Barb Dearing offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print. Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum. ----------- PUBLICATION GUIDELINES - You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the Author" box is included in its entirety. - Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity. - Do not use this article in violation of the US CAN-SPAM Act. If sent by email, this article must be delivered to opt-in subscribers only. - If you publish this article in a format that supports linking, please ensure that all URLs and email addresses are active links. - Please send a copy of the publication, or an email indicating the URL to [email protected] - Article Marketer (www.ArticleMarketer.com) has distributed this article on behalf of the author. Article Marketer does not own this article, please respect the author's copyright and publication guidelines. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this article. ----------- Article Title: Planning An Affordable Summer Picnic Author: Barb Dearing Category: Family Word Count: 426 Keywords: picnic,family picnic,affordable family picnic Author's Email Address: [email protected] Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com ------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------
If you would like to host a summer picnic, but can't stretch your grocery bill to accommodate the crowd, keep the following ideas in mind. You may just find that creating a memorable summer event doesn't have to mean breaking the bank. 1. Borrow some shade. The ideal summer picnic requires plenty of shade trees, but if your backyard doesn't have the necessary shade, consider hosting the picnic at your local park where you may even be able to reserve a pavilion for free. But don't waste money renting cabanas or temporary shade structures. Your guests would probably prefer to be under the trees in the park than trapped at a table under a tent. 2. Ask for help. You can either make the entire event a pot-luck and ask each guest to bring a dish, or you could ask a good friend or family member to co-host the event and split the cost. At the very least, you should graciously accept your guests' offers to bring something to the picnic. It helps if you have your menu in mind before you start inviting folks. That way, you're prepared to suggest an item they can bring that will fit the menu. 3. Keep it seasonal. A summer picnic should feature summer foods that are plentiful and cheap in the summer months. You can shop big box stores for hamburger buns and paper plates, and visit your local farmer's market for the best deals on fresh fruits and veggies. 4. Make a list. You have probably heard it before, but shopping without a list is the absolute easiest way to overspend your grocery budget. Start planning your menu several weeks before the picnic. Then go online or search the newspaper circulars from you local grocery stores to find the best prices. It's OK to change your menu if you find some great deals at the last minute. When you have your list in hand, it's time to start shopping. 5. Make do. A summer picnic is supposed to be simple fun. It doesn't require the latest in sports equipment or new matching picnic plates. Just put up the old badminton net and round up all of your board games, a pack of playing cards, or a jigsaw puzzle. Your guests will be much more relaxed if you haven't overdone the entertainment. Most importantly, remember to relax and have fun. A summer picnic is all about good seasonal food, good friends and family. By focusing on the basics, you can focus on the fun without worrying about the bill coming in the mail. The author enjoys cooking and entertaining for friends. She recently caved in and bought a new grill at http://stainless-steel-gas-grills.org ------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
