12 Expert Tips for a Cozy Fall Picnic

Sitting in a grove of golden aspens, watching a few leaves swirl in the sky, while cuddling under a cozy blanket, sipping hot chocolate, and enjoying a delicious picnic is the perfect way to spend a fall day. Picnics aren’t just for summer, after all.

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Preparing for a fall picnic is different than gearing up for a mid-summer outdoor feast, so be sure to plan ahead and bring all the essentials for the autumn al fresco season.

We’ve rounded up 12 tips for the perfect fall picnic outdoors, with input from a professional.

1. Find the perfect location

If anyone knows how to plan the perfect fall picnic, it’s Pamela Davis, owner of Picnic Vail, which plans luxury picnic experiences in Colorado. She advises picnickers to spend some time finding the best spot for fall—which might be different than a perfect summer picnic location.

“Here in Vail, it’s finding an aspen grove where the yellow leaves have fallen to make a soft natural blanket,” Davis says. “[Places] that you never saw in certain ways show themselves in the fall. To be in an aspen grove with the leaves falling down on you like gold—it’s just magical.”

2. Look for a sunny spot

In summer, picnicking is a balancing act of dodging heat and direct sunlight—especially since some food can melt under the harsh sun—and shady spots are often preferred. In the fall, your strategy should be a little different.

“In the fall, I find that we want more of that direct sun, so we go for mid-day picnics right in the sun,” Davis says. Fall is also a time that can have fewer bugs, though it’s always a good idea to bring repellent along just in case.” 

3. Bring the essentials to sit and eat on

Consider what you would like to sit on, and what type of table you would like to bring. You could sit on everything from a tarp and blanket combo (with the waterproof layer being key to avoiding ground moisture soaking up into the seat of your pants) to the cowhide Davis likes to use for her luxury picnics. “It’s important to think about whether or not you’re driving up to a picnic site or you’re hiking in,” Davis says. “For us, we get a little bit fancier, and if you really want to treat yourselves, you could lay out a cowhide.”

Davis suggests roll-up tables, which can easily be packed into a bag and carried. If your picnic site is in a drive-up location, other types of tables can also work well. Pillows or short chairs provide other seating options, depending on the table height. Bringing a tablecloth is an easy way to elevate the experience, and Davis says real plates and glassware work best (but be sure to check local rules to make sure glass is allowed). 

4. Bring a hot drink

When the chilly fall weather sets in, it’s always nice to have a hot drink to warm yourself up with. Consider bringing an insulated bottle of your favorite fall beverage, whether that’s something like hot chocolate or hot apple cider, tea or coffee, or something else.

5. Prepare the food ahead of time

Spend your picnic enjoying the food and environment rather than preparing the food. Davis suggests preparing the food ahead of time by cutting everything into bite-sized pieces and repackaging the prepped food in containers to pack in your cooler before leaving home. Once you reach the location, she suggests setting out the serving platter, sanitizing your hands, and setting it up beautifully before enjoying. 

6. Make sure your picnic is wildlife-friendly

Always be conscious of wildlife and make sure to clean up all trash and crumbs—this is where a blanket is especially helpful. Keep an eye out for wildlife while you’re picnicking, never feed wildlife, and make sure they can’t access your food, trash, or crumbs. If you’re in bear country, be sure to follow good bear safety protocol on your picnic.

7. Double check you have everything before leaving home

Before you head out, make sure you have everything you will need, from plates to hand sanitizer to napkins. Double check how to open the beverages you’re bringing to see if you need anything like a corkscrew or bottle opener.

8. Bundle up to stay warm

Blankets are a picnic essential, and Davis says she packs them even for summer picnics to make sure everyone is comfortable. Consider packable soft and fuzzy or down blankets to stay warm and cozy. If it’s going to be especially chilly, consider hand and toe warmers or a hot water bottle.

9. Bring entertainment

Davis loves including games in her picnics, and one of her favorites is a pack of conservation starter questions. “We love the conversation starters, because even if you’re family and you’ve known each other your whole lives or you’ve been married 10 years and are on your anniversary picnic or you just met, it’s great for everybody,” she says. “You learn something about the person you’re with, and the next thing you know, it’s been two hours and you’re laughing and having a great time.”

Card games are also great for families, and at drive-up sites, she’ll set up corn hole, croquet, or similar games. She also sets her picnickers up with a Polaroid and film to take 10 photos, so they can take home treasured memories of time spent together.

10. Create ambiance

Adding little touches to create ambiance is a great way to maximize your picnic experience. “It seems kind of silly when you’re thinking about eating outside, but it’s amazing what a little vase will do and to pick just a couple things—it doesn’t have to be flowers—just something from your surroundings you can put in a vase on the table. It might be an aspen twig with changing leaves, or some of the foliage that’s sitting around, or whatever you see, and you pop it in the vase and it adds some nice ambiance.”

Davis also favors battery-operated candles for picnics a bit later in the day or in a shady spot. Battery-operated or solar-powered string lights take the whole experience up a notch.

11. Keep your eye on the clock

With long summer days, people might find themselves yawning and ready for bed before the sun fully retreats, but in fall, the day’s end can sneak up on you. Know when the sun is setting on the day of your picnic and plan accordingly, also considering if it may drop below mountains or trees even earlier.

“We’re working with shorter days,” she says, pointing out that a summer picnic might start around 3:30 p.m., but that won’t work as well in the fall. “You end up cold or maybe in the dark,” she says, if you plan a picnic for too late in the day.

12. Embrace fall vibes

Going for a fall picnic is a great way to embrace the spirit of fall. “Just being able to find somewhere with a view and see the colors of the trees change is just magical,” Davis says. “Everything just changes in the fall. You’re not battling the heat of the summer. I feel like in the fall, everyone wants to do things that are a little more cozy . . . It has a different vibe from summer.”

Source: https://outdoors.com/tips-for-a-cozy-fall-picnic/