Planning the Perfect Picnic

WHO should I invite?

Unlike parties, picnics are intended to be more intimate affairs. This being said, you should limit your guest list to no more than five of your closest Neofriends. You don’t want anyone to feel overwhelmed but you don’t want any awkward silences.

WHEN should I have my picnic?

Once you decide WHO is coming to your picnic, it’s very important to decide WHEN to have it. The best time to have a picnic is a weekend. It gives you time to prepare the things you need to bring, and your guests are less likely to be busy. Make sure you pick a date that suits all of your guests. Picnics are best held on sunny afternoons, so be sure to check the weather (//www.neopets.com/weather.phtml) of whichever land you’ve decided to host your picnic in. If the weather looks good and clear, commence with the date you’ve selected. If the weather doesn’t look so great, you’re going to have to reschedule. Make sure you drop a Neomail to ALL of the guests you’ve invited to inform them of the change of plans. It would be the mark of a bad host to leave one of your Neofriends stranded at the picnic location in bad weather!

WHERE should I host my picnic?

One of the most important things to consider when hosting your picnic is the location. You want all of your guests to feel comfortable, yet you want it to be memorable. You could always go with the generic meadow or woods in Neopia Central, but if you’re feeling a little more daring, you might want to venture out to one of these fantastic locations.

Craving clouds? A very unique spot to have your picnic is Faerieland. There are some wonderful picnic clouds right outside of Faerie City just ready for you to use. There’s nothing quite like seeing Neopia from the clouds, and your guests will love it. Just make sure no one’s scared of heights!

Hunger for heat? If vast expanses of never-ending sand sounds pleasant to you, the Lost Desert is a great place to host your picnic! There are never crowds and there will be no problem finding an area to lay down your blanket. However, you may want to make sure no one minds sandy food.

Itching for isolation? If you don’t mind the eerie winds and frightening atmosphere, a secluded clearing in the Haunted Woods would be perfect for you! There’s not a lot of Neopians brave enough to wander the woods, so you and your guests will enjoy your picnic in peace.

Tingling for tropics? If you love spending long days in the sun, and enjoy the feeling of humidity, relaxing Mystery Island is a prime location for your picnic. There are many exotic local fruits to try, and the beach is always welcoming visitors. Be warned, however; some of the local customs can be difficult to get used to.

Keep in mind, these are just a few suggestions of spots that we like. The best spots are always the ones that you discover on your own.

WHAT should I bring?

Picnic Hamper - You need something to carry all of your delicious food in, and a picnic hamper is the easiest way to do it. There are different colours you can buy, and most come with another item you need, a Picnic Blanket.

Picnic Table (Optional) - If you find sitting on the ground on only a blanket uncomfortable, a picnic table is a great alternative. You can just throw your picnic blanket over the table and use it as a tablecloth.

Sun Screen - There are many different varieties and strengths, and it’s very important to keep your skin safe from the sun since you’ll be out in it all day!

Bug Spray - If you don’t want bugs swarming your blanket, some bug spray will repel them!

Entertainment - The best picnics are not just about the food. They also are extremely entertaining for all of the guests. The best games to play at picnics are ones that involve little equipment, but maximum fun! A great toy that can be easily brought anywhere and used in many different games is a Red Bouncy Ball. Have fun!

FOOD:

Drinks - Portable, sealed drinks are generally the best type to choose for picnics since you don’t want any messy spills in your hamper. Juice Cartons are available in many delicious flavors and your guests will love them! Fancy something with more of a kick? Everyone loves Neocola!

Main Course - The best picnic food are of course, sandwiches. They are perfect for making in advance and the combinations are endless. They can be made to suit anyone’s tastes. Of course, a sandwich will not be enough on its own, so bring some healthy fruits and veggies to accompany your homemade sandwiches.

Snacks - Your guests will need something to eat between courses! Anything that comes in a box and is tasty makes a perfect picnic snack. Faerie Chips, Neo Crackers, and anything else you can think of!

Dessert - No one can say they don’t enjoy a delicious dessert after a great picnic feast! However, it’s important to pick the right one. You want your dessert to compliment the other things you’ve chosen for your menu. If you want your dessert to be quick and easy, why not try Sugarbunny Surprise? This gourmet dessert comes in a neat resealable package that will keep unwanted pests out! If you feel like a more traditional cake, a good old Lemon Kougra Cake is always good.

NOTE: You’ll want to ask all of your invited guests beforehand if there are any food allergies, and you’ll have to plan your menu around that!

CLOSING

So, there you have it! All of the best tips on planning on a perfect picnic, from us to you. Now all you have to do is get out there and plan! It’s so easy, and it’s guaranteed fun for you and your Neofriends.