How to Host a Spring Hygge-Themed Picnic for 4

April 21, 2024

Spring is the perfect time to host a hygge-themed picnic in the park or at the beach surrounded by blooming flowers and the fresh salty air.

Gather some freinds and a large waterproof picnic blanket to block out the cold and help keep sand and dirt out. Then pile some cozy blankets or throws on top for lounging, pillows for comfortable seating, a portable speaker for soft background music. You can even brings some waterproof battery operated candles, lanterns or fairy lights for hygge ambiance (if it's an evening picnic).

I've listed some recommended picnic gear below for your convenience!

Need Spring Hygge-Themed Picnic Menu Ideas?

Beverages:

Homemade Lemonade or Iced Tea with Fresh Mint
Sparkling Water with Fresh Blueberries or Cucumber Slices and Lime
Chilled Herbal Tea Infusions (such as chamomile or lavender)

(We like lavender around here. In soap, candles and drinks!)

If making an herbal tea, you'll want to use whole organic flowers for several reasons:

Purity: Organic flowers are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. This ensures that your tea is free from harmful chemicals, providing a pure and natural taste.
Flavor: Whole flowers retain their essential oils and flavors better than processed or powdered forms. This results in a more aromatic and flavorful tea experience.
Therapeutic properties: Lavender and chamomile are renowned for their therapeutic properties. Lavender is known for its calming and stress-relieving effects, while chamomile is often used to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Using whole flowers ensures that you get the full spectrum of these beneficial properties.

You can find Organic Food Grade Dried Lavender Flowers here.

You can find Organic Whole Dried Chamomile Flowers here.

Eating Well has a wonderful Lavender-Chamomile Herbal Tea recipe.

I have used Lavender Syrup in lemonade and it's REALLY GOOD. (you can also use it in coffee, cocktails, iced tea, and more! )You can purchase Lavender Syrup here, or you can make it yourself using the organic flowers above and this simple Lavender Syrup recipe.

Ingredients:

1 cup of sugar (you can use other sweeteners such as coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave but if you want the purple color, plain white sugar works best.)
1 cup of water
1 1/2 tablespoons of dried or fresh lavender flowers

Instructions:

In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lavender and place over medium heat.

Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit.

Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until sweetener is dissolved and the syrup begins to thicken.

Let the syrup cool slightly.

You'll want to strain out the lavender flowers to achieve a smooth syrup without any plant material. Use whatever you have in your kitchen such as a fine mesh sieve: A fine mesh sieve or strainer, cheesecloth, coffee filter, muslin cloth or a tea infuser. If you have a large tea infuser or a mesh tea ball, you can fill it with lavender flowers and immerse it directly into the syrup while it's still hot. Allow the syrup to infuse with the lavender, then remove the tea infuser, leaving behind the strained syrup.

Pour into an airtight container for storage.

Appetizers:

Crudité Platter with Seasonal Vegetables and Herb Dip
Cheese Board with a Selection of Artisanal Cheeses, Nuts, and Fresh Fruits

Main Course:

Chicken Salad Sandwiches on Croissants or Whole Grain Bread
Grilled Vegetable Wraps with Hummus and Roasted Red Peppers
This Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad with rotini pasta, pesto, grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and fresh basil is a delicious twist on the traditional Italian salad.

Sides:

Mixed Green Salad with Strawberries, Feta Cheese, and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
Homemade Bread or Rolls with Herb Butter
Mad About Food has a killer Herb And Mustard Potato Salad recipe that I made.

Desserts:

Lemon Rosemary Minitarts (I tweaked this recipe with some fresh rosemary)

Mini Fruit Tarts with Custard Filling
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Need Some Picnic Gear?

Remember to pack everything neatly in baskets or a picnic hamper, and don't forget to bring along some napkins, utensils, and reusable plates and glasses to minimize waste.

While your shopping for your food and beverages, go ahead and grab some fresh spring flowers!

Wicker Picnic Basket Set for 4 Persons

A good p icnic basket makes it so easy. Look for one with a large insulated compartment like this one. It includes stainless steel tableware service set for 4, 4 melamine plates, 4 wine glasses, 4 matching napkins and even a waterproof picnic blanket.

ONIVA - a Picnic Time Brand - Blanket Tote XL Outdoor Picnic Blanket - Beach Blanket

This blanket is waterproof and measures 70 by 80 inches when open - plenty of room for 3, 4, and more - and folds up neatly into a small 18 by 11 by 5 inch tote.

Portable Waterproof Wireless Speaker

This wireless waterproof Bluetooth speaker is protected against rain, spills, and splashes and can even survive submersion in up to 3.3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Not only is it perfect for picnics, for taking to pool parties, beach parties, barbecues, biking, hiking, and camping.