We’ve made a list of our must-have picnic essentials

Picnics mean joy. By their very nature, it has to be a good day to have one. Free time, warm weather, and good food are all what we associate with an outdoor feast.

Perhaps it’s also the novelty of the act, taking the time to eat not at the same dining table, or worse, office desk, but surrounded by nature, and all its accompanying smells, sounds, and textures. Whatever the reasons they give us pleasure, we’re vowing this summer to have as many as possible, so we’ve scouted out the accessories that will make any picnic even more perfect.

Summer stripes

First of all, we’ll need somewhere to sit, and this cotton throw will create the perfect stylish setting for any outdoor gathering. Multi-stripe throw, €75. aprilandthebear.com

Picture perfect

Sometimes it’s hard to resist an old classic, and we just know we’d be looking for any excuse to have a picnic with one of these traditional baskets. Its generous size is ideal if you’re feeding a crowd, able to take enough food to last all afternoon. Rattan basket, around €68. bloomingville.com

Picnic pots

Made from eco-friendly bamboo fibre, these containers are ideal for transporting everything from salads and sides to yogurt and cut fruit. Picnic storage pots, from €12.95. articledublin.com

Terrazzo tipples

Serve up drinks from these cute cups. Made of bamboo, they’re tough enough to handle outdoor dining and also good for the environment. You can even get matching plates to complete your picnic set. Rose terrazzo bamboo cup, €7.50. wearebarn.com

Drink up 

Handy for picnics but something you’ll also use year-round, this Stelton jug is a classic for a reason. It will keep one litre of liquid either cold or hot for hours, so you’re covered whether it’s a chilled cocktails or flask of tea kind of day. It also seals tightly so nothing is spilled on your journey. EM77 vacuum jug, €69.95. finnishdesignshop.com

Wonderful wood 

Forget flimsy plastic cutlery that’s probably going to end up in landfill, this set is made of maple wood. It’s not only beautiful, but durable too, so you’ll still be packing it for picnics in years to come. Set of four forks, spoons or knives, from €18.95. articledublin.com

Get stacked 

There’s no point preparing beautiful dishes to take on your picnic, only to realise you have no way to get them to your destination. (Has anyone else resorted to emptying out the biscuit tin?) There’s no danger of this with these ingenious stacking containers. Made from stainless steel, they seal tightly and also make for compact transportation. Picnic containers, from €22. industryandco.com

Featured image: Libbi enamel plate around €18, bowl around €16 and mug around €14, all from rowenandwren.co.uk