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We’re right in the throes of summer and it’s the perfect season for entertaining outdoors. You don’t need much to set a welcoming table in the lawn. Here are a few of my essentials for a good summer picnic…

A basket

First, you’ll need a vessel to carry all of your supplies, napkins, and bites. I’ve seen Scout bags (like this one) used successfully. In my opinion, you just can’t beat a sturdy wicker picnic basket. There are some great ones out there and many come with a few plates and utensils.

An “in case of emergency” kit

This follows us from the polo fields to football games. Being prepared is not just a good motto to live by – it also helps when it comes to entertaining away from the home. Here’s what’s in our kit to keep our outdoor events going off without a hitch:

Melamine dinnerware

Stick with plates, bowls, utensils, and serving pieces that are low maintenance – and lightweight. A picnic is no time to drag out your heavy marble wine chiller no matter how chic it might look on a green backdrop. A petite marble cheese board is a different story, however. That’s perfectly acceptable in my book. Aside from a piece or two, you’ll want items that are light and don’t take up too much space. I rely heavily on our green melamine set from Williams Sonoma, which we’ve had for a few years and still love. That said, I’m so tempted by these patterned plates.

Acrylic wine glasses 

These are so much easier to clean and pack without worrying about them breaking. It’s helpful, too, as some outdoor events do not allow glass. Here’s our go-to stemless set and a set from Juliska that I’m loving. These from Crate and Barrel are stackable, too.

Tablecloth – and waterproof liner

One of my favorite tips is to layer up your tablecloths. Find an inexpensive picnic blanket that has a waterproof lining. Make sure the print and colors won’t show through any of the tablecloths you’d bring. Next, layer your nice tablecloth on top of that one and voila! No need to compromise on style – and you won’t ruin your nice tablecloth. I love Pomegranate, Inc.’s block print tablecloths. The one featured in this post is Equestrian Sketch. It’s currently sold out, but here is a similar print they offer. They’re great quality for good price points.

Cocktail and luncheon napkins 

Opt for disposable napkins or pick up a bunch of 12 at Home Goods for under $20 (shown in this post). Caspari is my absolute favorite place to get napkins. The cocktail napkins used here are Bamboo Green.

Something to keep your wine chilled

Bring a fun and lightweight ice bucket or wine chiller to make sure your drinks stay cool (how fun is this vintage Moet chiller?). You’ll probably want to pack your beverages in a small cooler. If you’re serving beverages that need ice – or dropping a few cubes into your rose – make sure that you pack a zip-top bag of ice. That bag will go into your ice bucket or will stay zipped and in your cooler. The key is that you won’t be pulling ice that’s probably not clean directly from the cooler.

Cheers!