Guest Picks: Life’s a Picnic

Although long stretches of warm weather haven’t yet returned to Chicago, that hasn’t stopped us from daydreaming of lazy Sundays on the front porch, friendly gatherings and bicycling to the beach. The anticipation of full-on spring followed by summer also has us craving a good picnic. And whether that means packing up a basket to take to the park or hosting a gathering outdoors on the patio, we love brainstorming ways to take an ordinary barbecue and kick it up a notch or two (or three). — Kim and Scott from Yellow Brick Home

Kikkerland Biodegradable Paper Straws, Birch, Set of 144 - $7 Simply put, paper straws are pretty. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re an inexpensive way to add flair to your picnic party. We’re getting a kick out of this faux-birch design.


Zak Designs Flower Dessert Plates, White, Set of 4 - $17.99 Better than your average plates, these plastic dishes will add a touch of whimsy to your picnic decor.


Stratford Cake Stand The best part of any al fresco meal is the dessert, right? Show off your baking prowess with a stand that will showcase your hard work in the kitchen. (Better yet, display those store-bought cupcakes with gusto!)


Cardboard Cake Stand, Floral - $5.95 Who says you have to sacrifice style for your picnic? This recyclable cardboard cake stand would look awfully cute on your blanket.


Indoor-Outdoor Water Glasses, Yellow, Set of 6 - $56 Fool your picnic guests with these tumblers made of durable polycarbonate. They're sure to be stunning in the afternoon light.


Seat Cushion, Gray - $12.95 An outdoor seat cushion is an obvious choice to add comfort to existing outdoor furniture, but it’d also make a cozy seat for a grassy picnic.


Picnic Table Stake - $49 It’s always helpful to have a lot of places for guests to rest their glasses on outdoors — especially as they attempt to play horseshoes. A few of these mini tables with stakes around the yard will elevate your outdoor gathering to another level.


Glass Beverage Dispenser - $49.95 We've always loved the look of a glass beverage cooler for barbecue parties. Just imagine this one filled with fresh lemonade, sangria or cucumber-garnished water.


Lunea Melamine Blue Dinnerware - $2.95 Spice up your tabletop with mix-and-match melamine plates. Not to mention, they'll leave much less waste than paper plates.


Handmade Picnic Blanket by C'mon Thread Designs - $70 A stylish waterproof picnic blanket will make outdoor fetes all the better. And we love supporting independent artists too!


Animal Geo Melamine Plate - $4.50 For the young at heart, how about these melamine animal plates? Well, really, who needs an excuse to use these adorable guys? They're for any age, we think.


Linen Napkins, Gray by Pillow Link, Set of 16 - $80 Pair your brightly colored outdoor dinnerware with these more neutral, yet still beautiful, cloth napkins.


No. 125 Citronella Natural Soy Candle by Coco & Bubbles - $18.50 We’ve always been suckers for beautiful packaging, and you’d never guess that these are citronella candles. Keep the bugs at bay and keep your picnic pals happy.


Flameless LED Candles - $4.99 These LED candles would be great for throwing in your basket and creating worry-free ambience in the park. Another reason we're digging these? A built-in five-hour timer means you can "light" the candle and forget about it, allowing you to enjoy a patio full of friends, children and pets.


Picnic Basket - $125 This handmade basket mixes vintage charm with modern convenience. The idea of a romantic picnic dinner for two is enough to melt our hearts — but throw a basket in the mix? Swoon.


Standard Baggu, Mint Stripe - $9 We’ve used our Baggu bags consistently for years. Pack one in your picnic basket and you can cleanly carry home your dirty (and reusable) plates, napkins and the like. Once home, throw your carry-all bag in the laundry and pat yourself on the back for being so environmentally friendly.


Portofino Umbrella, Black - $249 This graphic outdoor umbrella is fun, fresh and most definitely funky.


Elizabeth Green Indoor-Outdoor Rug - $130 This soft lemon-hued outdoor rug will instantly liven up an otherwise drab patio and lay the foundation for your entire outdoor dining experience.


Roxö Bistro Set - $69 Barely any space is required for this tiny bistro set, which is just right for two. Use a candle for your centerpiece and make things fun with brightly colored plates and tumblers.


Oval Hammered Beverage Tub - $99 Step up your cooler game with this hammered-metal tub. Fill it with ice and stash your beverages in a most understated and elegant way.

Next: How to Get a Pizza Oven for the Patio

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