15 Retro Picnic Essentials to Pack This Summer

Elevate your picnic from run-of-the-mill to retro fabulous. From old-fashioned baskets to vintage-style recipes, these 15 ideas will help you create the cutest picnic ever. 

Every vintage-themed picnic needs a checked blanket to set the scene. This extra large one is a whopping 80”x 80” and will fit everyone. Also, you don’t need to be worried about spills — the top layer is waterproof. 

A classic picnic basket is cuter than a basic cooler. This one has a wicker frame and a removable cotton plaid lining for easy cleaning. The basket looks like it’s a vintage find and it even comes with a matching picnic mat.

The ideal vibe for a retro picnic: rolling up on your vintage cruiser. Of course, the bike has to have a stylish yet useful wicker basket that’s filled with wine, cheese and grapes. Choose a basket that has interior drink holder straps to hold bottles and cups in place while you're on the move.

Serve your snacks on paper plates that are reminiscent of grandma’s dishes. A collection of wildflower designs complements that classic plaid picnic blanket. These  are also much prettier than plain old paper.

A tiny table you can carry to the perfect picnic spot is incredibly useful. Just cover it with a cute tablecloth, dishes and glasses, and your picnic will be ready to go.

The spread of food is the most important part of any picnic. A travel charcuterie board is a game-changer for transporting all those yummy cheeses, meats and fruits. 

Set the scene with comfy seating in the form of floor cushions. Choose cushions that come in a range of pastel colors and have a romantic look to them, like these.

Put away your Yeti and bring along a decorative and useful drink cooler. This Coca-Cola ice chest is not only chic, but also keeps drinks nice and cold.

Paper cups are convenient, but drinking lemonade or iced tea out of a mason jar is far more festive. Mason jars are typically pretty cheap, so stock up and reuse them for other drinks or projects later on.

A cold salad swimming in mayonnaise is a retro picnic must-have. Potato salad is essential, and this recipe from Allrecipes is simple and delicious.

Ingredients:

5 medium potatoes

3 large eggs

1 cup chopped celery

½ cup chopped onion

½ cup sweet pickle relish

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

¼ teaspoon garlic salt

¼ teaspoon celery salt

ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

Boil a large pot of water, then add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm.

Drain, cool, peel, and chop potatoes.

While the potatoes cook, boil eggs in a saucepan, then let them stand in hot water for about 10 minutes.

Remove the eggs from hot water, then cool, peel, and chop.

Combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, relish, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic salt, celery salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled.

Picnic cakes are typically different from regular cakes because they are easier to transport. Try this recipe from Food.com:

Ingredients:

1 can of sliced peaches, and liquid

1 package yellow cake mix 

1 cup coconut

1 cup nuts

3⁄4 cup of melted margarine 

Directions: 

Place the peaches and juice into a 9x13 ungreased baking pan.

Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the peaches.

Sprinkle the coconut on top of the dry cake mix.

Sprinkle the nuts on the top of the coconut.

Drizzle the melted margarine evenly over the cake.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes until nicely browned.

Wine and cheese are an integral part of enjoying any retro picnic. Pack them up in a cute yet convenient basket made just to hold such items.

Nothing says a summer picnic like sweet tea. This recipe is easy, delicious, and from your grandma’s days.

Ingredients:

6 regular tea bags

1⁄8 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups boiling water

1 1⁄2 to  2 cups sugar

6 cups cold water

Directions: 

Place the tea bags in a large glass measuring cup and add baking soda.

Pour boiling water over the tea bags.

Cover and steep for 15 minutes.

Take out the tea bags without squeezing.

Pour the tea mixture into a 2-quart pitcher; add sugar.

Stir until the sugar is dissolved and add cold water.

Chill in the refrigerator and serve.

Turn a watermelon into a punch bowl with this summery recipe from Martha Stewart.

Ingredients:

1 seedless watermelon (about 14 pounds)

3 cups seltzer

Directions: 

Cut the top third off a watermelon; trim the bottom just enough to make a flat surface. Scoop out the flesh.

Working in batches, puree watermelon in a food processor. 

Strain through a fine sieve; discard solids. (You should have about 9 cups of juice.) 

Cover the rind with plastic wrap. Refrigerate juice and rind until chilled, about 1 hour. 

Combine juice with seltzer, then transfer to the rind.

Use the summer tomatoes from your garden in this tasty dish that’s easy to pack for a picnic.

Ingredients:

1 9-inch pie pastry

3 tomatoes, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons salt

3 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup chopped fresh basil

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese 

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

¼ cup mayonnaise

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Press pie pastry into a 9-inch pie pan, being sure to prick the bottom and sides with a fork.

Bake until lightly browned, for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely; reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

While the crust is cooling, place tomato slices in a single layer in a colander; sprinkle with salt. Let sit for about 10 minutes to release moisture, then blot excess with a paper towel.

Arrange half of the tomatoes in a layer over the bottom of the cooled crust, overlapping the slices. Sprinkle half each of the garlic, basil, cheddar, and mozzarella. Repeat the layers once more, then spread mayonnaise over the top.

Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.