The supplies you need to have a functional and aesthetic picnic.

Whether it’s a dreamy backyard dinner or a romantic picnic date on the lawn, every picturesque outdoor summer activity in the form of a meal calls for premeditated thought. These are the facts. Optimization is a skill. Crafting ambience is an art. And both require effort.

There are only two reasons to invest in the perfect picnic setup. The first is convenience and offers value to everyone. Having the right gear and supplies will make picnicking much easier and, therefore, more enjoyable. And thus, you’ll be inclined to picnic more.

The second reason relates purely to vanity—the inherent desire to cultivate beauty, as is natural to the aesthete. To care about the way things look is to care about the way things feel. A picnic is but another opportunity to build an enchanting world you can share with others, to isolate a moment in time and mold it into something worth remembering.

Fortunately, I value functionality as much as I do style. If curating an aesthetic picnic is of little interest to you, this essential picnic checklist still serves its purpose. But if you are visually motivated, it’s a very good thing you’re here.

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The Picnic Basket

Picnic hampers are sly these days, with many concealing an insulated cooler behind a charming wicker guise. Not only will this thoughtful design keep food and drinks perfectly chill on hot summer days, it signals the sense and sophistication of a seasoned picnic-goer.

The Picnic Blanket

A picnic blanket can be judged by three factors: size, comfort, and convenience. It should be large enough to accommodate your entire party as well as the food (everyone loves an extra large picnic blanket). The fabric should be pleasant to the touch, soft, yet well made. And it should offer extra conveniences that go beyond the basic necessities such as waterproof backing and the ability to retract into a tidy little package. Tracking down a solution that checks every box isn’t the hard part. The real conquest is finding one that doesn’t sacrifice style. My top pick is a neutral shade, a lovely canvas for colorful plates and dishes.

Serving Trays

Handled serving trays make it easy to carry dishes out to your picnic destination and create even surfaces for plates to rest on.

Small Bowls

A variety of bowls (from 4 oz to 8 oz) are the perfect size for smaller picnic fare such as cornichons, olives, and fruits.

Plates and Platters

For shatterproof dining options, go for melamine, wheat straw, enamel, or wood. Otherwise, opt for heavier ceramics that aren’t too delicate or easily broken.

Exact products used for picnic pictured above.