National Garden Scheme’s Great British Garden Party? Think sunshine, cake, and flowers! Gather your friends and family for a garden get-together in aid of some of the UK’s best-loved nursing and health charities. Every penny you raise will make a difference.
The National Garden Scheme is one of our key charity partners, they give visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens whilst raising funds for key charities. The charities supported include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queen’s Nursing Institute and Parkinson’s UK.
Prepare your picnic spot
Cut the grass, water the plants, and create a shaded area in the garden so that friends and family can escape if the weather is too warm. Our gardening accessories will help make light work of your list of jobs. You could even hang some garden party decorations - bunting and string lights add a pretty aesthetic along with atmospheric lighting for when the sun goes down.
Prepare the essentials
Picnics might be the one time that it’s deemed ok to eat with your hands, but plates are essential for all of that picking and sharing you’ll be doing. Plus, would it even be a picnic without pretty plates? Melamine plates are the perfect go-to as they are lightweight and durable, so you don’t have to worry about any smashed crockery if there are any accidents. If it’s a fuss-free picnic you’re looking for, we suggest you prepare individual lunch boxes for the kids, so there’s no room for arguments about who gets what.
Picnic must-haves:
- Picnic food and drink
- Picnic basket – to keep food cool outside
- Picnic blanket
- Plates
- Cutlery
- Napkins
- Cushions and throws for extra comfort
- Rubbish bag
- Games
If you are thinking about hosting a Great British Garden Party with the National Garden scheme, then why have a cake sale with friends and family too? Whether you raise £5 or £50, every penny will make a difference to the vital nursing and health charities they support.
Keep it cool
A frozen bottle of water serves as a great cooler for your picnic bag and a refreshing beverage once the ice has melted. Frozen grapes are also a tasty ice cube alternative to give drinks a fruity flavour and will help to keep you refreshed for your day under the sun. If you have an ice bucket, fill it up for serving ice cold drinks.
Say bye to bugs
Cupcake cases are handy for stopping tiny creatures from crawling into your drink. Simply pop them over your cup and slide a straw through them to enjoy a bug and sand-free beverage. You can also stick cupcake cases under ice lollies to avoid messy fingers (a great picnic hack for both kids and adults).
No wet blankets
There’s nothing like a cold and wet blanket to dampen your day. Opt for a practical water-resistant base, so there will be no soggy bottoms. We love these picnic blankets - they have a faux leather strap so they can be easily rolled up and carried around, excellent for taking on family beach days or coastal walks.
Get creative with food
We like to prepare everything food-wise the night before and label everything so you can keep organised – this is particularly important for anyone who has any intolerances or allergies. Sandwiches cut into triangles are always a winner - some of our favourites include ham and cheese, cheese and pickle, mozzarella and tomato and classic egg mayonnaise. Pair with quiches, crisps, pies, scotch eggs, and fruit.
Tuck in and clean up
Make sure you have napkins or wet wipes on standby for those messy pups. Keep a rubbish bag close by so everyone can discard any litter and mess too – this will make it easier to tidy up once everyone has left.
Have fun
Perfect picnics and garden parties are about spending time with our friends and family, if your garden is big enough maybe set out some games. We suggest a football, rounders, cricket kit, or badminton set. Mostly have fun and spend some quality time together!
Al fresco dining has never been this easy, and we hope these hacks have got you ready to lay down your blanket and enjoy a great British garden picnic. Visit the National Garden Party and sign up to host your own event – it’s a great way to raise funds for excellent charities and spend a lovely day with friends and family.
We hope you enjoyed these picnic tips and garden party ideas. Discover Sophie’s collection of picnic and dining essentials for a stylish and practical garden party.