PICNICS - Worldwide and Creative -: History, Tips, Ideas and Recipes

By Roland W. Schulze

Who actually invented picnics: the English or the French? Neither of them, because the "ancient" Greeks already knew about picnics. The first descriptions of picnics were in the "Homer's Odyssey", about 800 years before Christ. Later, the Romans also adopted this leisure culture. The second great picnic boom actually took place about 200 years ago, during the reign of Queen Victoria of England, and also at almost the same time in France.

The content: What is special about picnics, as compared to many other leisure activities, such as barbecues, travel breaks or a short camping trip? How does picnicking function? What kind of equipment and information is needed? Why is it so much fun to share games and delicious food in a group outdoors, and how can how can this be improved for a more enjoyable experience?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Release date: Sep 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9783754368220

Roland W. Schulze

Roland W. Schulze, ist primär klassischer Kommunikationswissenschaftler, Kultursoziologe und Buch-Autor. In seiner Brust schlagen aber 2 Herzen: Auf der einen Seite war er Hochschullehrer und beherrschte als IT-Pionier fachlich die digitale Welt mit Fachverstand und großem Spaß. Auf der anderen Seite reizt ihn inzwischen wieder die bekannte analoge Welt und er genießt die Old- und Youngtimer-Fahrzeug-Welt, kocht asiatisch und orientalisch, liebt gutes Essen, leckere Mix-Getränke, veranstaltet interessante Tastings und Genuss-Essen mit interessierten Gästen und macht ein zünftiges Picknick mit lecker gefülltem Weidenkorb und seinem Auto-Youngtimer. Als Buchautor hat er einige Sachbücher geschrieben, zum ersten deutschen Fernsehkoch und Erfinder des Toast Hawaii, zu Würzen, essen und Genuss, zu Festen und Traditionen in seiner Heimatstadt Bremen und zur wieder-erwachenden Freizeit-Kultur PICKNICK.

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2. Definition: What is actually a picnic?

2.1 Differentiation between meal breaks, barbecues and camping

According to Wikipedia.com:

"A picnic is a communal meal eaten outdoors, from 2 to X persons. A picnic is almost always combined with an outing, a hike or a drive. At home in the garden would not be the place for a traditional picnic. Utensils frequently used in this context are the picnic baskets, the picnic blankets and the picnic ableware, although behind these terms there is not a defined necessity."

The classic willow picnic basket

An actual picnic backpack

A break is a really short interruption only for the purpose of taking a rest and having a snack or prepared meal during an outdoor hike, a bicycle or horse ride or an excursion by car.

Camping is always connected with overnight stay away from home, living outside in a tent, caravan or camper, mostly in the middle of beautiful nature of the country side, at a lake or the seaside. These camping sites are mostly authorised because of the public facilities available.

At barbecues, the focus is always on the food. After the meal on the balcony, terrace or garden is over, people leave to go home again.

At a picnic, the food always consists of cold dishes and can be interrupted and resumed as often as desired.

Accessories: the Rolls-Royce picnic case. 15.000 US$

I will not go into detail as to the fact that picnics are often mistaken with barbeques. For example, picnic grills are already being offered on the market. These are small, easily transportable ball-type grills. It is free to barbeque at a picnic, should one wish do so. The main focus, however, should be that the participants communicate with each other. One actually does not require specific picnic equipment for picnics. I would like to refer you to chapter 14.1 further below, where you can choose suitable accessories from your household for your next picnic. Naturally, there are special picnic accessories, which may enhance the picnic and is quite an authentic pleasure.

There is a wide spectrum of special accessories which range from inexpensive baskets and suitcases containing plastic crockery and cutlery, to exquisite and elaborately manufactured wicker baskets or picnic suitcases made of precious wood, with genuine porcelain, crystal glasses, silver cutlery and food containers.

Nowadays, the picnic accessories also include a cooling facility, for example a cooler bag with frozen cooler batteries as well as an outdoor game.Thus, the price range for a basic picnic with a basket, crockery, cutlery, cooler bag, an outdoor game and blanket is approximately 40€ where as an exquisite picnic suitcase, for example as additional an additional luxury for the latest Rolls-Royce costs more than 15.000,00 Euro (as illustrated above).

Food originally had a different significance at picnics than at barbecues. Each participant attending the picnic brought a prepared cold meal and drinks. These meals were then shared by all participants.

