Memorial Day 2018 will be recognized as the unofficial start to summer all across our nation. If you are like millions of Americans, the traditional way of welcoming in a memorial day is by hosting a picnic. This Memorial Day weekend, make your Memorial Day go off without a hitch with these easy picnic tips.
Fire Up The Grill
A staple of every Memorial Day picnic is a fired up the grill. Make your picnic go off without a hitch this memorial day by grilling the perfect meal to serve. You can’t go wrong with the classic hot dog and hamburger duo. Just make sure to have your toppings like tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and pickles chopped beforehand to save you time on preparation during the picnic. If you want some more variety in the meat department, consider grilling up some shrimp and veggie kabobs. In the mood for something a little more seafood? Then grilled salmon is another quick and healthy protein to serve up during your picnic. If you are in the mood for a cold meal, then fried chicken is the way to go. Fried chicken is easy to transport and prepare. Plus, it’s another great protein to add to your menu this memorial day.
Opt For Cold Side Dishes
If you are venturing out for your Memorial Day 2018 picnic this year, then consider the food you pick for side dishes. If you are grilling out, there isn’t much of an issue with keeping your main dish warm. But if you are serving side dishes at your picnic, then opt for packing side dishes that don’t need to be served warm. Some great cold sides that are also filling include pasta salad, summer salads, and turkey or chicken wraps. You should keep in mind that side dishes that can be served cold will make your picnic a lot more manageable. You can set the food out in covered aluminum foil trays and uncover them when it’s time to serve it. Plus, you will save yourself a lot of headache and time by not having to worry about how to reheat your sides.
Dress Up Your Desserts
Don’t forget to show off your patriotism this Memorial Day 2018. A creative way to do this is by dressing up your desserts. It’s a sort of unspoken rule to include classic American desserts like apple pie and pudding. But if you want to take it a step further, then consider adding a decorative touch to your desserts. For example, if you are serving a pie, consider ditching the lattice pie crust cover and instead go for an American flag design. Use pie crust strips and small star pie crust cutouts to design a patriotic pie crust cover. For other desserts like pudding or cakes, consider using blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries to create patriotic designs, like the American flag, on top.
Bite Size Portions Are Your Friend
While the grill is firing up, keep your friends and family members occupied by having plenty of appetizers to choose from. When you are putting your appetizers together, keep the size in mind. Keep in mind that you should have plenty of bite-sized finger foods at your picnic for your guests to choose from. The key is to make sure your appetizers are served as small portions. Smaller portions will make for less wasted food. Plus, smaller portions tend to taste better than bigger portioned appetizers. Some great appetizers for your picnic that make great Memorial Day snacks include chicken sandwiches in mini croissants. Other bite-sized meals are turkey, and ham sandwiches in triangle sliced sandwich bread.
Kick Up Your Beverage Game
This Memorial Day, step up your beverage game at your picnic. The usual soft drinks housed in the cooler are great and all, but try putting a twist on things. Consider serving up some classic summer drinks like iced tea and freshly squeezed lemonade. Another great homemade picnic drink is fruit punch mixed with sprite and topped with sliced lemons and lime. Here’s a quick tip, save a couple of two-liter soda bottles and thoroughly wash them out. Use the bottles to transport any drinks that aren’t individually packaged. When you get to your picnic site, pour in your drinks in clear pitchers (you can find these at the dollar store as well). Throw in some sliced lemons, and you’re ready to serve up at your picnic this memorial day weekend.
Don’t Leave Out The Photo Booth
If you didn’t take a picture and post it, did it even happen? Make this Memorial Day one to remember by having a photo booth at your picnic this Memorial Day weekend. Unlike the idea of it, having a photo booth at your picnic is a lot easier than it sounds. Head to your local dollar store and pick out your favorite decorative garlands to use as a backdrop. Then, get your hands on some photo booth face props. Designate a corner at your picnic as the photo booth corner for your friends and family to snap photos in. Other cute photo booth props you can use are cut out foam board frames. You can buy these at many crafts stores, or you can make one yourself by picking up a foam board from your local dollar store. Decorate your foam board with patriotic decorations and encourage your guests to use a hashtag if they decide to post it. Some great Memorial Day hashtags are Memorial Day 2018, Memorial Day weekend, and Memorial Day picnic.
Make A List And Check It Twice
Before the Memorial Day weekend starts, make sure you have everything in order by creating a Memorial Day checklist. Keep in mind that the day of your picnic will be a bit hectic. So make sure you don’t miss anything by writing everything you need down. It’s best to start planning your picnic by writing down all the supplies you need and re-checking your list the day of the picnic. Keep in mind the little things you’ll need like grilling supplies and picnic essentials like napkins and utensils.
Don’t Forget About The Kids
This Memorial Day, make sure to have activities to keep the kids occupied at your picnic. Whether you are hosting the picnic, or just enjoying it, make sure to give yourself a break from the kids. You can do this by having a play area that is designated just for the children. If you can, try and have your picnic near a park so that the kids will be well occupied. For an added element of fun for the kids, consider having fun games like cornhole and water balloon tosses. Don’t forget about the little ones. Bring along a portable pack and play so that you don’t have to worry about carrying and entertaining little ones during your picnic.
Make A Trip To The Dollar Store
If you are hosting a Memorial Day picnic, then the price of all the little things you need for your picnic can really add up. Avoid breaking the bank this Memorial Day weekend by shopping at the dollar store. You can find everything you need from plates to silverware, to Memorial Day 2018 decorations. The great thing about the dollar store is their practicality. At the dollar store, you can get the same type of festive picnic ware sold in your grocery store for a fraction of the price.
Have Fun
Finally, don’t forget to have fun. Memorial Day is an excellent time for family and friends to get together. The best way to make sure your Memorial Day is memorable is by enjoying yourself and the company of those around you. It may not be often that you get to be surrounded by your loved ones for some lounging around and grilling out. Take advantage of your time off this Memorial Day by spending it with the ones you love and enjoying yourself.
Summer isn’t complete without a wonderful Memorial Day picnic to welcome it. Make this Memorial Day a remarkable one. By following these tips, you can ensure that your Memorial Day will go off without a hitch.