Picnic Baskets & Picnic Ideas

INTRODUCTION to PICNICS "pic'nic (pik'nik), n. (origin uncertain) 1. A kind of fashionable social entertainment at which each person contributed food to a common table; now, an excursion or pleasure party in which the members partake of refreshments together, usually in the open air, the food being either carried by themselves or provided by one or more individuals for the party." (Webster's New International Dictionary) THE "PICNIC" has become an American institution. It has had an historic place in the building of our country, in the great pioneer house-raisings, in the political rallies of more than a century ago, in the recreation programs of a thousand giant industries, but always it has belonged especially to the home towns and families of the nation. It has always been a signal for good fun among good friends. No one will challenge its place today as the champion of recreation. As the outdoor get together was growing into a popular family and community event, it was often reserved for special occasions; family reunions, the last day of school, or the Fourth of July. The old-fashioned picnic wasn't considered a success without mountains of food and clans of relatives. Today no excuse is needed for an impromptu outing. Picnickers can be seen roasting corn at the great stone fireplaces in the national parks, baking clams at a moonlight beach party, or warming up at a winter campfire after an afternoon of mountain skiing. Families are getting together again around the picnic table. They are building fireplaces in their backyards and finding it fun to cook and eat out of doors. Father and mother are "discovering" their children, boys and girls are learning that mother can be a "pal" and that dad is really a "good egg." The popularity of picnicking, eating and playing outdoors has provided the hostess with a thousand new and inexpensive ways to entertain guests. next picnic basics page

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