Here’s your perfect guide to a memorable picnic

The weeks after the end of mid-term examinations, till the beginning of the Christmas Holidays, were special. Something I, along with the rest of my classmates, looked forward to each year. It was the time when the blazing heat of Rajasthan ebbed, giving place to pleasant winds that hinted at the onset of winter.

It was the ideal climate for a fun-filled, frolicking picnic at any of the renowned historical sites spread across Jaipur. A day-long event, the post-picnic discussions lasted a couple of days till we dispersed for the Christmas holidays.

The cultural calendar of our professional arena includes employees’ offsite events as a must, yet it can never compete with the charm those innocent years oozed.

What sets those picnics apart? Is there a magic formula? Let’s see and understand what most of the experts recommend having a picnic that everyone remembers for times to come.

• Location

Picking up the right spot to spread your wares and watch over the kids playing on an idyllic afternoon is half the job done. Consider and calculate the travel time if planning for a day-long picnic. Avoid far-away, remote places where mobile signal is weak, and transport of any sort is sparse.

• Carry light, easy-to-carry picnic gear

Take items that are lightweight, convenient, and practical. It is recommended to have environmentally friendly luggage when compared to plastic-made gear. Folding tables, camp chairs, hassocks, tents, and dishes may appear stylish but slows down the movement and is sluggish during emergencies.

• Be prepared with some activities

Take board games, sandcastles kit, books, and colouring books for adults as well as children, to prevent boredom. These are simple to bring in and take out and can make the day a bit more meaningful and fill up the gaps left between conversations.

• Food Options that reduce lofty cutlery

Cutlery adds weight to the luggage. To avoid unnecessary cutlery, take food items that can be consumed easily such as Chicken drumsticks or fruit on skewers. Use as few forks, spoons, and knives as possible.

• Take care of Uninvited Guests

Picnics attract a slew of uninvited guests like house flies, bees, cockroaches and other unknown nasty crawlies. Ensure serving food and liquids in lidded containers.

• Salads, Salads and Salads

Everyone enjoys grilled food. But there isn’t a picnic without the greens, right? Prepare and pack vibrant, flavourful and healthier varieties of salads. Dressings can be carried in tiny jars if needed.

• Carry garbage bags and wet napkins

Apart from being easy to carry, garbage bags and napkins help in keeping the area clean for others to use.

Be prepared to fight the elements

The weather may conspire anytime to disperse everything spread out. Consider using stakes, simple napkin holders, or even pebbles and stones lying nearby, to help in weighing down sheets and blankets.