The wait is finally over, the time has come to pack up your favourite goodies in your picnic bag as the picnic season is finally here! After what has seemed like months of cold, dark and rainy weather, the sun is here to stay (fingers crossed) for the next few months. Summer is a time to slow down, enjoy the sun and relish in the simple pleasure of life, like sitting down with friends and family eating some delicious food. Whether your ideal picnic spot is in a tranquil park, a beach or a hidden gem in the countryside, keep reading through our picnic guide to find all of our tips, tricks and recipes!
Picnic etiquette
What should I wear to a picnic?
When it comes to dressing for a picnic, you should put on a comfortable outfit. Whether you are planning a long walk before your trip, embarking on a day out at the zoo with a picnic or you have found a lovely spot you want to stay sat at all day, comfort is key.
In the warmer weather we suggest opting for light and breathable fabrics such as a flowy sundress or a linen set to help keep cool on those sunny days. As a top tip, if the sun does hide behind the clouds for a little while or you’re staying outside into the evening, bringing a light cardigan or shawl to keep you cosy is a must. But what colours should you wear? Scientists have proven that darker coloured clothes will absorb more visible wavelengths, which in turn absorbs more heat. Wearing lighter colour clothes can help keep you cooler, so we suggest leaving the darker colours in your winter wardrobe. One last tip, before you leave the house, make sure you have packed your sunglasses to protect your eyes from the UV light and bring a sunhat!
Where should I go on my picnic?
In the UK, we have a very diverse landscape with picturesque destinations, offering a range of magical places for you to visit on your next picnic adventure. Where you’re going to have your picnic really depends on where you live and how far you’re willing to go on your day out. If you live near the seaside you could have a beach day, if you live near London you could visit the iconic parks of London such as Hyde Park, or if you live in the countryside you might know a few secret spots to eat your picnic.
If you are planning a special picnic day out or you want to try and find a new spot you have never been to before, here are a few tips to help you on your quest:
- Research and explore. Start by researching different locations in your area or your chosen destination. Look for parks, gardens, beaches or hiking trails that offer scenic spots.
- Consider the ambiance. Think about the kind of atmosphere you want for your picnic. Do you prefer a serene and secluded spot or a lively park with bustling activities?
- Consider the weather. Keep an eye on the weather forecast (not that it ever seems to be accurate), a sunny day may call for a picnic by the sea to get that cool breeze, while a super hot day may call for the woods that offer more shade.
- Ask for recommendations. Reach out to friends, family or even work colleagues for their favourite spot. They might share some hidden gems or an area that you have never explored before.
- Embrace spontaneity. Sometimes, the best picnic spots are found by embracing spontaneity. Take a drive, explore new areas and you might just find your favourite picnic spot in a random place.
How to be the best picnic organiser
Have you been put in charge of organising a picnic this weekend? Whether it’s for a birthday party, a casual picnic spot or a catch up with old friends, here are a few tips to help you become the number one picnic organiser in your group.
- Plan ahead. Start by choosing a date that suits everyone in the group and choose a spot that is easily accessible to everyone.
- Food and drinks. When planning a picnic, it can often be a good idea to ask everyone in the group to make or bring something specific. This will ensure that you don’t double up on the same food like sandwiches and miss out on your favourites like sausage rolls or fresh fruit kebabs.
- Communication. Clearly communicate the picnic details, including the time location and any specific instructions or requests to your guests. You could provide them with a packing list if needed.
- Picnic tableware. Think about what you’re going to eat off and what you’re going to drink out of when you’re out for the day. For eco-friendly picnic essentials, make sure to check out our latest blog.
- Clean up and leave no trace. Everyone in the group will be responsible for taking home all their rubbish and leaving the area as they found it. Before you leave, have a quick look around to make sure nothing has been left behind.
What should I pack on my picnic?
To begin, you will have to think about what you are going to put all of your picnic goodies into. Comfort is key when it comes to a picnic bag. If you have ever been wandering through a park carrying a heavy and uncomfortable bag to find the perfect picnic spot, we have been there before. The Citron picnic bag could solve all your problems as it has been designed for comfort and ease with its leather carry handles and comfy shoulder straps.
Now you have found the perfect picnic cooler bag, you have to work out how you are going to transport all of the food and drinks to your picnic spot. To keep your food at the optimum temperature, Citron food jars will become your best friend. If you prefer eating a warm pasta dish on your picnics, the jars will keep your food warm for 6 hours, but if you fancy a refreshing salad, it will keep the food cold for up to 7 hours.
Have you got something to eat off and drink out of? The newest addition to the Citron tableware family are our eco-friendly plates, bowls and cups. Having a reusable tableware set to take on your picnics is a must, not only will you always have a set to take on your picnics but you will also be saving the environment. All of our eco-sets are made from 100% plant-based materials meaning that when the time does come, you could put them in your compost to decompose.
