How to Give Your Picnic an Instant Upgrade

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We can always rely on Instagram to let us know about some of the lesser-known “national days.” Last Friday was no exception. Over 15,000 posts heralded National Picnic Day, an annual event devoted to eating outdoors. And with dining al fresco more in vogue than ever, it’s time to upgrade your picnic paraphernalia.

Portable Picnic Table

(Amazon)

Bring the picnic wherever you go with this four-seat wooden travel table. We love the way it folds down to the size of a suitcase for easy portability.

Wicker Picnic Basket

(Williams Sonoma)

This English-inspired wicker basket includes everything you need to serve four: Fine porcelain tableware, handblown wine glasses, linens, and assorted serving essentials for food, wine, and coffee.

Blanket Tote

(Food 52)

This overachiever unfolds to become a comfy, water-wicking outdoor blanket. Simply zip back up and it becomes a handy shoulder tote complete with built-in side pocket.

Champagne Picnic Table

(Amazon)

Toast the great outdoors with this convenient mango wood travel table. The custom design prevents spills and optimizes space.

Inflatable Chair

(Amazon)

Why sit on the ground when this supremely comfortable inflatable chair is so easy to tote around? Weighing in at less than three pounds, it inflates without extra equipment: Simply hold it open and run. Stakes are included, so you can secure it to the ground, too.

Charcoal Grill

(Amazon)

Earning Spy magazine’s “Best Design” accolade, Everdure’s colorful CUBE grills feature a large cooking area in a compact shape. Plus, it has chrome handles that stay cool after cooking.

Bartender Kit

(Amazon)

It’s Happy Hour anytime and anywhere. This chic bartender roll lets you easily transport all the accessories necessary to make everyone’s favorite cocktail-of-choice. Even bring ice in the included insulated bag.

Solar Lantern

(Amazon)

Picnicking under the stars? Bring along this portable lantern to set the mood for a romantic evening. It also sports a USB port to charge your phone.

Bug Shield

(Amazon)

Don’t let mosquitos or other pesky bugs wreak havoc on your picnic. This odorless, non-chemical, portable, and cordless machine creates a 15-foot zone of protection. Perfect for patios, decks, pools, porches, and more.

Portable Speaker

(Bose)

This brightly-hued SoundLink Color Bluetooth Bose speaker is designed for life on the go. Toss it in a bag or backpack and take it anywhere. Plus, its silicone body is water resistant, so you can listen by the pool or lake.

Bamboo Cutlery

(Wood Collection/Amazon)

Disposable cutlery just got a whole lot cooler. These eco-friendly bamboo utensils are completely biodegradable.

Melamine Dinnerware

(West Elm)

When paper plates just won’t do, opt for melamine—it’s super chic, lightweight, and extremely durable. Available in assorted, mix-and-matchable summery shades.

Food-Friendly Accessories

(Amazon)
(Amazon)

When it comes to getting picnic fare to its destination, it’s best to store food separately. This set of stackable silicone containers seals tightly to keep food fresher, longer. We also love these ingenious mini squeeze bottles for transporting—salads don’t wilt and side dishes get new life when tossed right before serving.

Elaine Raffel left the corporate world to become a freelance creative focused on real estate and design in Dallas.

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