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These picnic features will save your summer

13.7.2023

Translation: machine translated

Picnic time, best time. At least if you've packed the right things in your basket. Here I present practical products that will protect you from typical outdoor pitfalls.

A lush green meadow in the sunshine, where elegant people in pure white summer dresses sit and sip a glass of wine with a flirtatious smile. That's probably what you have in mind when you think of picnics. But the reality is often different. Your back hurts as you try to find a comfortable sitting position while awkwardly handling your plate on your knees. And drinking from a lukewarm spritzer from which you have just fished out an insect struggling to survive.

Sound familiar to you? Then here are a few tips to help you enjoy a better picnic. Avoid the following traps:

Blanket debacle

In the beginning was the blanket. And they should not only look pretty, but also be suitable for outdoor use. If you don't shy away from the park or lake even in bad weather the day before or like to be outside until late in the evening, you should definitely choose a blanket that protects you from the cold and moisture. For example, this one from Koor. It not only surprises you with a coated underside, but also with an enormous size of two by two metres and plenty of space:

Picnic blankets

Koor Picnic blanket

This also puts an end to the occasional wet patches that push through the ceiling from the floor and whose origin you don't really want to know.

The situation is different on the beach: There is a high risk that - despite thorough shaking out - you can still build a sandcastle from the grains that cling to the textile fibres. To avoid this, you can use a straw or bamboo mat:

Yoga mats

Summertime Beach Mat

Pitch problems

If you are also a neck and back sufferer, eating from the floor or your lap could become uncomfortable over time. I'm sure you know the moment when you're looking for a practical sitting position with your plate, cutlery and drink in your hand and at the same time you want to avoid any accidents. And then, of course, there are the people with a talent for knocking over drinks. Is that you? Then you might feel picked up by the next product: the right basket. The one from Cilio is a mixture of table and basket. A basket, so to speak. The wide, flat lid offers you a small surface on which you can eat or place your cup or glass - like a mini table. This is no guarantee for pain-free and accident-free picnics, but it does have its advantages.

Picnic baskets

CHF124.–

Cilio Picnic basket for 4 people

A small cutlery set is also included. And brings us to the next classic disaster:

Forgotten cutlery

Maybe you don't have a ready-made picnic basket with cutlery set. Or maybe you're tired of digging through the kitchen drawer for the everyday crockery that doesn't always find its way back. Then this small eight-piece bamboo set from Wild & Stone could be of interest to you. It's enough for one person. In addition to a knife, fork and spoon, there are even chopsticks and a straw. A nice bonus: the pretty bamboo cutlery is certified for sustainability.

Cutlery

Wild & Stone Bamboo Picnic Cutlery Set, 8 pieces

Are you travelling in a large group for a picnic and have a penchant for the mundane? Here's a set with a chopping board and corkscrew:

Camping tableware

CHF39.55

Outwell Picnic cutlery set

If you always keep your cutlery set with your picnic blanket and basket or bag, you won't run the risk of forgetting it as quickly.

Crockery dilemma

You may also be familiar with the dilemma: you want to avoid disposable crockery, but at the same time don't want to pack heavy, fragile porcelain plates, glass bowls or drinking glasses in your basket. This is where plastic alternatives come in, which - admittedly - are more functional than attractive.

Picnic baskets

neuetischkultur Picnic set

If unsightly crockery kills all your picnic vibes, you could go for this Tierra series instead: The cups are prettier to look at than standard plastic containers, offer a good grip thanks to their grooves and are lightweight yet sturdy. An added bonus: they are made from recycled used plastic.

Drinking glasses

CHF6.90

Guzzini Tierra

0.35 l, 1 x

Practical lunch boxes and larger salad bowls with lids are also included in the range:

Bowls

Guzzini Tierra

30 cm, 5 l, 1 x

Serving cutlery

Guzzini Tierra

Salad servers

Storage containers

Guzzini 18180252 Tierra Storage Jar 100% Recycled Plastic Multicoloured One Size

0.50 l

Ant attack

Food and drinks offer their own theatre of war because they attract uninvited guests such as wasps, ants or spiders. Beer mats are the perfect solution for protecting drinks. They are light and easy to stow away. You simply place them on your glass as a precaution. If there is enough space in the basket, you can also use drinking cups with lids as an alternative.

Craft basics

Quantity discount

CHF8.70 per piece for 3 units

Folia Beer coaster

Drinking glasses

Pearl Retro drinking glass with handle, lid and straw, set of 3

0.45 l, 3 x

As far as food is concerned, there are two phases to a long picnic. Firstly, you eat and then, once you've satisfied your hunger, you snack. However, packing and unpacking salads, fruit, cakes, dips and baguettes every time is annoying. If you want to keep your food to hand but safe from insects, this small mosquito tent is the perfect place for it. According to the manufacturer, the pop-up mechanism makes it easy to set up. Afterwards, only a zip separates you from the snacks, but a solid fly net separates animal visitors from the snacks. Extremely practical, in my opinion.

Casativo 2er-Set Fliegenhaube für Lebensmittel

Animal repellers

CHF33.95

Casativo 2er-Set Fliegenhaube für Lebensmittel

Heat hell

Summer and the picnic season usually come with high temperatures - which we like, but not our drinks. After all, they need to stay nice and cool. There are some practical tools for this too. For example, these reusable cooling sticks that you can put in your drink - yes, even in your wine bottle.

Bar accessories

Kikkerland Reusable Ice Sticks

Reusable ice cubes

If you want to treat yourself to the luxury of extra beer glasses, you can opt for the double-walled versions from Infactory. Thanks to their design, they not only ensure longer refreshment, but also provide a little spectacle for the eyes. You can get them in a set of 2 or 4:

Beer glasses

Infactory Double-walled beer glass, set of 2

0.33 l, 2 x

Beer glasses

Infactory Double walled beer glass set of 4

0.30 l, 4 x

Well, if these products don't turn your picnic into a culinary outdoor experience! With these tools, you'll definitely be able to avoid a few mishaps. A little tip at the end: remember rubbish bags!

Cover photo: Laker/Pexels

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