Memorial Day is usually spent watching the latest blockbuster film, but it is also a great time of year to get outside and celebrate the nice weather. Depending on where you live you may be able to plan a traditional picnic with blanket and basket, or maybe just bring the idea of summer inside, but either way planning a Memorial Day picnic is a great way for you to spend the first long weekend of the season with family and friends. Here are some great and fun menu ideas for your holiday picnic as well as some tips for giving it a Memorial Day theme!
Food And Drink!
When planning any menu it is always important to balance taste and nutrition. It is also important to a have a theme and, since this is a Memorial Day picnic, choosing menu items that are simple to prepare and eat outdoors, as well as All-American, is your best bet. Things like burgers and hotdogs are great for backyard picnics. Fried chicken is another great main course idea, but if you want something more portable a hero sandwich is an easy choice.
To complete your meal, items like potato salad, garden salads, and coleslaw are inexpensive and easy to prepare sides, but if you are looking to get more creative then consider a nice pasta salad or a seven-layer dip. Lastly, don't forget dessert! Staples like apple pie, brownies, or cookies are all great and easy choices.
For drinks you'll want to provide several choices and some non-alcoholic beverages to make all your guests happy. Lemonade and other fruit-based drinks will make the kids happy and are also great mixers.
Decoration Ideas
The easiest way to decorate for your Memorial Day picnic is to use red, white, and blue. Set your picnic table with a blue tablecloth or blanket and add red and white napkins, plates, and cutlery. You can also continue this theme by adding an arrangement of red, white, and blue carnations or other flowers, and add a few small flags to give it that finished look.
Memorial Day is a great time of year to host a party for family and friends, and these ideas can help you get your summer season started with a fun and inexpensive picnic.
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Planning The Perfect Memorial Day Barbeque
While the focus is often on the Fourth of July when it comes to backyard celebrations, Memorial Day is often a popular choice as well. In many parts of the country, the weather is finally becoming warm enough to truly enjoy the outdoors as the summer season kicks off. Memorial Day is the perfect time to gather friends and family together for the perfect backyard barbeque.
What's On The Menu?
With all the other activities that are planned for the Fourth of July, the menu is often simple. Since Memorial Day is usually more low-key, consider going the extra mile when it comes to the food you choose to serve. Barbecued ribs are a finger licking good favorite that everyone will appreciate. They can be a little expensive, though, so they might only be a good choice for a small gathering. Another fun choice is to slow-smoke a pork shoulder or other piece of meat. It takes a long time, but that true smoky barbeque flavor simply can't be beat!
A homemade coleslaw or pasta salad is always a classic choice for a side dish, but you can also consider taking it up a notch with some homemade baked beans. Made in the slow cooker, they are an easy choice to prepare ahead of time.
Fun And Games
Set up some fun games for people of all ages to add to the fun. Classics like a three-legged race, a water balloon toss, or a cake walk are always popular choices. You can also consider getting a piñata filled with small toys and candies for the young children.
A treasure hunt around the neighborhood is another great way for everyone to have a good time, and works especially well if your neighbors are joining your barbeque. Create a list of things to find and send out teams on the hunt! When everyone comes back, have prizes for the teams who have been successful!
Memorial Day is a great way to start off the barbeque season and have friends and family over for a great time. Take advantage of your long weekend and plan a great barbeque everyone will be talking about.
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