Who doesn’t love a picnic? There’s always a reason for a picnic: a big family get-together, hanging out with your friends at the park, a company cook-out, or a romantic date with that special someone. What could be better than eating good food and having a fun time in the great outdoors? So why not consider making a picnic gift basket as a great present for someone who likes to enjoy the summer weather outside.

A picnic gift basket can be a fun gift to give to someone, but it’s also very practical. You might even want to make one for yourself!

To start, you’ll need a big picnic basket, or any other large container that’s easy to carry. Get one of those red checkered plastic tablecloths and line the basket with it. Buy some packages of plastic tableware, including knives, forks and spoons. Try to get them in bright colors. You’ll also need paper plates and napkins; look for something decorated with a summery theme.

Include some yummy picnic favorites that won’t spoil. Crunchy or sweet snack foods such as potato chips or cookies are a good choice. Add some unopened containers of condiments such as barbecue sauce, catsup and mustard, as well as salt and pepper shakers and some packets of sugar. Throw in some wet wipes and a trash bag for clean-up time. And don’t forget the matches.

Here’s where you can have a little fun. Buy some candy or plastic bugs and ants, and place them strategically around the basket.

A nice idea is to prepare a checklist of anything you would usually need to pack for a picnic. This would include food items such as the hamburgers, hot dogs and buns, salads, drinks, etc. You can also list things such as lawn chairs, games, and blankets. Design the list on your computer and give it a nice picnic related border. Make a few copies and add them to the basket.

There’s a lot of stuff you’ll want to include in your picnic gift basket, but don’t go overboard. If it’s too full and weighs too much, it can’t be easily taken from the car to the picnic table. One solution is to make up two baskets instead of just one. The first could contain the paper and plastic products, the second could be full of food items.

So if you know someone whose summer plans include lots of picnics, this could be the perfect gift. It’s a great way to let them have picnic essentials ready to go anytime, and will keep them from forgetting any of the necessary ingredients of a great summer picnic. It’s such a good idea, you’ll probably want one yourself. So get packing!