Summer’s right around the corner, and spending time with your bestie or bae is always necessary. One way to get some quality time in is to go on a picnic, soak up some nature and eat great food! Trust us, a picnic is a refreshing break from watching Netflix or going to that tired restaurant that you won’t let go of.

Here’s a quick guide to planning a picnic right:

Drinks

If you’re a wino, pack more than one bottle of your favorite wine, but don’t forget to put it in the fridge the night before. Mixed drinks can be fun for those who don’t like fancy wine. If you don’t drink alcohol at all, juice or lemonade are both great additions to any picnic meal. Just don’t forget that water is always a necessity, especially if you’ll be in the sun.

Food

The best picnic food is something that doesn’t need to be heated. Prep your appetizers the day before your date and store them in the fridge so they keep cool. If it’s a really warm day, your food will be at room temperature by the time you’re ready to eat. Here are some recipes to get you started.

Blanket

If the location that you choose for a picnic doesn’t have guaranteed tables, be sure to pack an old blanket so that you have something to sit on without ruining your outfit. Fancier, waterproof picnic blankets can also come in handy. Find one on Etsy.

Bug spray or insect repellent

Nobody needs the picnic fun to be ruined by lingering bees or mosquitoes. A great brand for any outdoor situation is Repel. Find it on Amazon.

Sunscreen

Yes, this is a necessity. Remember, melanin can’t protect you from everything. Neutrogena is a well-known skincare brand with a quality sunscreen. Purchase it here.

Utensils

Don’t end up stuck without forks, cups, knives or napkins. You’ll definitely regret doing so. Grab some disposable utensils from your local grocery store or purchase these knorks if you’re looking to make picnic dates a regular thing.

Picnic basket

You can’t have a perfect picnic without a picnic basket. If you don’t already own one, go to your local thrift store or buy one online.

The key to a perfect picnic is planning ahead. And if you don’t want to do everything yourself, give your date half the responsibilities so that you’ll have less on your plate.

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picnic for two

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