Picnic Party Tips
There are lots of products on the market that go well with a picnic or outdoor party. They are nicer than the usual paper fare and can be used indoors as well. Since we are all ecology conscious it makes sense to save the money from buying paper, throwaway goods and invest in a longer lasting product.
Glassware
You'll find inexpensive plastic glasses in most supermarkets. They are lightweight, but as thick as Lucite and until you actually lift one you can't tell it from the real thing. They come in two sizes in a clear, or with a smoky gray or pink cast. This is a far cry from the paper or plastic glasses associated with picnicking and while you can't toss them away afterward, they won't break if dropped, they're dishwasher safe and will last forever.
Chinaware
All white plastic dishes are much nicer for a picnic than paper plates and worth the investment as you can use them over and over again. They come in dinner and luncheon sizes and in pink or blue as well, but the white looks more like real chinaware. They are quite practical for everyday kid proof use or save for the next party. A plastic plate may be unacceptable for a dinner party, but adds substance to a picnic when paper plates are expected.
Cloth Napkins
Large, cloth napkins are easy to toss in the washing machine after a party and much nicer than using paper. Different colored bandanas make colorful napkins. Tie one around each person's set of utensils. Or cut l6-in. cotton squares with a pinking shears to make no-sew napkins for a picnic.
Table Cover With A Country Flair
For a country theme cover the table with a patchwork quilt. If you shudder at the thought remember that quilts were originally made to be used and can withstand repeated washings.
Hold Everything
Large country baskets are perfect for holding just about everything. Line the breadbasket with a lace-edged, linen cloth or colorful napkins. Choose pretty fabrics or linens to line baskets for salads, etc. and then place a dish or bowl inside to hold the food and protect any delicate fabrics. No picnic would be complete without a basket brimming with fruit, which can also serve as a centerpiece.
Centerpiece
While the food is enough of a centerpiece for the table it's still nice to cluster a few pots of impatiens in a basket or create a spontaneous bouquet of wildflowers. I like an all white table and a basket filled with white cosmos, Queen Anne's lace, white freesia and baby gladiolas. There is just enough green to set off the white against the dark vines of the basket.
Pretty Food
Plan the food so the colors are pleasing. Use edible flowers for decorating colorless plates of chicken and such. Nasturtium surrounding the meat or deviled eggs, for example adds color where needed, or basil leaves surrounding slices of tomato.
Cooling The Drinks
Everyone uses coolers or trashcans to hold ice and cold drinks, but why not decorate a new metal trash can for the occasion. Contact Brand Self-Adhesive borders are perfect to wrap around the can or cut out large petals and stems from plain Contact to create flowers growing around the can. To dress up the can, first spray paint it white, then add the decorations.
Farewell To Bugs
To keep mosquitoes away, attach long citronella candles to garden stakes and plant in the ground around the area. This adds a festive glow to the party as the sun sets.
Poolside Picnic
Designer Raymond Waites is fond of using a small child's red wagon to hold all sorts of items for his poolside parties. One year he rolled out lobsters on a bed of ice. Another year the wagon held ice-chilled cans of soda and at another time it held pots of flowers.
Just For The Fun Of It
For a family picnic, frame old baby pictures and intersperse them around the food or make a grouping in the center of the table. Everyone will have fun identifying them.
Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.