| Recently I read my son's story book, where he | | | | by a river, playgrounds, historic buildings, botanic |
| wrote about our last holiday. It said "We are going | | | | gardens, national parks. When all you need is a |
| to Tathra, because we never get to go | | | | picnic rug and a hamper full of food, there are |
| anywhere". I'm afraid it's true. Lack of funds and | | | | tons of possibilities. I could have a picnic at a new |
| my husband's work commitments generally | | | | spot every week and still never run out of places |
| means we are staying home when other people | | | | to go.We also have special days when we have |
| are leaving town. But one thing we do do - and | | | | picnics. Boxing Day is a good day for us to have |
| do often - is have picnics.Picnics are a great way | | | | a picnic. It gets rid of some of those Christmas |
| to spend some quality family time together. And | | | | leftovers. However, I do live in Australia and the |
| it's a fun way to do something special when a | | | | weather might be a bit better for a picnic on |
| holiday is out of the question. Even though it | | | | Boxing Day for me than it is for you.A picnic can |
| doesn't take up much time, it can be just as | | | | become a pain if you are not prepared. Check |
| meaningful as a holiday. I can remember each | | | | and double-check your food hamper. Do you have |
| picnic our family has had - and I know the children | | | | enough plates, knives, serving spoons, napkins? |
| do too.The best thing about having a picnic, is it's | | | | Make sure you have a picnic rug if you need one. |
| easy to have a picnic that suits your needs. If | | | | Check the weather and be prepared. Take |
| you only have an hour to spare, you can make a | | | | sunscreen, hats and aeroguard if necessary, or |
| quick snack and take it down to the local park or | | | | warm coats if the weather is cooler. If there's a |
| river. If you want to make a day of it, packs lots | | | | possibility of rain go somewhere where you can |
| of food and lots of games and pick a place that is | | | | eat under shelter.Think about ways you can make |
| good for a walk or a swim. And don't forget to | | | | your picnic even more special. Take a pretty |
| take a camera, so you don't miss out on your | | | | tablecloth, pretty napkins and a nice centrepiece. |
| "holiday shots".If money isn't an issue, pack some | | | | Write notes to your family, telling them how |
| special food that you don't generally eat. Splurge | | | | much you love them and love spending time with |
| on the kinds of foods that you generally pass by | | | | them, and place them under their plates. Include a |
| in the supermarket. If you're on a budget, then | | | | favourite food for each family member. Pack a |
| limit the foods to less expensive ones. Enhance | | | | surprise that nobody knows is in there. Create |
| the experience by cooking some food with your | | | | your own picnic traditions. How about a special |
| children beforehand.Picnics can also be a great | | | | song you sing on the way to the picnic? My sons |
| time to socialise with other people without having | | | | and me sing a song about a bumpy road that |
| to spend a lot of time preparing your house or | | | | always has everybody in giggles. Create a picnic |
| trying to impress. Ask people to bring along their | | | | king or queen. Make special hats that you only |
| own picnic lunch or a meal or snack to share. On | | | | wear for picnics. Create a rule that everybody |
| the subject of socialising, I've found picnics are a | | | | going on a picnic has to wear something blue or |
| fun way to have a cheap stress-free birthday | | | | red.If everybody is starting to get stressed or |
| party. Children seem to have more fun in an | | | | irritated, then it's time to rethink what you're |
| outdoor environment and there's very little | | | | doing. If you hate cooking, don't feel like you have |
| cleaning up to do afterwards.Our family has | | | | to cook food for the picnic. Buy it instead. Don't |
| special picnic spots that we go to often. They feel | | | | make everybody play a certain game if nobody |
| like our own special places. But we also like to try | | | | really likes it. The picnic should reflect what your |
| out new spots. There are so many places you | | | | family likes doing. Remember that the idea of a |
| can go to have a picnic; neighbouring towns, spots | | | | picnic is to bond as a family and have fun. |