Blankets, baskets and a flask that holds a bottle of wine: nine great picks for an elevated picnic
Retire your plastic cups and paper plates in favor of some sturdy (and chic) upgrades to store and chill food and drinks
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Picnics are a spectacular way to enjoy fresh air and sunshine, but packing and lugging food, keeping it chilled, and trying to find a comfortable place to sit might seem like more trouble than it’s worth. If you want to take advantage of the summer weather, whether it’s a barbecue in the park or an al fresco lunch at the beach, all you really need are your favorite foods, a few drinks and a big blanket.
But if the logistics of it all – such as finding the right cooler, plates or containers – are cramping your style, it’s possible to elevate your outdoor dining experience with a few upgrades.
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Anyday Anydeli Mixed Food Storage Set
Store cut fruit, salads and more in these durable, plastic-free silicone storage containers that our tester called “the perfect food storage”. The material makes these safe for use in the fridge, freezer, microwave and oven (up to 450F), and since they’re translucent, it’s easy to keep track of what’s inside. Their shape also makes them easy to stack, so you can pack your picnic basket more efficiently.
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Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Cups
Please retire your red Solo cups and give yourself (or someone you love) the gift of an upgrade with this stainless steel set from Klean Kanteen. They can hold anything you want to drink, from water to a Negroni and, with a lid and straw accessory, can even serve as kids’ sippy cups. Go for the classic silver or have a little fun and go for a cheery assortment of powder-coated bright colors.
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Away Cooler Tote
Hard-sided coolers are great, but sometimes you need a more portable solution. Away’s insulated tote is meant to keep your food and drink cool for up to nine hours (with ice), perfect for a picnic or day trip to the beach. With a 30-liter capacity, it’s roomy enough to stow a couple of bottles of wine, a few cans and food storage containers. The double handles and a detachable strap offer two ways to carry it, and the welded seams and zipper closure keeps your deviled eggs and sandwiches well-contained. Bonus: there’s a strap for a picnic blanket and an attached bottle opener so you’ll never have to track one down. (If you want even more options, we tested the best portable coolers.)
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Yeti Lowlands Picnic Blanket
A picnic is no fun if the blanket you can really feel the ground you’re sitting on. Yeti’s popular picnic blanket features padding and a waterproof layer to keep your seat bone dry on dewy grass or damp sand. The other face is a soft, plush material that feels nice to sit on, but also repels dirt and pet hair. When it needs cleaning, it can go right into the washing machine and dryer for truly hassle-free maintenance. When you’re done with your sandwich and pasta salad spread, just fold the blanket and tuck it into its matching storage case so it’s clean and ready to go for your next outdoor outing.
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Luxury in the Outdoors Outdoor Tablecloth
This reusable, generously sized tablecloth dresses up a campsite or park picnic table and makes the outdoor dining experience feel a little less rustic. Made of oilcloth and available in an array of patterns (including the cheerful floral and gingham prints we’ve linked here), it’s waterproof, durable and an excellent – and more eco-friendly – alternative to disposable table covers. Small spills can be wiped off with a damp cloth, while larger spills can be rinsed off with a hose – just hang the cloth to dry when you’re done. The set includes straps for securing the fabric when it’s windy and a carrying case for storage.
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Year & Day Outdoor Serving Set
Serve your guests with something that’s a couple of steps up from the standard grocery-store aluminum carrying trays. Year & Day’s outdoor serving set provides a gorgeous backdrop for salads, grilled meats and other bites. It includes a 9.25in bowl, 13.25in low bowl and 13.5in serving platter, each made of compressed plant starches and bamboo, so they won’t break if you drop them in the parking lot. Like any outdoor serveware worth its salt, these pieces are microwave- and dishwasher-safe – and surprisingly light, making them easy to tote around with the rest of your picnic supplies.
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Naturally Chic Bamboo Leaf Plates
Paper plates, even the heavy-duty ones, often collapse under the weight of barbecue ribs or cut watermelon. This sturdy set is made from fallen bamboo leaf, a natural material that is plentiful and also replenishes very quickly. For larger group gatherings, this includes two sizes (7 and 10in) of disposable plates that are microwave-safe, biodegradable and compostable, so you can toss used dishes in the compost bin or garbage when it’s time to clean up.
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High Camp Parkside Flask 750
You can pour an entire bottle of Hampton Water into this vacuum-insulated flask, and it’ll stay cool for up to 24 hours. The set also includes two stemless tumblers that attach to the top and bottom of the flask using magnets, so you’ll never lose them.
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Snow Peak Titanium Cutlery Set (pack of 12)
If you’re trying to keep your basket easy to carry, consider investing in this set of reusable titanium cutlery from Snow Peak, a Japanese-designed camping brand that counts every ounce. Lightweight but sturdy, this set includes four place settings (composed of a fork, knife and spoon) that hold up against heat and can also handle tougher foods, such as hard-to-cut grilled meats or raw vegetables, without bending, breaking or snapping in two. (If you need extra or just want your own personal set, you can buy the utensils à la carte.)
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Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
Explore the Filter
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