The sun is finally shining and the cold winds are giving us a break. Summer is here and there’s no better way to take advantage of it than with a picnic. You don’t have to travel far to have lunch alfresco – find a green spot in your local park and enjoy a calm picnic with your loved ones.

Picnics, like most lunches, are tricky – they can easily fall into the ordinary. Packing peanut butter sandwiches doesn’t quite seem like enough anymore and that’s why we prepared a few tips to upscale your picnics without breaking a sweat or the bank.

Beverages
What you drink sets the mood for your day in the park. Bring a bubbly bottle of wine, kept in the fridge until the last minute, and your picnic feel like a celebration. Pop it open as soon as you find the perfect grassy spot and toast for more days like these.

If you’re not into wine, find a few fancy cans of fruit-infused sparkling water, or even better make your own seasonal fruit infusion and bottle it in reusable, insulated bottles. A sweet, refreshing drink is the best way give your picnic some class.

Finger Foods
We have two words for you: finger food. No one likes to use plastic spoons and forks to eat a scoop of potato salad that happens to be soaking through your paper plate. Be practical! Not only are finger foods practical but they can also be fun. Think of Cajun spice popcorn chicken, blue cheese stuffed olives, or crowd-pleasing pigs in blankets. What about homemade, spicy jalapeno poppers, or coconut crusted shrimp? The sky’s the limit! Small, two-bite sized treats picked with care, are a great way to share your passion for cooking and can be excellent conversation starters! Don’t forget to bring extra napkins.

Build the Ambiance
As lovely as it is to listen to the birds chirping, sometimes the addition of the right music can make an outing an experience to remember. Think of bringing a pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker and connect it to your phone.

If you plan ahead and keep things simple, any picnic can be a success this summer!