Getting Organized For Summer Picnics

Carol Home, Printables

Living in Florida, I can have a picnic year round.  In my backyard, at a county park, or at the beach, I enjoy being outside with family and friends.  Even the food tastes better outside.

Picnic Checklist

I like to be ready to grab my things and go with just a few adjustments.  I’ve made a Picnic Checklist to help me stay organized and enjoy the picnic. It’s a word document and can be adapted to your needs. Besides the food and supplies, I have a small first aid kit for my outings.  Several of my friends like to take a portable grill so I included a checklist for cookouts.  Usually I take prepared food when I’m planning a picnic.  The checklist helps me to make any additions required for the picnic.  Feel free to customize it to fit your needs.

My organizing begins with a small tote for my basic picnic supplies.  I got the storage box at Aldi last fall. It’s a small box in pink and white which was designed for little girls. I like the size and design. I try to avoid depending on paper  and plastic products as there is too much plastic trash in the world.  My plates, napkins, and tablecloth all came from thrift store finds. My silverware is an old set I kept when I bought new ones.  I keep them in a woven carrier.  The  plates, silverware  in the woven carrier, cloth napkins,  kitchen towels, a tablecloth I made from a vintage sheet, glasses, and garbage bags are kept in the tote.  You can find almost everything you need for picnics at the thrift store.  Save the world and don’t use throwaway plastic plates and utensils.

The silverware carrier also has some serving pieces including a pie/cake cutter I got a few years ago at a thrift store.

After I eat, I can put the dirty plates, napkins, and silverware in the plastic bag. It will keep the tote clean during my trip home and does not contribute to the garbage overload in the world.  Back home everything is dishwasher safe. Into the dishwasher goes the plates, silverware, and glasses. Then when clean, back in the carrier.

I hope you find this checklist helpful in your summer fun.  Thanks for coming by!

Let's have fun this summer!

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Carol

I was raised in Tennessee but have lived in Florida for many years. Love my small home in the Tampa Bay area and its developing garden. My decorating style is eclectic - some vintage, some cottage, all with a modern flair. Pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Spent many years in social services but am happily retired.

28 thoughts to “Getting Organized For Summer Picnics”

  2. You look very organized Carol. Great items for a great picnic. the weather is getting nice. Almost picnic time. happy Mother’s day.

    Reply

  3. Smart and convenient ideas. I used to have plates, plasticware, napkins, stuff for a park grill, something to sit on and cups in the car as well as a few frisbees for plate holders from spring through fall. You make me want to get back to that. Why is it a salami sandwich tastes so much better off a bike trail or in a park?

    Reply

  5. Hello from the other corner of the United States, Idaho. We do have eating party in the winter usual it around a big fire and big pot of stew or chili.
    If you fine the time stop in for a cup of coffee

    Reply

    1. Sounds like fun eating out in the winter – just cold! I grew up in Tennessee and also ate out in the cold then. Thanks for coming by.

      Reply

  6. What a great idea!!! I am going to do this, and keep it in my car for those late baseball evenings! Thanks for sharing with #HomeMattersParty!

    Reply

  9. This is a great idea. My kids and I love to meet my husband out for a picnic in the summer months when they don’t have school.

    Reply

  10. Thank you for sharing your picnic check list Carol. I always end up forgetting something when we go on a picnic

    Reply

  13. I love picnics and your organizing list is a great tool. My daughter lives in Delray Beach, Florida and I need to pass your picnic organizing tips along to her. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.

    Reply

  15. What a great idea to have picnic essentials handy and ready to go! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply

  16. This shows how with just a little bit of forward planning you can have a picnic that does not add to landfill with excess rubbish. I actually have a beautiful picnic basket I picked up at a car boot sale which makes picnics even easier (and stylish!)

    Thank you so much for linking up to #GoingGreen and I hope you’ll pop over for the next one which opens on July 3rd 💚 💚

    Reply

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