Picnic fun - for everyone!

Gather your nearest and dearest to kick off the sunny season in style! All it takes to set a cheery mood is simple accents and crowd-pleasing snacks and sips

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Wow with a bright buffet

Party pro-Emily Riddle of Gathered Living (GatheredKY.com) welcomed guests at her summer cookout with a pretty picnic-inspired refreshment station. To get the look, cover a picnic table with a blue gingham cloth, then place trays, drink buckets, baskets and other serving helpers on top. Add pitchers, carafes and dispensers of drinks (like fruit-infused water, lemonades and iced teas). Set up a “bar” with grab-and-go cups and straws for guests. Then display a fresh bouquet.

Keep bugs at bay with ‘lanterns’ 

These lanterns lend a lovely glow and help keep bugs away from your table! To do: First, fill the bottom of a juice glass with mint leaves and place a candle on top. (The heat from the flame will release the oils of the mint, a natural deterrent for insects.) Then tie a length of red gingham ribbon around the glass. Tip: If you add cherries to the glass rim, opt for a battery-run votive.

Dress up settings with picnic flair 

Touches of gingham gave Riddle’s picnic party a pulled-together look. Even better? You don’t have to match the colors or scale for it all to work in perfect harmony. Start with a woven picnic basket–inspired charger (like 13" Natural Rattan Chargers, $7 for 6, eFavorMart.com). Then top a red-and-white dinner plate with a red gingham napkin cinched with raffia. Tuck in utensil and top with a flower.