The mere exchange of food and drink is the legal petty larceny and often becomes the main topic of the conversation, like What have to brought with you? What recipe did you use? and thus a key for communication between the participants. Consequently, picnics are a meeting place where everyone likes to play outdoor games, such as boccia, ball games, badminton or Viking chess, etc.

Classic Victorian picnic from the early 19th century

These picnic games are often kept very simple and can, therefore, be played by almost anyone. Younger or older persons, amateurs or professionals. The rules of the games are kept informal and easy, making the event full of fun and not at all boring.

I, as a Sociologist, have come to the following extended definition:

"Picnic is therefore a leisure activity that begins with the short excursion to a destination. Picnics are actually always related to activity and mobility. "

It is a compound event, the main aspect being to relax with pleasant company, at an outdoor location of your choice with a good atmosphere, enjoy delicious food that you all can share amongst yourselves and play interesting and entertaining games. Picnics support and encourage communication. Picnics have an advantage that the intensive communication involved only becomes apparent when the picnic is over....

Friends and acquaintances are invited and join you and your family on a hike or an excursion, usually to a defined destination.

Picnics can last for several hours. The meals are set out and it is possible to enjoy other activities during the picnic as well as take some breaks in between to have some food and drinks. A relaxed uncomplicated programme is often the case.

Actually, the whole procedure is still based on the principles of Queen Victoria, the early 19th century Queen of England. Guests are invited to a picnic at a chosen rather pleasant outdoor place, where food and drink is shared and it becomes an enjoyable time one spends together, not forgetting the possibility to exchange conversations which was at that time was necessary, without today´s media.

2.2 What types of picnics are there?

2.2.1 The culinary picnic

If there is anyone who thinks of hard-boiled eggs, meatballs and lukewarm beer from cans when thinking of a picnic, must have somehow not moved on since some point in the 70´s.

A picnic only with delicacies

Although, even a little pepped-up a 70´s-revival picnic can have its charm. Just consider the lovely, elaborately decorated picnic baskets and the huge selection of delicious culinary picnic recipes available all of which we have to thank for the recent boom in finger food scene. Even if the preparation may be a rather time-consuming, the picnic should be made convenient and easy to enjoy on site without the necessity of any extra utensils.

One last look at the weather forecast…packed with your delicious picnic basket you are ready to go out to relax and enjoy yourself under the clear blue skies. So, if really delicious but not exactly everyday food is served, then this is a mainly a culinary picnic and that will surely be a great and tasty experience.

2.2.2 The romantic picnic for two

For lovers: a moonlight picnic

Obviously, a romantic picnic has to take place somewhere at a quiet secluded area with a breathtaking view.

Alternatively, one could choose a location for example, with beautiful natural surroundings such as a botanical garden, at picturesque lake, at the North or Baltic Sea. An extravagant idea would be a romantic picnic to sail on a yacht, a ship, or an excursion in a vintage car.

The choice of a stylish picnic wicker basket must consist of some prepared known favourites.

One could also choose a few undiscovered specialities that are as yet to be tasted. The highlight of getting to know each other and being somewhat inquisitive is also the recipe of romance. Not forgetting the saying: the way to a man´s heart is through his stomach.

It is necessary to have the perfect equipment to make your romantic picnic a success.

A cosy blanket, fluffy pillows, good music. Later in the evening it will be necessary to have some lanterns, torches or sheltered candle holders.

Should the picnic become a midnight picnic, you will require to keep warm while watching out for the shooting stars.

A bottle of wine, or a sparkling champagne or even a hot punch adds to the perfect midnight picnic …is something missing? Perhaps Mon Cherie or truffle chocolates would be a good decision too. Well doesn’t that sound good?

2.2.3 The artist´s picnic

The annual classical musical concert of the Bremer Kammer-Philharmonie held at Knoops Park in Bremen is actually a picnic location where artists meet and picnic, therefore defined as the artist´s picnic.

Artist picnic in

This location is ideal for musicians who have the opportunity to picnic in the park whilst listening to the live concerts on stage.

Visual artists have often organised a meeting, for example in the city of Darmstadt in Germany, where they invite various artists to present their works of art, with a picnic-chat-flair.

