How to plan the perfect picnic

Do you opt for a shady tree to escape the heat or prefer the sunniest spot in the park? Either way, you’ll want a comfy place to sit.

This beautiful patchwork picnic blanket is lovely and soft, yet still light and compact enough to carry with ease. It’s made by artisans employed by Asha Handicrafts who support over 800 local people in disadvantaged communities in India.

Each one is unique and made from recycled saris. They make a great talking point at a picnic, as well as making friends green with envy.

Go one step further to elevate your picnic hosting with this set of four block-printed napkins.

Each one has been handmade using engraved wooden blocks, coated in dye, and then stamped onto the cotton, leaving an original block pattern. Not only are they wonderfully whimsical, but they’ll endure more than just a few summers.

You’ve only just settled into deep conversation with a friend, but little ones have already wolfed down their cheese sandwiches and are starting to fidget. Keep the conversation flowing by stashing a few fun activities aside that are guaranteed to entertain the kids.

Made from high-quality non-toxic materials, these characterful skipping ropes are made by artisans working in Fairtrade conditions at Gospel House Handicrafts in Sri Lanka, and they offer lasting fun for outdoor adventures.

Picnicking solo? Master the art of relaxation instead with a pack of Mindful Minutes meditation cards. Just kick-start the mini glass hourglass and lie back, exploring one of the twenty guidance cards to help you unwind on a meditative journey.

Real picnic experts appreciate their gatherings with a side of high-quality, unique delicacies.

Support Palestinian producers

Look no further than Zaytoun’s mouthwatering and ethically sourced fine foods.

For those less familiar with the award-winning social enterprise Zaytoun, you’ll be glad to know that 100% of their profits are reinvested into furthering their mission to support the livelihood of Palestinian farmers through fair trade. This enables farmers and cooperatives a fair price for their goods and allows them to invest in their tools for the future.

A favourite from the range is the Zaytoun Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is produced from rain-fed, hand-picked olives. It boasts the rich aroma of Palestine’s olive harvest season, which makes it a perfect choice for special occasions like the first picnic of summer.

Drizzle it on salads for a simple but instant upgrade or mix it with a teaspoon of Zaytoun za’atar, an aromatic herb mix made from an indigenous variety of thyme, sesame and sumac. It’s traditionally eaten alongside crusty warm bread or as a seasoning for meat, fish and roasted vegetables. And if you’ve got time to spare, Zaytoun offers up an incredibly crowd-pleasing Feta and Za’atar pinwheel recipe.

Those who are no strangers to a cheese platter at a picnic will appreciate the crunchiness of Zaytoun’s raw almonds against a soft cheese and white wine. If this is inspiring you to try out some of your own delectable recipes using Zaytoun’s delicious offerings, you can find more over in our Iftar recipes blog.

For those of us with a penchant for a little heat, School Yard Kitchen’s Ghanaian chilli oil can be drizzled, dipped and blended to transform bland bites. Made in small batches in Scotland, it directly contributes to sustainable development for Ghanaian children and also promotes social inclusion in Scottish communities.

It’s time to pack away the picnic but there are no bins in sight. The uneaten food and used crockery are starting to smell not-so-fresh in the hot summer sun. Only the most seasoned picnic-lovers will know the power of packing a scent booster (or two!) to keep picnic baskets smelling fresh.

These musk-fragranced scent bags have been made from environmentally friendly hand-loomed khadi fabric. What’s more, they’re made by female artisans employed by Mother’s Commerce Company, where they receive fair wages, medical insurance, and good working conditions. We recommend them as a non-toxic car freshener and for keeping clothes fresh, too.