Essential Items for a Stylish Picnic, Wish I Had Them for My Birthday Celebration, Now They're on My 'Must-Buy' List
### Outdoor Celebrations: Essential Items for an En Plein Air Picnic
For a birthday celebration or a leisurely picnic, there are several essential items to make your outdoor experience more enjoyable. Here's a guide to help you prepare for a stylish and sustainable picnic.
#### Audio
A sleek, waterproof portable speaker like the Bang & Olufsen model is perfect for setting the mood and entertaining guests. Its compact design ensures it blends seamlessly into your outdoor setting, while its high-quality sound guarantees a memorable audio experience.
#### Carrying and Storage
Casual-chic tote bags, such as the TOAST dyed linen design bag, are ideal for carrying picnic essentials while maintaining a stylish look. For transporting cold drinks and snacks, a wheeled cooler like the Outbound model is an excellent choice.
#### Table Setup
Quilts or blankets provide seating and create a cozy atmosphere. Colorful and water-resistant tablecloths can add a pop of color to the setting, while eco-friendly or reusable napkins are a good choice for a sustainable picnic.
Picnicware should be lightweight, durable, and preferably reusable or biodegradable. Options like the handwoven palm and wood dish by CasaLatina, the Matilda Goad & Co. teaspoons, and the Alessi wine opener, designed by Alessandro Mendini, are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
#### Beverages
Keeping drinks cool is essential for a comfortable picnic. Cooling jugs and insulated refillable water bottles can help keep your drinks refreshingly chilled. Outdoor-friendly glassware, such as acrylic tumblers and wine glasses, are safer and more practical than traditional glassware.
#### Miscellaneous
Sunscreen is crucial to protect your skin from the sun. A basket with various SPF levels ensures everyone stays protected. Trash bags are essential for keeping the area clean.
#### Decorations, Games, and Food
String lights, lanterns, flowers, or greenery can enhance the ambiance. Simple games like frisbee or a DIY photo booth can keep guests entertained. Plan a variety of finger foods and snacks that are easy to eat outdoors.
For those who prefer beer over wine, the Sabre Bistrot Bottle Opener might be a good choice. The Rosie Dalia cutlery set, handmade by Vietnamese artisans, is another excellent option. Each piece in the set is unique, adding authenticity to an outdoor dining setup.
The HAY Indian Steel Pitcher is a suitable option for keeping water or cocktails safe during a picnic. The Late Afternoon striped tablecloth made from hand-loom woven cotton can make a picnic instantly recognizable.
For bigger outdoor meet-ups, it's recommended to get more than one Rosie Dalia cutlery set. Etsy offers a Set of 6 Round Wooden Picnic Plates with a 5/5 star rating.
Subscribing to the website newsletters provides trend forecasts, smart style ideas, and curated shopping inspiration for interiors. Antonis Cardew hand-turned pear wood plates are beautiful, lightweight, easy to wash, and a more eco-friendly alternative to disposable plates.
Pricier options like the Pemberton Qwilts design, priced at £3,650, offer a geometric, abstract quilt, while A.P.C.'s blue-and-white textile patchwork Anastasia Redux 28 and TBCo's natural tartan blankets are more affordable alternatives.
The HAY organic cotton napkins designed by Ana Kraš are easily foldable and durable, making them a practical choice for picnics. The Bang & Olufsen speaker model currently on sale via Fenwick is portable, water-proof, aesthetically pleasing, and can entertain for up to 18 hours.
- To elevate the ambiance of an outdoor picnic, consider adding decorations such as string lights, lanterns, or handmade flowers or greenery.
- For a sustainable and stylish picnic, opt for reusable or biodegradable picnicware like the handwoven palm and wood dish by CasaLatina, Matilda Goad & Co. teaspoons, and Alessi wine opener.
- Incorporating a pop of color into your outdoor dining setting can be achieved with water-resistant tablecloths, such as the Late Afternoon striped tablecloth made from hand-loom woven cotton.
