July 4th is right around the corner. Maybe you’re planning a picnic to celebrate.
I hope so! Because I have some suggestions for hosting a simple picnic that won’t leave you scrambling to do all the things and never enjoying the event.
Shop Early
Buy beverages and paper products in advance. I prefer to handle this labor-intensive shopping trip early. Drinks are heavy! Last-minute errands will arise for forgotten items. So deal with the non-perishables early and save time. During my weekly shopping trip, I shop for my meal plan and the picnic. I stock up on items like onions, garlic, butter, olive oil, mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. I also buy the hot dogs and ground beef and store them in the freezer until picnic day.
Let Guests Help
Everyone asks this question, “What Can I Bring?” This time, be ready with an answer and make the party fun for you and your guests. Plan the menu, make a list, and delegate items to your guests when they ask. Be specific and make it easy for both of you. You do not have to do everything yourself. Keep it simple. Here are some suggested items to delegate.
- Hot dog rolls
- Hamburger rolls
- Green Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Chips
- Pretzels
- Veggie Tray and Dip
- Dessert
- Sliced cheddar and American cheese
- Burger topping plate (Sliced tomatoes, onions, and lettuce)
Separate Food and Drinks
If you’re hosting a large group, it helps to get people moving in and out of the house by separating the food and drink offerings. Coolers of drinks go on the patio under our deck where it is shaded. The food buffet sits on the kitchen island near the exit to the deck. But keeping food inside helps with the bugs! Also, I like to set up desserts on a different table altogether.
Borrow Everything
By now, you know that I love to borrow instead of buy. My generous neighbors share folding chairs, tables, serving platters, and even trash cans. Someone just has to be the first one to ask! And they know that I’m excited to return the favor anytime!
Do Messy Jobs First
Don’t forget to clean the patio furniture. You do NOT want to do messy jobs on the day of the picnic because everything will be soaking wet! Watch the weather. Plan to clean the deck and patio several days ahead of time so the space can dry completely.
On the day of the picnic, wipe down the table and finish food prep before you change into your party outfit. I also shower and eat 2 hours before the guests arrive. Keep that water bottle handy too.
Label the Buffet
Since your guests are bringing items to share, set up serving platters, baskets, and bowls ahead of time and identify where items should go. Label the spaces with post-its. This will eliminate last-minute scrambling and rearranging and ensure you have space for everything. With labels, guests can help you set up.
That’s it! I promised to keep it simple and I think this delivered.
Time to plan your 4th of July picnic. Get those invites sent asap and write the menu.
What are your party-planning tips to keep entertaining simple?
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