Mayonnaise and the sun do not mix. One of the biggest causes of sickness from homemade food at picnics at parties is from mayo that’s been sitting in the sun or sitting and cooking in heat of any kind. To be extra safe, you could avoid using mayo in your pasta and potato salads or just be sure to bring an ice bath to store your mayo including foods in to protect against horrible food sickness.

During food preparation, make sure you wash your hands and don’t cross contaminate between meats, cheese, veggies, and fruit. Wash your preparation surfaces using anti-bacterial spray or wipes and thoroughly wash your knives and other utensils with soap and hot water when switching between food groups.

It’s a good idea to keep all your food out of the “danger zone” of 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Foods that are in this temperature range are theme parks for bacteria. Even food you’d think is safe like cantaloupe, watermelon, and melons are susceptible to diseases like salmonella when exposed to the danger zone. The bacteria can grow in the rind so it’s important to wash the rind before you start cutting and then refrigerate your cut fruit to kill any bacteria that may have started growing. No cutting the fruit at the picnic and serving it immediately allowed!

If you’re planning a barbecue picnic, bring a thermometer to make sure you fully cook food to prevent food poisoning. Be sure your cooking utensils are clean and bacteria-free before you touch the food with them. If you can, transfer raw meats in a separate cooler but if you only have one, put them at the bottom so you won’t risk their juices dripping onto the other food. And plan a way to store the leftovers since leaving them in the sun is asking for bacteria to grow on the food and you don’t want to waste all the food by having to throw it out.

To make your picnic more hassle free and ensure food makes it to your picnic safely, consider pizza delivery. Everyone loves pizza and pizza shops follow strict food safety standards. You’ll get your pizza straight from the oven in an insulated bag. Of course you’ll need to properly store any leftovers and don’t let them sit in the sun.

Bugs are not only pests, they can carry diseases and bacteria on their bodies so throughout the picnic, make sure your food is covered and stored properly to keep bugs from getting to it.

Nothing can ruin a picnic like all attendees getting sick with food poisoning or worse, a disease like salmonella or e-coli. If you take proper safety precautions, you’re guests will leave filled up and happy with plenty more summer picnics ahead of them.

Finding the Location

You may already have the perfect location for your romantic picnic in mind. If not, ask around for ideas. Family, friends, and coworkers are sure to have some great ideas. However, be sure to let everyone know that the picnic will be a surprise so that no one accidentally tells your loved one.

You may find that an Internet search will come up with the greatest number of outdoor locations for your picnic. If you have time, scout out a few these locations ahead of time in order to find a spot that has the most appeal.

If you live in the city, you may be surprised to find fantastic city parks that offer great views and relaxing atmospheres. If you’d rather experience a quieter, more remote location, search for areas that aren’t too far out of the city. If you live in a rural area, you are sure to find several beautiful picnic spots. Beaches, riversides, nature preserves, and other areas with serene natural settings are ideal for romantic picnics.

Planning the Event

Great food is the center of any picnic. For a romantic picnic, consider bringing along a glass of wine and gourmet food items. If you are a skilled cook, don’t be afraid to show off your cooking talents by packing a homemade meal. If not skilled in the culinary arts, order delicious takeout food ahead of time or pack quality sandwich items in your picnic basket. You’ll find that there are picnic baskets that are designed to hold wine, wine glasses, and other gourmet items.

If convenient, you might ask your partner to meet you at a certain location at a specific time. Have the picnic blanket and food items laid out before they show up to offer a great surprise. You might also consider packing everything in your car where it can’t be seen. Be sure to tell your partner that you’re taking them out to a casual dinner and then let them in on the surprise once you arrive at the outdoor location. Your date will surely love how much thought you put into creating a romantic occasion for the two of you.

