Personalize Your Picnic and Be Prepared

No pictures today, just great ideas.

1. Grab up a pair of storage totes with locking lids instead of a picnic basket and bulky cooler. If you can, get them in different colors. In one, you can dump a bag of ice and keep your drinks cool, and the other can stow all the "dry" supplies like paper plates, napkins, clear garbage bags (one for trash, one for dirty dishes and clear so you can tell which is which), condiments, utensils, can opener, swiss army knife (several jobs in one tool!) and a container of wet wipes for cleanup.

2. If you use plastic ware, consider using a Sharpie to mark each family member's name on their own personalized utensils, cups, and plates. This can cut down on confusion and sibling arguments. You'll save money and trees.

3. Grab an old tablecloth or sheet at the thrift store and decorate it to suit your personal tastes with fabric paint, buttons, and even embroidery if you're ambitious. Stick it in the "dry" tote and never have to worry about what to sit on again. If sibling rivalry is a serious problem, use a Sharpie to divide the table into each child's own "area." You can renew the marks as needed, and allow each child to decorate their area with handprints, their names, and other symbols of themselves. Long after they're gone, you'll have a lovely keepsake.

4. For outdoor rituals, don't hesitate to mark your cloth like an altar, noting where you'd like certain items to fit your trad. This really helps when you have others helping you set up.