WHAT YOU NEED: Take what you need and no less. Take what you want and no more.
The Basket - don't use bags. They will be trampled on, and be crushed, etc. Use any basket, strong tote, cooler. Rectangular will always fit better. Consider a container that can also be used as a small table.
Cooler or ice chest - Give food a helping hand, fill your cooler with ice and let it stand for 30 to 60 minuets before loading. Try to match the cooler and contents. Don't lug around an enormous cooler for a couple of sandwiches and one 6-pack of drinks. Do leave room for ice.
Plates, cups, knives and forks. Consider disposable plates and washable plastic. Try to use unbreakable but solid pieces. Take extras of each of these.
Be sure you take everything you need - so you may want a can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, sharp knives for specific uses, cutting board, serving spoons, nut cracker? Take the specific items you will need. Got the toothpicks?
Food Containers & Protectors: Use adequate containers. Sauce leaking from an inadequate bottle can totally ruin the day. Stay away from breakable glass and china. Have a plan for covering the food during the picnic.
Outdoor Cooking: If you're going to do outdoor cooking first BE SURE IT'S SAFE. Camp stoves or hibachi are handy, but must be packed cool. Be very careful with disposing of coals hot or cold. Include fuel and matches, at least one hot glove or mitt. Take appropriate utensils. A small plant sprayer with water can be very helpful. Serving platters.
Table Cloth: The best bet is an old plastic-coated table cloth that can take the spills and be thrown in the wash. It should be big enough to comfortably hold all the food, containers and work space and at least some sitting space.
It's worth it to take along at least one blanket for children, a little nap and nature watching. Insect repellent, sunscreen, allergy medication, flashlight if it will get dark. A small first aid kit is always a good idea. What about a camera, a toy or two, the baseball and gloves,a frisbee, maybe a book or sketch pad. Make the day romantic or special, certain foods, a flower vase, disposable wine glasses or champagne glasses.
Clean Up: Take garbage bags. Use one for garbage, one for dirty dishes. Moist towelettes, wash cloth and soap, whatever you want to use to tidy up. It's always a good idea to throw in a roll of toilet paper.
To help foods stay cold, fill your cooler with ice and let it stand about an hour before packing.
Double-wrapping, first in paper, then in aluminum helps things like sandwiches stay cold. Use plastic containers for things you don't want to squash, and to keep it neat--olives, pickles, custard for the baby, etc.
Keep your sandwiches from getting soggy by putting the condiments in the middle of the sandwich, and put meat or cheese directly next to the bread, followed by the tomato, lettuce, then the mustard and mayo sandwiched in between.
Take along peppers, cinnamon, honey, lemon, steak sauce, mustard. Get or make up your own small-portion containers and put them all in a large baggie. Extra baggies always come in handy.
