Do You Know These Golden Rules of Birthday Picnics?

Whether you have dreams of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, or a hankering for dresses-made-of-curtains chic a la The Sound of Music, a picnic is an unforgettable way to celebrate a birthday.

If you’re lucky enough to have a birthday when it’s warm, why not seize the chance to celebrate in the open air? While it might be tempting to throw down a rug and open a bag of chips, with a bit of planning you can throw an elegant soiree that will have your guests raving over your inventiveness, and make those photos a delight to look back on.

The great news is that nature has done the bulk of the decorating for you, so all you need to do is add the finishing touches. Through colors and textures, you can make sure you stamp your own mark on your special day.

Just follow these simple rules to throw the perfect birthday picnic.

Comfort Is King…

Sitting on the ground can become uncomfortable for long periods of time, but with a bit of planning you can make it as comfortable as your favorite armchair.

Make sure you bring all the blankets you can, so everyone has plenty of space to spread out away from where the food is. Oversized cushions and foldable chairs are great for guests who will find sitting on a blanket uncomfortable, so you can all spend the afternoon together, enjoying the sunshine. Get creative – an old yoga mat provides great padding when tucked under a blanket, and a worn-out rug can be reused as a serving area. 

Drape and tie fabric between tree branches to create additional shade –particularly important if you’re hosting little ones or seniors who prefer not to be in the sun. 

…and Linen is Luxury

It’s the little touches that elevate a picnic to an elegant event. Linen or fabric napkins are super-stylish, and since they’re reusable, they’re much kinder to the environment than paper ones. 

Eco-friendly Everything

But don’t stop at linen napkins – there’s excellent eco-friendly disposable tableware available. Using palm leaf plates and bamboo handle knives and forks which pose no risk of being smashed before you get there, and even better, you don’t have to transport dirty plates home to be washed.

Level-Up the Lighting

If you’re planning on picnicking into the evening, bring some lighting options with you. From votive lights that can be lit and put in jam jars, to strings of battery powered fairy lights that can be woven through tree branches, you can add a magical ambience with some well-chosen lights. 

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize

Don’t be restricted to whatever is growing in the space around you – bring indoor plants outdoors to create a botanical conservatory feel, or add cut flowers in jars or pitchers to contribute color.

The most important rule about birthday picnics is that it’s your birthday, and your day - so you get to enjoy it in whatever way you prefer! Gather your friends and family together, whip up your favorite food, and get out into the fresh air, for an unforgettable birthday celebration. And if you’ve got any favorite Picnic Rules, let us know in the comments below.