1. Setting. The obvious answer to the venue question is outdoors, since this is where picnics traditionally take place. You will have to think about weather and locale, but that’s no different than any other type of outdoor wedding. And a picnic theme will allow you to place both the ceremony and reception in a beautiful, natural setting of your choice. Of course, if the elements are an issue, you could arrange for an indoor space that is decorated by plenty of lush foliage, Astroturf, and sun-mimicking heat lamps in order to create the picnic atmosphere.
2. Décor. You can either go simple or sophisticated here, depending on your budget, your venue, and your level of creativity. The easy way to set up a picnic-themed wedding is to have everyone bring their own blankets and pillows to spread on the grass at a local park while you provide a self-serve buffet for the reception (just make sure to get permission from the city first to use this public space). But you might take it further by erecting private tents for groups of guests, hanging lights or lanterns for evening illumination, and even carting in sculpted topiaries and potted roses a la Alice in Wonderland.
3. Dress. If you’re going to make guests sit on the grass, dress requirements should be appropriately casual. If full skirts, high heels, and 3-piece suits are what you want, then you should probably host your wedding in a more formal, indoor setting. But if you’re okay with the khakis, sandals, and summer dresses that are common to picnicking, then this laid-back wedding theme may be just right for you and your guests.
4. Food. There are many ways you could go with the food for a picnic-themed wedding. For example, you could pack individual baskets for guests complete with wine, cheese, cold cuts, and fruit (not to mention plastic plates and flatware). You could also set up a buffet or a barbecue and let guests serve themselves. Either direction will save you on the cost of catering and service while providing guests with a unique dining experience.
5. Entertainment. You don’t necessarily want a DJ or a plugged-in band at an outdoor affair, especially if it happens to be in a public space. So think about hiring a more understated act like a string quartet or a wedding magician to perform. Or simply bring an iPod dock to play some appropriate tunes. Any of these options should better suit your picnic-themed wedding.

1. Select something you like. There are all kinds of music in the world, and you probably enjoy several different genres (even if you tend to lean towards one or another). So there’s no reason you can’t find some fun music that will appeal to the whole family without offending anyone in earshot when you picnic in public. You can either bring your own CDs and player, a loaded MP3 and docking station, or even scan radio stations until you find something suitable that you like.
2. Go for sing-along songs. If you have younger kids, a fun way to spice up an otherwise staid family picnic might be to bring a selection of songs that they likely know the lyrics to. This could provide some entertainment for everyone and possibly even draw some onlookers or other participants. Plus, most kids’ music is relatively harmless in terms of lyrics, which can’t hurt if you’re picnicking in a public locale.
3. Make your own music. You might not be the singing von Trapps, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bust out some bongos, a tambourine, and even a guitar (or whatever portable instruments your family members happen to play) in order to spend a lovely afternoon munching from a picnic basket and making a little music.
4. Skip religious music. Just because you love Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Isis, or some other deity doesn’t mean everyone around you is so keen to hear about his/her exploits and/or love. Of all the controversial topics you might choose to explore in public, religion is at the top of the heap (or second only to politics, depending if you’re in an election year). So unless you want to get into a shouting match or some fisticuffs with a stranger in front of your family, perhaps you should limit your music selection to the Billboard Top 20.
5. Avoid foul language and questionable content. Maybe some parents like to rock out to rap and heavy metal with their kids, but anything that degrades women, encourages violence and drug use, and glorifies prison life probably isn’t a good fit for your family picnic, even if it does have a solid backbeat or some killer guitar riffs. Sure you may let your kids populate their phones with questionable ringtones because you’re all about freedom of speech, but that doesn’t make this type of music appropriate for family gatherings, especially if you choose to have them in a public place.

When planning a romantic picnic meal, you can’t go wrong by bringing French made food items. Pack your picnic basket with a French baguette, cheese, pates, fruit, sausages, and gourmet French wine. These simple finger foods will be easy to pack and to serve when spread on a blanket at your favorite picnic location.
When it comes to romantic picnic food, there is an endless array of options. You may have your own gourmet food ideas that are specific to your nationality. Bringing along some of your favorite foods that were a tradition in your family is a great way to share an important part of yourself with your date. It is important to make sure that whatever food items you bring along, they are easy to pack in a picnic basket and practical to eat in an outdoor setting.

