Summer Picnic Essentials

It’s National Picnic Month and when you think about it, a picnic is really a mini vacation. Whether you’re spending a day at the beach, hiking in a canyon, boating on a lake, or just heading to your local city park, here are some great products designed to make your next picnic even more fabulous.

portableblanketXL Blanket
Wet grass is a pain in the, well, you get the picture. This XL Blanket is water resistant so you and your picnic stay dry. It also folds into an easy carrying tote with an adjustable shoulder strap. Keep it in the trunk of your car and you’ll be ready at a moment’s notice. $35.99

 

portablegrillBioLite
A stylish bbq is one way to seriously impress your friends and family!

The BioLite CampStove and and grill offer a super portable and compact way to grill your food using wood instead of charcoal or propane. The stove and grill together weigh less than 5 pounds. And the geeks at your picnic will be impressed that the surplus electricity from the stove can be used to charge a phone. Stove and grill combo, $224.85

personalplatesCreate Ur Plate
Paper plates are truly passé. Step up your picnic table ware with disposable plates that are decorated with reusable decals. Plan ahead and easily something custom or pick a design you like best. Either way your picnic will stand out from the rest. 40 disposable dinner plates, $9.99 and reusable decals $1.99 each

govinoGovino
As long as you’re upgrading tableware, skip the plastic red cups. These nicely designed BPA free wine “glasses” from Govino are lightweight, unbreakable and can be reused many times before being recycled. Note the indentation to keep your drink in the grip of your hands. 4 wine or cocktail glasses $12.95

Trash-Ease
It goes without saying that picnics should be easy breezy. For effortless clean up, the Trash Ease attaches to your picnic table so it won’t tip over or blow away. It uses standard 13 gallon drawstring trash bags. Trash bag holder $12.99

It doesn’t really feel like summer until there’s a picnic. So go ahead, play, relax, eat and drink and enjoy the great outdoors.

Amy Sherman is a San Francisco–based writer, recipe developer, restaurant reviewer and all around culinary enthusiast. She blogs for Epicurious , Bay Area Bites and Cooking with Amy