8 Must-Know Picnic Hacks for Your Fourth of July Party
Have an outdoor picnic without packing up your entire kitchen.
Enjoying an outdoor picnic on the Fourth of July sounds lovely, doesn't it? Packing up everything you need for said picnic doesn't. The checklist can get long: utensils, plates, napkins, drinks, cups, ice, food — I could go on and on. The good news is, it doesn't have to be stressful. Follow our clever tips and tricks to throw a successful picnic without the hassle of hauling all that stuff.
Add Some Wheels
Photo by Sam Henderson
Unpack everything from your car into a wagon for an easy way to transport essentials to your perfect picnic spot. Plus, a red wagon adds a touch of Americana style to your Fourth of July party.
Muffin-Tin Storage
Savour Imagery LLC
Transport handheld treats in a muffin tin covered with plastic wrap, or fill with a variety of dips and condiments for easy dipping and sandwich smothering.
More Smart Party Swaps
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Bar in a Jar
Store all liquor bottles in a large container so guests know exactly where to look for the good stuff. When the party's over, you won't have to individually collect all the bottles — just place the large container back in the wagon.
Paper Cups FTW
Minimize serveware by using small paper cups for beverages and bite-sized snacks. For a festive touch, cut out star shapes from patterned scrapbook paper and attach to cups with double-sided tape.
Disposable Dinnerware
Strawberry Baskets
Instead of paper napkins or plastic plates, serve your guests finger foods inside of strawberry baskets. These are easy to hold, help avoid any spills and effectively store seasonings and toppings.
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Use berry baskets from the grocery store to serve larger quantities of food — they're more compact than paper plates.
Easy Food Storage
Place bread, meats, fruit, sides and sandwich toppings in separate containers the night before your picnic. You can store leftovers and/or dirty dishes in these containers after your party. (Don't reuse containers that had raw meat in them.)
Picnic Basket Hack
If your picnic basket doesn't have flatware storage underneath the lid, add some! Attach elastic cord to the bottom of the lid with dots of glue or staples spaced about 1/2-inch apart. Store flatware, bottle openers and other utensils for guests to easily grab.
Sweeten Drinks + Keep Food Cold
Sweeten water with frozen fruit. The night before the picnic, place small berries and other fruit in an ice tray with a little water. The day of, place the ice cube tray in a cooler on top of perishables to keep them cold during transport. Remove from the tray when you're ready to add to beverages.
Picnic Tip: Pack a Cooler Like a Pro
Fourth of July Recipes + Cocktails
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