Are you wondering how to make the most of the warm weather before winter arrives? Why not have a picnic? While this practice has become less common over the years, it is still a fun way to enjoy warm weather and your favorite comfort foods. You don’t even have to cook or bake the meal if you want to save time or money. Just look for the cheapest pizza specials in your area and you bring a few sides and drinks along. Here are a few steps you should take to pack the perfect picnic before the year is over.
Choose Your Menu
Choosing the menu is one of the most enjoyable parts of planning a picnic. If you are bringing kids with you, make the event extra-special by letting them select one or more menu items. Don’t forget to plan for any allergies or food sensitivities. This is especially important if you invite friends to go with you. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to find allergy-friendly meals and side dishes these days. A quick online search will yield multiple suggestions for the best gluten free pizza crust or dairy-free picnic food ideas.
Pack Food in Sealable Containers
When possible, select menu items that aren’t prone to spilling and won’t make a big mess. If you really want to bring foods that are messy (think pudding, Jell-O, and potato salad), pack them in sealable containers so they don’t spill even if jostled
When packing for a picnic, make food safety a top priority. In addition to making sure all homemade dishes are completely cooled down before you pack them in resealable containers, you should also put cold foods in an ice-packed cooler. During your picnic, try not to leave spoilable food out for too long, and never eat food that has been left out in the hot sun for two hours or longer.
Don’t Forget Eating Utensils
Few things are more frustrating than arriving at your chosen picnic site, unpacking your food, and discovering you forgot to bring utensils. Make sure this doesn’t happen by packing utensils, plates, cups
Before you head off to your picnic, take a quick look at your weather app. Even if the weather looks pristine now, it could turn foul with minimal warning. A quick weather check might save you from being caught unexpectedly in the rain.
Order Your Food Beforehand
If you plan to order take-out, do it least 20 minutes before your planned picnic. That way you’ll have time to pick up your order and still get to your planned picnic site without delays. Some eateries and restaurants offer order-tracking tools that make it easy to track pizza order or sandwich order and minimize surprises.
Have Fun!
Once you’ve made all the necessary preparations, the final step in packing a picnic is to enjoy yourself! Give yourself plenty of time to savor the cheapest pizza specialsand spend time with the people you love. It may be one of the last opportunities you have to enjoy the warm weather this year, so make the most of it!
