by Minute Major

Created on: June 15, 2010

A great picnic is one that is creates cherished memories for friends and families. To create everlasting memories and throw a successful picnic some general necessities as well as extra features should be included in the event.

Music

Music is a great source of entertainment as it encourages singing, dancing, and generally makes the difference between a dull gathering and an electrifying happening. Create the perfect soundtrack to your picnic by creating a mix CD, setting up a play list, or hiring a band. Take into consideration the demographics of those attending, as well as the theme of the picnic. Generally a warm summer day can be perfectly matched with upbeat acoustic tunes. Songs about relaxation, good times with friends or even partying can create a great environment for entertainment. Make sure to play songs that everybody recognizes and preferably something that can be danced to.

Food

You can't have a picnic without food, but having great food, or rather fun food, can really make an impression on those who attend. Spice things up a bit and try something different. Don't sway too far away from the expected picnic foods, but don't be afraid of trying something new. Instead of hot dogs try cheese-filled bratwursts. Instead of fruit salad, serve fruit kabobs. Have an assortment of drinks to appeal to a large crowd. If there is a lot of people attending, go all out and have a pig roast. Having an impressive menu will surely give people something to talk about.

Activities

Between socializing and eating, “picnickers” enjoy physical activities and the thrill of competition. Volleyball is a great picnic game as people can join in and play as they wish. Other great ideas are horse shoes, “corn-hole” (also known as “bags” or “hillbilly horseshoes”), Frisbee, bocce ball, croquet, football, “ladder golf”, slip-and-slides, water balloon / squirt gun fights, or even simple playing cards. These games can be played by those of all ages and are the source of hours of fun.

Location

As in real estate, location makes a huge impact on a picnic. Locations can vary from your backyard to a city park. The beach makes a great location for a picnic and often provides fantastic scenery. Parks are always a great location, especially those that have grills, volleyball / tennis courts, and playgrounds for the young ones. It’s probably best to choose a place that is not crowded and is large enough to accommodate everyone attending.

Socialization

A picnic is a great chance to get to meet people, see those you don’t see often, and learn about others. Get some conversations rolling, tell some jokes, introduce people and try to be as outgoing as possible to spark socialization amongst others. If you are the host of picnic attempt to have a conversation with every participant and greet them when they show up.

Picnic Themes

Having a themed picnic can encourage creativity and be a lot of fun. Popular themes such as Hawaiian luau, Mexican fiesta, or beach theme can allow you to be artistic with the food, attire, and music. Having a theme gives people a chance to go outside the ordinary and explore various other cultures.

If you follow these simple tips your picnic will be a grand festivity that will be talked about for years!

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