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We’re right in the middle of the summer holidays, the days are whizzing past us at an alarming rate. However, before we all get caught up in the back to school rush and finding a routine. It is time to enjoy each the summer days as they come – whether the sun shines or whether the rain decides to come and pay us a visit.
When it comes to the cost of summer, after paying out for holidays and days out, food can be the next biggest expense. Especially if you are heading on days out to theme parks, attractions but also to the beach, local woodlands and parks. One of the ways that we help to reduce the cost of these days out is to take food with us and enjoy summer picnics wherever we are going for the day.
The children usually take a packed lunch to school each day so turning this into a picnic is relatively quite easily for us. To make it more of an occasion I pack everything into our Cambridge eco-friendly bamboo picnicware. This means that I don’t have to carry as many things, plus the children love being able to grab what they want from the larger storage containers on to their own plates. The plates, storage boxes and cups can be carried in a beach bag, backpack or even a picnic hamper.
When is a throw not just a throw?
Partnered with a chevron cotton fringed throw to utilise as a picnic blanket. Preferring to use a throw rather than a traditional throw as anyone with children will tell you items need to be dual purpose. Take this gorgeous chevron throw, it’s 228x254cm meaning that it’s big enough to accommodate us all on the ground if there are no picnic tables available, even then it can be folded and used as a table cloth for when the table in question doesn’t look all that hygienic.
It’s also perfect for throwing on the living room floor for a makeshift carpet picnic when the rain falls. Making a den between the sofas, or snuggling into on the way home from the beach (and you forgot to pack spare clothes) or even getting ready for family film night.
Stay hydrated
With the hopes that the sun will be shining for the remainder of the summer holidays, it important that everyone is kept hydrated. If you are attempting to sit and relax in the garden, just dipped into the paddling pool (they’re not just for the children) or getting to a good storyline in your book. The last thing you want to do is to keep getting up and down to refill drinks. This is when a serving set comes in handy, partnered with matching cups or the children’s firm favourite. They are able to feel grown up by pouring their own drinks from the jug.
Playdate packed lunches
Whilst the summer is about spending time as a family, there will always be those days when one of you is heading off. Whether the parents are heading off to work, the grandparents are kidnapping the children for a few hours or they are heading off on a playdate with a friend. Packing a lunchbox for them will ensure that they have supplies for the day – without you having to pay out unnecessarily for expensive takeaway foods.
Perfect picnic recipes
When it comes to picnic foods, almost anything goes. However, if you feel as though you have gotten into a rut of sandwiches, cocktail sausages and crisps. Take a look at these perfect picnic recipes to give you some inspiration:
- A twist on the traditional quiche, using Jersey Royal potatoes this new potato, spring onion and cheddar quiche is the perfect alternative to soggy sandwiches whilst add a splash of colour to your picnic.
- These mini tortilla pizzas are super easy to make and taste great cold – always a hit at picnics. You can use whatever toppings you like!
- You can whip up a tray of these posh sausage rolls in under an hour. Great for autumn tea times, autumn picnics or if you’re throwing a party and just adding to the spread of food.
- ‘Kebabing’ food is great for picnics because everything is contained and you don’t need knives and forks…or even plates. And who does love a traditional ploughman’s served on a stick?
Will you be enjoying a summer of family picnics and playdates? It will soon be time for thinking about back to school essentials.
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