What to Bring to a Company Picnic
A company picnic is something everyone looks forward to. It’s time for employees to relax, have fun, and celebrate successes. Whether you are a small business planning the picnic or an employee attending the event, there are things you may need to bring to make the day perfect.
Set up Items for the Picnic
Depending on the size of a business, the company may decide to hire someone to set up the picnic, or the company may set it up. If there are not enough picnic tables at the venue, a company may need to provide chairs, tables, and shade tents—or turn to a rental service to deliver them. Items needed for a successful picnic include paperware such as paper plates, napkins, disposable silverware, cups, and cake or dessert plates. Table coverings and centerpieces are also important. Having large beverage dispensers can make serving drinks to everyone more cost-efficient. Hand sanitizer or alcohol-based hand wipes are a great option to keep germs at bay, especially if running water isn’t available at the venue. Games or materials to host contests are another checklist item.
Fun Outdoor Decor
A little decorating goes a long way in making the picnic atmosphere more festive. Decor items like balloons, hanging signs, outdoor mini lights, or fresh flowers on the tables can all help the picnic area be more inviting and fun for the event.
Giveaway Items
Some companies also take the company picnic as a time to give away fun items like logo tees or sling bags, or use items like these as contest prizes. Alternatively, companies may provide custom corporate gifts or gift bags for employees or families that could include items like reusable custom water bottles, travel mugs, notebooks, and custom printed pens, or even fun items like logo beach towels.
Food Items for the Picnic
Larger businesses may choose local restaurants or food services to cater the picnic—either with hot food areas, buffet lines, boxed lunches, or family-style dinners. In this case, employees may not need to bring anything for the meal itself, though some companies may request employees bring snacks or desserts to share if they wish. Informal picnics, potlucks, and barbecues often call for bringing a dish or dessert to share. If this is the case, there are lots of items to choose from. Classic choices include cold salads (such as pasta, macaroni, or coleslaw), meat- or vegetable-based casseroles, or hot dishes (keep them warm in a slow cooker or an insulated bag). Snacks like fresh fruit or veggie trays, chips and dips, and small hors d’oeuvre appetizers that travel well are other options. Desserts like cookies, cakes, brownies, tarts, bars, or pies are all sure to get a great reception. Drinks may be provided or companies may request that employees bring beverages for themselves and their families. Keep drinks or food items cold in personalized coolers, or use custom umbrellas to shade beverage areas.
Items for Fun and Safety
There are a few items to consider for picnic safety. Signs are an important addition to direct people where to go. Parking markers or signs are also vital for safe parking. If the areas prone to mosquitoes, citronella candles, and insect spray are good items to bring. Sunscreen is important, especially during the central daylight hours when the sun’s rays hit the hardest. It’s always a good idea to bring bottled water to a company picnic, just in case. Now for the fun items! If no formal games are planned, items like portable yard games, footballs, kick balls, and frisbees are easy sports activities to engage your employees in some good-natured fun.
Clothing Items Essential for Company Picnics
Whether you are dressing in shorts and a T-shirt, cropped pants and a company logo polo shirt, or a simple sundress, there are other clothing items to consider bringing to the picnic. Outerwear like packable rain jackets, branded hoodies or fleece zip-ups, shirt jackets, or other casual but light layers can help add some warmth if the weather is chillier than expected or the temperatures drop as the sun goes down. Sunglasses, sun hats, baseball caps, visors, or other summer hats can help ward off the sun and keep you cool and protected. If you plan on wearing shorts to the picnic, it can’t hurt to pack a pair of jeans or khaki pants in case you need to change for the temperature or weather.
Clean up Items
Depending on the venue and type of event, companies may be responsible for cleaning up the area. If waste bags are not provided, your company will need to provide those too. Disposable cleaning wipes are helpful to clean off rental tables and chairs. Handing out leftover food to employees? Plan to bring small paper containers to send the extra food with them, or encourage them to bring their own containers to be environmentally friendly!
Picnic Items From Big to Small
All the items for a company picnic matter. From the bigger items such as tables, chairs, and tents to smaller items like paperware and fun giveaways, promo gifts, or prizes, all the details count. Some advanced planning can go a long way in making sure the picnic goes smoothly and everyone has the items they need at the venue.