Memorial Day is right around the corner. It’s a day primarily meant for honoring those who have died by serving our country. However, it’s also a day to spend with friends and family. What better thing to do than have a Memorial Day picnic on Monday afternoon with those who are close to you? Enjoy the day off, say a prayer to those who have sacrificed their lives for the United States, and eat some delicious food surrounded by good company. Here are some ideas to help you plan the perfect Memorial Day picnic.

What’s on the Menu?

• Hamburgers & hot dogs
• Sandwiches
• Sliced watermelon with mint
• Potato salad or coleslaw
• Patriotic salad (baby arugula, goat cheese, cranberries, blueberries, and pecans with a citrus vinaigrette)
• Caprese salad skewers (tomatoes, mozzarella balls, thai basil)
• Fruit skewers arrayed as the American flag (blueberries, raspberries/strawberries, and bananas)
• Strawberries dipped in white chocolate and blue decorative sugar
• Star-shaped Hand Pies (filled with a patriotic, berry filling)

What Drinks to Serve

• Arnold palmer with a sprig of mint
• Chamomile spritzer with lemon
• Freshly brewed iced tea
• Freshly-squeezed lemonade
• Berry smoothies
• Seltzer with lemonade or juice
• Strawberry daiquiris
• Wine or beer of your choosing
• Mike’s Hard Lemonade with raspberries
• Sangria with red and blue berries and pineapple

Best Outdoor (& Indoor) Locations

You can only hope that Monday will be a sunny day with clouds and a nice breeze. If so, take the ultimate advantage by having your picnic outside. If the day turns out to be rainy and cold, you can still have a successful picnic inside.

• Plan a short hike to your favorite spot and set up camp on a blanket. Lunch with a view is so much better.
• Celebrate your Memorial Day picnic at a local state park.
• Enjoy a nice picnic lakeside, pondside, or on the beach. Nothing beats being able to grill your own burgers and hot dogs right before eating them.
• If you’re on campus for the summer, why not enjoy a picnic on the quad?
• Have your picnic in someone’s living room. You can get creative by making a tent with sheets like you used to when you were little. Setting up candles around the room will add an extra element of coziness.
• If you want to enjoy your picnic in a public setting, head to a local museum or library. There’s no harm eating somewhere public as long as the place allows it and you clean up after yourselves.
• Still want to have your picnic outside by not in the rain? Many parks have pavilions. You can experience an outdoors picnic without you or the food getting drenched. A few extra blankets wouldn’t hurt on a cold, rainy Memorial Day.

Decorations

• Vase of flowers
• American flag toothpicks
• Red, white, and blue plates, napkins, utensils, etc…
• Patriotic mason jars

For more ideas, check out Pinterest and Food Network for recipes. But remember it’s more fun to put your own spin on classic, picnic dishes. Keep your picnic simple, on a budget, and molded to your style and preferences (time to bring out the family recipe cards). You can’t go wrong with picnic food and drink and those who you love. Be safe and have fun during this long weekend.