When it’s summer in the Northwoods, we hardly need an excuse to pack a gorgeous picnic and enjoy it by (or on!) the lake. With the 4th of July coming up, we’ll take the excuse anyway!

Here’s a fun guide and quick checklist to the perfect Wisconsin picnic, for the upcoming holiday or any other beautiful day this season…

1. Best Picnic Blanket for a Dry, Comfy, and Colorful Seat

A wet backside can ruin a picnic nearly as quickly as bugs, so you’ll want a blanket that’s up to the task. (And some high-quality insect repellent, too.) 

We Love… Textillery Weavers Sunbrella High Performance Indoor Outdoor Blankets. They’re great at preventing soak-through. Plus, they’re machine washable (three cheers!) and resist sun and mildew damage. What more could we ask for?

2. Virtually Indestructible Outdoor Dishware Options

When you’re dining outdoors, using glass dishware can be a risk, BUT opting for paper plates is a good way to squeeze in an afternoon run… chasing your dishware all the way down the shore. We have a better solution.

We Love… melamine picnic plates and unbreakable wine glasses from Le Cadeaux! Not only are these options heavy enough to defy most winds, they’re also easy to clean and come in many lakeside picnic-worthy styles!

3. Classy & Creative Cleanup

When it comes to cleanup, not having a kitchen sink handy can require a little creativity. The solution: cloth napkins. They’re less likely to blow away in the wind or shred in your hands, and they’re much better at keeping those hands and faces clean. Plus, they add to the look.

We Love… any cloth napkin will do, but sometimes a colorful cotton kitchen towel works best.

Quick note: A travel-sized bottle of hand-sanitizer won’t go amiss here either, especially if you apply insect repellent or take a dip in the lake pre-picnic… two things you probably don’t want to ingest!

4. Best Food and Wine Ideas for Your Lakeside Picnic

Some things you probably do want to ingest…

• Fresh fruits
• Variety of cheeses (no shortage of great options in this beautiful state)
• Artisan breads from a local bakery
• Assorted crackers
• Smoked meats or salmon
• Wine!

We Love… the Wine Barn in Manitowish Waters. Fantastic options, and they can help you pair your wine selection with the cheeses you’re bringing!

5. A Final Touch to Create Your Picnic’s Ambiance

Part of the fun of a picnic is having it look like a picnic. You have the blanket and cloth napkins, the dishware, the food… Now you just need a mason jar to display some fresh flowers! 

Trust us, whoever is accompanying you on this picnic will be more than impressed by this simple but creative touch! Enjoy. 🙂

 

Lakeside Living’s Printable Checklist of Picnic Essentials

• Blanket in high-performance fabric
• Melamine plates and/or bowls
• Plastic or metal silverware
• Unbreakable wine glasses
• Cloth napkins
• Hand-sanitizer
• Insect repellent
• Fruits
• Cheeses
• Artisan breads
• Assorted crackers
• Smoked fish or meat
• Wine!
• Mason jar(s)
• Wildflowers

Looking to find some picnic essentials? Stop by Lakeside Living today or give us a call!