The Art of the Picnic
The essentials

After a long hike in, nothing's more annoying than to discover you've forgotten the can opener! So think ahead… forgetting things at home can turn your picnic into a disaster.
Think about paper or plastic plates in various sizes, glasses, tablecloths, blankets or rugs, a corkscrew, bottle opener, Thermos, garbage bag so you can leave the spot clean, disposable hand wipes, dish towel, umbrella, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses… not to mention lots of laughter and good humor.

Because it's acceptable, of course, to eat with your fingers at a picnic, don't forget to bring along some paper napkins or a roll of paper towels.

The little extras…
Don't forget that your picnic should be a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. So let loose when choosing picnic supplies: bring brightly-colored plastic glasses and napkins tied up with a few flowers or shells.

Pack a tablecloth or car rug so that you don't soil your light-colored summer clothes, and to keep food off the ground or sand. There are all kinds of fabrics available in stores, so consider buying throws of different sizes, colors and materials, depending on the number of guests and the mood of the day. Print fabrics are important elements around which you can arrange all the other details. And why not add a bouquet of wild flowers?

Finally, consider bringing a beach umbrella if you're picnicking on the seashore or other unshaded place, since it's at lunch time that the sun beats down most fiercely.

And bring along some citronella products to keep away unwanted insects.