Another romantic food idea is to order gourmet takeout. Be sure to pack this food in an insulated picnic container, and then surprise your date with this delicious meal. If you choose this option, try to be practical since many gourmet take out meals will not be ideal for a picnic setting. Choose restaurant food that is easy to pack, will not easily spill, and will stay fresh and tasty when packed well in your picnic basket.

No matter what romantic picnic food you decide on, it is essential to bring picnic items such as a picnic blanket, utensils, wine glasses, a corkscrew, plates, and napkins.

Once your meal is set up, you can be sure that the natural atmosphere will provide everything else you need to create the romantic day you were hoping for. For centuries, couples have been enjoying romantic picnics set in the great outdoors. There is no better way to enjoy a great, yet simple meal with that special someone in your life.

Romantic Picnic Food

Since you are married, you have the advantage of knowing what your partner loves to eat. Steer away from dull, everyday meals by putting some effort into the picnic meal plan. Bring along a bottle of champagne or your partner’s favorite wine. Visit a gourmet shop for quality sandwich items. You can keep it simple by purchasing a block of high quality cheese and a crusty French bread. Dark chocolate, cheesecake, fresh cut fruit, and similar desserts will also serve as great additions to your meal.

Set the Atmosphere

Setting up a picnic on an old blanket, using paper cups for wine, or bringing food in a plastic bag are things that will not lend themselves well to a romantic picnic. Instead, take the time and effort to find a classic wicker picnic basket, a nice picnic blanket, and be sure to bring along real wine glasses. Find a picnic basket that includes wine glass holders and insulated compartments for gourmet food items. This will keep the food fresh and will keep the glasses from breaking.

Choosing the Location

Try to find a picnic spot that offers some degree of privacy. For instance, a secluded area on a beach or in a park works well for romantic picnics. In some cases, public spaces with lots of people can also offer a romantic setting. For example, an outdoor classical concert is an ideal setting for a romantic date and a picnic. Be creative and choose a location that best suits the personality of the one you love. If your partner loves theater, find out if there will be an outdoor theater performance in your area and set up a picnic for that occasion. If your partner loves the city, set up a picnic on a landscaped rooftop that will offer you a bird’s eye view of the city.

There are endless opportunities for creating romantic picnics that will help strengthen the love you share with your partner. Taking the time and effort to plan a picnic is a great gift that anyone will appreciate.

Let’s start with a kid’s birthday party. While most kids these days profess that they would rather play video games, watch movies, or check their Facebook wall than go outside, you’ll find that an afternoon at the park is just what the doctor ordered (in some cases literally). They might gripe at first, but it won’t be long before they’re running around with all their friends, especially if you set up a piñata, a scavenger hunt, or some other fun activities. At the very least you can haul out your old sporting goods and get them playing a pickup game for an afternoon of fun that they’ll never forget.

Of course, it isn’t all about the kids. Plenty of adults will be impressed if you choose to host traditional events with a picnic theme. For example, how about planning a wedding or major anniversary celebration as a picnic? The couple trying to save money on such festivities could really decrease their budget by renting a public space (park, beach, etc.) instead of a popular indoor venue. And instead of hiring a party-rental company for tables and chairs, they could have guests bring their own blankets and pillows to lay on the grass or sand. Catering could consist of traditional picnic foods like tea sandwiches, wine, cheese, fruit, and so on rather than a five-course meal. And for lighting, table lanterns, tiki torches, or a simple metal framework to string up naked bulbs or paper lanterns could end up being easy, gorgeous, and eminently affordable.

But you may want to host a more intimate affair, such as a Valentine’s Day meal or some other romantic occasion. This is where the event can really shine since there are so many possible settings for a cozy couple’s getaway. All you have to do is throw a few nice items into a picnic basket (include a bottle of wine, a baguette, and a few meats and cheeses), pack up a blanket, and take your honey to a hideaway off the beaten path (a short hike to a remote woodland setting could be just right). After a couple glasses of vino you’ll be ready to pour out your heart in a thank you poem that lets your partner know just how much you appreciate him/her. And all that remains is to let the sparks fly!

