“A picnic is a state of mind.”
A quote from How to Be Idle by Tom Hodgkinson
Years ago, on a gorgeous summer day, I took my two kids for a picnic on a whim. It was unplanned, unhurried, and to be honest, a bit of a gamble. Parents know that sometimes even the best intentions can go awry. “This is a great idea!” can turn to disaster in a matter of moments.
Nevertheless, I pulled an old blanket off the couch, packed a few PB&Js in Ziploc bags, and off we went to Frelinghuysen Arboretum. My kids went somewhat willingly since they were too young to really know what we were in for. I was smart enough to bring a ball, some games, and plenty of snacks. I’m pretty sure snacks can redeem any scenario that has gone belly up.
Upon arrival, they were immediately excited. The sprawling lawn in front of that gorgeous estate just begged to be run across. I laid the blanket down under the cool shade of a tree, and they kicked off their shoes.
And in those first few moments, magic happened. That ordinary patch of grass turned into something special. Those everyday sandwiches tasted better. The air felt lighter.
We chatted about everything under that warm sun. We played eye spy. We planned our next picnic. And it became our simple tradition.
While I’ve found picnics to be one of my favorite activities with kids, children are absolutely not required to partake. It’s the perfect activity for a romantic date or a get-together with the girls. In fact, the origin of picnics wasn’t centered around children at all.
The word “picnic” comes from the French “pique-nique,” which was an outing in the late 17th century where everyone brought something, like our modern-day potluck. After the French Revolution, many aristocrats migrated to England and brought this pique-nique culture with them. Since the outdoor lifestyle in England was thriving at this time, picnics became quite the event by the 18th century.
It became an event for the English upper class, who sought out countryside estates and parks to host, socialize, and eat. Even the novelist Jane Austen wrote of picnics in Emma as early as 1816.
As leisure became more accessible and travel easier, the middle class began adopting picnics as an escape from their hurried lives in the 19th century. Public parks expanded, giving all people access to green spaces, and dining alfresco became commonplace.
Bill Gelling, owner of Butter & Jam Café in Madison, says, “Nothing beats dining alfresco.” And of course, it all starts with the food. But the beauty is, it can be as simple or as fancy as you want. It all depends on the mood—but dessert is a must. Bill recommends, “A balanced lunch for me starts with something savory and ends with something sweet.”
And your setup can be as unfussy or opulent as the occasion calls for. Like me, a simple blanket and plastic bags were all we needed. You can kick things up a notch and stop for takeout and a bottle of wine, or hire a luxury picnic planner for a birthday or bridal shower like @latas_events.
The point is, get outside, breathe in the air, and feel unhurried for a few moments. It costs nothing! So grab your kids, your bestie, or your significant other and get planning. Pack a basket or cooler with goodies, and watch the delight happen. Bring a deck of cards, a few good books, or just simply be in good company.
...in those first few moments, magic happened. That ordinary patch of grass turned into something special. Those everyday sandwiches tasted better. The air felt lighter.
Best Picnic Areas
Morris County
1. Lewis Morris County Park
270 Mendham Road
Morris Township
2. Frelinghuysen Arboretum
353 East Hanover Avenue
Morris Township
3. Central Park of Morris County
1 Governor Chris Christie Drive
Parsippany-Troy Hills
4. Hedden County Park
124 Reservoir Avenue
Randolph
5. Loantaka Brook Reservation
468 South Street
Morris Township
6. Silas Condict County Park
100 Kinnelon Road
Kinnelon
For this story, we’d like to credit:
Tableware: South Street Gardens @southstreetgardens
Wine: Gary’s Wine & Marketplace @garys_wine
Colorful blanket: Mesoma Onyeagba @artbymesoma
Food: Butter & Jam Café @butter.and.jam.cafe