2.2.4 The spontaneous picnic

Just another spontaneous picnic

On the spur of the moment and out of the blue you suddenly have the crazy spontaneous idea to have to picnic.

Like for instance ... you are starving after a day out, coincidently drive past a side road close to the airport runway, why not?

A perfect location for spontaneous picnic to satisfy your hunger.

My friend Dagmar told us: "After quick picnic shopping at Lidl in Paderborn, we took our blanket which we always have in the car, walked along a footpath through the fields leading to a meadow, with a breath-taking countryside view, an unforgettable spontaneous picnic. "

Author: Thank you Dagmar for your inspiring story about your spontaneous picnic….

2.2.5 The motto picnic

You can arrange a picnic by placing it under a specific motto or theme.

The wide spectrum of ideas ranges from the choice of country-specific food arrangements. Participants may also be requested to dress-up in costumes.

The medieval epoch is very popular, making a motto picnic a show-down for all.

Motto picnics are actually successful in a group although a couple could also arrange this event to surprise each other.

Here are just a few examples to inspire you. Please feel free to develop your own ideas.

Bavarian picnic

Choice of food and drinks: Bretzel, radish, obatzda (Bavarian cheese), , salad and Bavarian beer,

Dress code: Bavarian dirndl and leather trousers,

Music: Hubert von Goisern und die Almkatzen

Picnic for your dog´s birthday

Choice of food and drinks: red wine, various types of cheese and bread rolls or baguette

For the dog: doggie specialities, favourite toy, water bowl.

The "economic miracle" picnic 1955-1970

Food: Russian Eggs, Toast Hawaii, Käse-Igel (cheese hedgehog), Tomaten-Fliegenpilze (tomato toadstools), MaiTai, Kalter-Hund (cold dog), Kullerpfirsich (googly peach) and of course AhoiBrause or with other dishes and drinks from this time.

2.2.6 The anti-cyclical picnic

The visitor basket - here modified as an advent basket

It is a cliche that picnics are only held in the summer and outdoors. This is far from being the case. Picnics are individual and authentic when you picnic when everyone else is NOT doing so.

The wow effect is more than a great surprise when you show up at a friend´s house with an original picnic basket, fully equipped with crockery, cutlery and glasses, as well as delicious picnic food and drinks.

Anti-cyclical means that you do not meet the expectations of others and simply do something different than everyone expects.

For instance, this would mean perhaps you spontaneously decide to visit your grandmother, who is either living alone, or in an old-age home or having treatment in a hospital at that time. A perfect time to prepare her a picnic basket full of her favourite food or something for an afternoon tea. Its easily prepared and mostly not a problem to get some tea coffee or hot chocolate there. Uncomplicated and easy to make it an enjoyable memorable day!

There are more ideas for a counter-cyclical picnic described in the following chapters. This is the so-called Visitors' Basket.

During the Christmas season, it will be an Xmas Basket containing all the seasonal delicacies.

Example: Contents for a Visitors' Basket

0,5l Jamaica rum to make a grog a tea with rum,

50g black tea leaves and 50g green tea leaves,

4 small filter bags with ground coffee powder, that makes one cup of brewed coffee each,

1 litre organic full cream milk with a portion for original cocoa powder, to make a hot chocolate drink for two.

Not an easy decision as to which of these 4 drinks would be a good idea.

Your basket could be filled with:

home-made Baker’s biscuits

At Christmas a typical Dresdner-Christ-Stollen Bremer-Viktoria when Bremen celebrates the Freimarkt, or raisin bread or puff pastries or Bremer Kaffee-Brot (a special sweet from Bremen).

There are simply no limits to your imagination and in addition to the abovementioned ideas you can of course also bring along a surprise basket, perhaps with only delicacies from your last holiday, or homemade food and drinks.

Just play with the idea of surprising someone, with an unplanned visit …. a picnic to enjoy with little or no work for everyone.

3. A brief historical summary

3.1 Picnic with the Greeks

In the ancient times, it was common to picnic outdoors.

The ancient Greeks used the term Eranos for the picnics of today´s age. Eranos (Greek ἔρανος) meant, among other things, an association which makes contributions for a specific purpose, like a common feast.

An old Greek marker stone for Eranos

The Greek poet Homer already used the word Eranos in the Odyssey to describe (about 800 years before Christ) a simple, common meal with regular participants who also contributed food for the meal.

Eranos in