Surprise Your Spouse

Some couples feel like they’re on the verge of getting a divorce attorney and it’s simply due to the fact that they’re not communicating about their needs. If they’re not talking about bills or the kids, it seems like nothing is really being shared and that can cause people to get into a rut very quickly. Just letting your partner know that you want to spend some quality time with them can work wonders, but it takes things to another level when you surprise them by sending a “Let’s spend some alone time at noon today” text or bringing some flowers and a food basket to their job. A picnic is definitely a sweet sentiment, but more than anything, by letting your partner know that they’re on your mind so much that you made some proactive plans to spend time with them? That’s a great way to bring the romance (and all that comes with it) right on back!

Author: Sarah is a contributing writer for Morgan Law Firm, specializing in family and divorce law. Find ways to reignite the spark in your marriage before it’s too late.

Romantic Picnic Food Ideas

One of the benefits of picnics is that the food menu can be kept simple. For a romantic picnic it is best to leave the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at home. Instead, consider bringing along a quality loaf of French bread, gourmet cheese, and a bottle of chilled wine. For dessert, strawberries and gourmet chocolate are great options. Bring along real wine glasses and silverware as well. There are many picnic baskets on the market these days specifically designed for gourmet insulated picnic food and will safely store wine glasses, a chilled glass of wine, and your picnic food.

Where to Dine

When it comes to location, your options are only limited by your imagination. You are sure to find that there are several locations ideal for romantic picnics near you. Plan ahead by scouting out many different locations until you find the perfect spot. A few location ideas include beaches, outdoor music or theater events, landscaped city rooftops, riversides, and state parks. Even a city park can be ideal for a romantic picnic as long as you set your space with care.

Additional Picnic Items

Make sure that you have everything prepared ahead of time so that your date will go as smoothly as possible. Additional items not to forget include a nice picnic blanket, a corkscrew, napkins, plates, and any extra supplies that you think you might need for a romantic picnic.

Check the Weather

So that your plans aren’t foiled by rain or other inclement weather, be sure to check the weather a day or two before your picnic.

Relax and Enjoy the Day

The idea is to create a stress-free experience in which your partner doesn’t have to do any of the work. There aren’t many date ideas that will beat a romantic picnic. With careful planning, you will both enjoy a truly romantic experience that will be remembered for quite some time.

Planning the Event

How will you keep the picnic a surprise? There are several ways to accomplish this. The easiest way is to set up a picnic in your own backyard. This way you can create the perfect atmosphere ahead of time. This also allows for complete privacy. Set up creative lighting if you are planning an evening picnic. Add music, candles, and other elements that will lend themselves to a romantic atmosphere. If you live with your partner, plan the picnic on a day they will be out of the house during the day. When they arrive home, meet them at the door with a glass of wine or champagne and lead them out to the backyard picnic you’ve set up for them.

Another option is to ask a close friend to help out with your plans. Make it as easy as possible for your friend by getting everything together ahead of time. All they will have to do is lay down the picnic blanket and picnic basket in the designated spot a short while before you plan to show up with your date. This will ensure that your date has no idea what you are up to since showing up with a picnic basket will be a dead giveaway of your plans.

If you plan on having the picnic at a destination that isn’t convenient for a friend to drive to, you can still ensure that the experience is a surprise by purchasing a picnic backpack. These backpacks are insulated and include compartments for picnic food. Your date will never know what’s in the backpack. Take your date on a hike that ends in a romantic picnic set in an ideal spot that offers a great view. Your date will be surprised as you pull out a picnic blanket, a bottle of chilled wine or champagne, gourmet cheese, a baguette, fresh fruit, dark chocolate, and other romantic food items that are perfect for the occasion.