How To Plan a Birthday Picnic

I love picnics. Gorgeous views, food, bubbly, and great company – it simply doesn’t get any better! This is why I love picnics as a birthday party alternative. Not only are they a super thoughtful surprise for a special friend or family member, but they also work for any budget, and can be pulled together in a pinch!

Below, we’ve rounded up our top tips for planning a birthday picnic, including advice on choosing the perfect picnic spot, food & drink ideas, and timings of your celebration. 

Choose the Perfect Location

It isn’t as simple as rocking up to your nearest field with a sandwich and calling it a day. If you’re planning a birthday picnic, it’s vital to choose the most perfect location. This will set the tone for the event, and ideally provide a gorgeous backdrop for enjoying your picnic (not to mention, it will look fab on Instagram!).

Ideally, you want to choose somewhere flat, dry, and open. You’ll also need to make sure that you are allowed to picnic there – the last thing you want is a farmer telling you to shoo just as you’re about to tuck into your finger sandwiches!

If you’re local to the Sheffield & Peak District area, here are a few of my favourite picnic spots:

• Monsal Head – walk down to the river in the dale for picnic fields galore!
• Chatsworth Estate, specifically by the river
• Lathkill Dale in Monyash 
• Nine Ladies Stone Circle on Stanton Moor 
• Dovedale Limestone Valley
• Stanage Edge 
• Curbar Edge 

What To Bring To a Birthday Picnic

Picnic setups for a birthday are a level up from your usual Saturday picnic. You want it to feel like a special, luxurious event, so there are a few bits of equipment you need to bring with you.

Equipment

A birthday picnic is extra special, so it’s important to bring all of the right equipment to make it feel so. This includes:

Setup:

• Picnic blanket (obviously!)
• Cushions and throws for extra comfort
• A low table or wooden pallet (covered with a tablecloth)
• Gazebo or shelter – just in case the weather turns
  

Dining Essentials:

• Plates – use fine china if you want to add a touch of elegance
  Cutlery – knives, forks, and spoons
• Glasses – don’t forget flutes for the fizz
• Placemats and coasters for a polished setup
• Bottle opener
• Cake slice or serving knife
  

Food & Drink Storage:

• Ice packs
• A cool bag or cooler box to keep food and drinks chilled

Decorations:

• Bud vases with fresh flowers
• Balloons or bunting
• Taper candles or tealights for a magical touch

And of course, a picnic basket to carry everything in!

If you can, pack your picnic basket & equipment the night before. This saves you from rushing around the morning of the recipient’s birthday. It also minimises the chances of you forgetting anything!

 

Timings Of Your Birthday Picnic

The actual time of day you choose to have your picnic is completely up to you. If you want maximum sunshine and warmth (if you’re in the UK!), midday to early afternoon is great. Or, if you’re aiming for more of a romantic vibe, have your picnic start an hour or two before sunset. 

Ideally, you want to arrive at least 1 hour earlier than your birthday boy/girl to start setting up the picnic. Don’t rush it – setting up and decorating your picnic can actually be really fun when you give yourself plenty of time. 

If you’re using a gazebo, start by putting this up first. Then, lay out your picnic blanket, add your low table (if using) as well as the cushions and throws. Now’s the time to tablescape! Set your table with a tablecloth (or table runner), coasters, placemats, crockery, and glasses. 

Decorate down the center of your table with candlesticks, bud vases, and any other decorations you might have. If your table space allows, you could also display some of the food, as well as add a champagne bucket with your drink of choice.

What To Serve at a Birthday Picnic

Food and drink are the most essential elements of a picnic spread, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to plan, shop, and make the menu. Here are a few of our go-to ideas that offer elegance, whilst still being easy to prepare & transport!

Food

The type of food you serve will depend on the time of day, your theme, and how formal (or casual) you’d like your picnic to be. You’ll want to keep things easy to transport, finger-food friendly, and most importantly, absolutely delicious.

Morning / Brunch Picnic Ideas

Perfect for breakfast girlies, or if you have other plans later in the day:

Savoury:

• Smoked salmon bagels with cream cheese, cucumber, and dill
• Mini quiches or frittata slices
• Boiled eggs 
• Cheese scones or savoury muffins
• Bacon sandwiches

Sweet:

• Pastries – croissants, pain au chocolat, cinnamon rolls
• Granola pots with yoghurt and berries
• Pancakes or waffles with syrup and fresh fruit
• Banana bread or blueberry muffins
• Fruit & mint skewers
• Jams & honey

Drinks:

• Tea and coffee in a thermos to keep warm
• Fresh juice (orange, apple, or grapefruit)
• Mimosas (sparkling wine + fresh orange juice)

Lunch Picnic Ideas

For a classic posh picnic, bring:

Savoury Bites & Sharing Options:

• Canapés (e.g., prawn cocktail cups, waffle bites, or manchego & quince bites)
• Finger sandwiches (e.g., cucumber, ham & mustard, egg mayo, smoked salmon)
• Fresh salads – check out our blog for tips on how to make a tasty salad!
• Cheese & charcuterie grazing board with crackers & chutney
• Sausage rolls or veggie pastry bites (check out our blog for 20+ homemade sausage roll ideas)
• Savoury tartlets or flatbreads

Sweet Treats:

• Birthday cake (don’t forget to bring a cake slice and candles if needed!)
• Cupcakes or cake jars (ideal for transport if bringing a bigger cake is difficult)
• Scones with clotted cream & jam
• Brownie bites, lemon drizzle squares, or flapjacks
• Chocolate-covered strawberries 
• Chocolate moose or lemon possets

Drinks:

• Fizz – prosecco, sparkling wine, or champagne
• Iced tea or fruit-infused water
• Still or sparkling water (bring lots if it’s a hot day)
• Pre-mixed cocktails or mocktails in bottles
• Kombucha or elderflower cordial for a light, fancy feel

If budget allows, you could even opt for outside catering for your birthday party picnic. Ask your caterer if they’re able to provide all the food on platters in secure delivery boxes, so that you can easily take the food with you. Or, even better, ask them to deliver it to you wherever your picnic set up is! In the Derbyshire/Sheffield area? Get in touch with our team to place your order.

Drinks

• Fizz – either prosecco, sparkling wine, or champagne for that extra special feel
• Juices – like apple or orange, which can be added to your fizz to make a tasty mimosa
• Water – load it with ice before you leave the house, so it keeps cool
• Tea & coffee – kept hot in a flask, if you’re picnicking in the morning

 

Need Help Planning the Perfect Picnic Spread?

If you’re planning to host a birthday picnic, but want to keep things hassle-free, why not choose Savery Grazing for your food? We specialise in creating beautiful, bespoke grazing boxes and picnic platters – perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or simply just because!

To order yours, get in touch with our team via email using hello@saverygrazing.com.

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