This month we are featuring a tailgate autumn celebration,
but
consider other picnic themes – a Greek picnic, an all-sandwich
picnic, a take-out-picnic with prepared foods from a deli, or an
everyone-brings-a-dish-picnic.
Posh
picnic baskets found in gift boutiques and catalogues are enticing,
but they can also be expensive, especially those that come outfitted
with picnic supplies you already have. Why not go on a treasure
hunt in your own attic? Large country baskets that do not have a
lid can simply be covered with the picnic tablecloth, a fancy towel,
or decorative fabric. Old luggage pieces can be quite fashionable
— they look charming and their sewn-in pockets are perfect
for stashing picnic utensils.
To
make serving graceful and easy, pack
your picnic basket with the supplies you will need last at the bottom.
Finish at the top with the items you need first. Whether  your
priority is pretty or practical, you have lots of creative options.
Tie silverware place-settings together with ribbon and wrap glasses
and china in cloth napkins, or choose plastic or paper dinnerware
in floral or botanical patterns.
Beaded
covers are the latest picnic rage. They
drape over bowls or serving dishes to protect your meal from unwelcome
picnic pests. Because the beads weigh down the pretty nylon and
lace fabrics, the wind will not blow your cover. To order them by
mail, call Solutions Catalog Company at 1-800-342-9988.
To
protect serving platters,
buy several collapsible food tents to keep away the insects and
other falling debris from trees and wind.
Picnics
are a great way to celebrate a
variety of occasions, such as landing a new job. Wrap non-perishable
picnic comestibles and supplies into a new briefcase. A picnic-in-a-briefcase
is also a nice idea to give to a favorite client. Almost any occasion
is ripe for a special picnic basket.
Regardless
of the occasion, bring
fresh flowers with florist water vials on the ends of the stems
to prevent wilting en route. They make a lovely centerpiece in an
imaginative vase, such as a canning jar, old crock, or vintage milk
bottle.
The
notion of a picnic conjures
up the past so don't be afraid to make it fancy — why not make
it a Victorian picnic, complete with an antique table and chairs?
 Rent
an old-fashioned Model T or other vintage car and drive to the picnic
in style, or have a driver take you there.
Plan
the menu around
foods that are easily transportable and have some menu items in
self-contained, single servings.
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