If you are going for more of a grazing style picnic, our lunch-boxes are perfect for that! Citron lunch boxes have been designed with separate compartments in order to keep your food separate (a lifesaver for the picky eaters). In your lunch box you can mix and match sweet and savoury snacks to enjoy on your picnic! If you opt for our grand-lunch box , you will also get a small insulated food jar and a sauce container!
Something that is often forgotten about is a cutlery set! You have probably heard us say it before, but we highly recommend that you purchase a cutlery set that is dedicated to your picnic bag or lunch box so you never forget them again. At Citron, we have a range of different cutlery sets for everyone in the family - with their easy silicone casing, your whole set will stay compact together and it keeps everything else in your bag clean once they have been used.
Last but not least, this is an essential for any day out in the sun this summer, and that’s right you have guessed it, a reusable water bottle. At Citron, we have 4 different sizes of our insulated water bottles that come in a range of different colours and patterns for everyone in the family. All of our bottles can also be personalised for free, making them the perfect gift for anyone this year!
What food should I take on my picnic?
When it comes to picnic food, it’s best to choose dishes that are easy to prepare, transport and enjoy outdoors. Here is some tasty inspiration and recipes to get your taste buds going!
Savoury picnic recipes
On a normal picnic we often opt for sandwiches for the bulk of our savoury picnic foods, but this year we want to change things up and give you some alternatives you can take on your next adventure.
1. Spicy Mexican wrap
It’s time to change things up, instead of making your usual sandwich, why not try out our spicy and creamy Mexican inspired wrap instead to get your taste buds tingling?
- 320g sweetcorn
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 chilli pepper chopped finely
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large wraps
- Freshly cut veggies like peppers, lettuce and avocados
- Add your sweetcorn, peanut butter, salt, chilli and olive oil into a blender and mix - make sure it has a slightly chunky texture
- Spread your dip evenly onto your wrap
- Next layer your freshly cut veggies onto your wrap and then roll it up and cut it into 4 slices
- Add some fresh salad leaves to your large food jar and add your wrap swirls into your jar ready for your picnic
2. Spanish tortilla
Picnics are all about sharing and we love making different dishes from around the world to put into our picnic bags. Up next for our savoury picnic dishes we have a Spanish inspired tortilla that everyone can have a nibble of.
- 1 courgette chopped into chunks
- 1 chilli chopped finely
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp Greek yoghurt
- Salt for seasoning
- 5g of freshly cut chives
- Chop up your courgette and chillies and add to a heated pan with the olive oil
- Mix your eggs, Greek yoghurt and salt into a bowl until combined
- Once your vegetables have cooked, and add half of them into a smaller fryer pan and then pour half of your egg mixture on top to cover your vegetables
- Cook until golden brown and then flip over
- Cut your chives and add onto the mixture whilst the frittata is cooking
- Repeat again to make your second frittata
- Add some salad leaves like rocket to your large food jar and add in your frittata whole or already sliced
Sweet picnic recipes
No picnic would be complete without some sweet treats for you to nibble on, whether you’re a chocolate lover or you fancy something more tropical in the heat - keep reading to find out what sweet treats we have in store for you.
1. Chocolate chip cookies
Cookies are great on a picnic and if you’re like us, they are often nibbled on pre-picnic as well when tummies start to rumble.
- 120g softened butter
- 150g golden caster sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 180g plain flour
- ½ tsp bicarbonate soda
- 150g of your favourite chocolate, cut into chunks
- Heat your oven to 180°c and lay out your baking paper onto a tray
- Mix together your butter and sugar together until it becomes fluffy, then add in your eggs and vanilla
- Next add in your dry ingredients; flour, bicarbonate, chocolate and a sprinkle of salt
- Once all of your ingredients have been mixed together, pop the dough into the fridge for half an hour
- Once the dough has chilled, separate the dough into around 10 cookie balls
- Spread the balls out onto a tray as they will expand and cook for around 10-12
2. Coconut chia jellies
Now you may have never thought of making these before, but the coconut adds a little tropical twist to your picnic and they are great healthy alternatives that will hit the sweet spot.
- 118ml of milk
- 118ml of full fat coconut milk
- ½ tsp of vanilla extract
- ½ tsp of honey
- 55g chia seeds
- Add both of your milks to a saucepan and heat until it starts to boil
- As it is boiling, add in your vanilla extract and honey and mix continually
- Take off the heat and add in your chia seeds and mix together
- Pour the mixture into a container and leave in the fridge for at least 2 hours
- Once set, cut into squares and pop them into your food jar to keep cold before you start munching on them
No matter what you pack in your picnic bag this summer, we hope you have a lovely picnic season! Make sure you follow our Instagram for all the latest picnic inspo pictures and recipes for you and your loved ones to enjoy!