Summer is truly upon us, with July celebrating National Picnic Month, giving us yet another reason to get outside.
Being outside is one of the quickest ways to give our mood a boost. Spending time outside or bringing nature into your everyday life benefits our mental and physical wellbeing. In fact, according to a 2019 report, spending at least 120 minutes in nature per week can significantly boost health and well-being. Benefits you can expect include better breathing, improved sleep, reduced depression symptoms, more motivation to exercise, mental restoration, boosted immune function, protection from shortsightedness, and improved emotional wellbeing. Personally, at Madder Cutch & Co., we can’t think of a better reason to be outside than spending time enjoying good food with good friends.
Outdoor dining, in one form or another, has been around for ages. The earliest known record of picnics by people is the outdoor meals served to medieval royal hunters. The 19th century cemented the picnic as a light meal in cultures everywhere. We can attribute the modern version of picnics to the French. The revolutionaries opened up royal parks to the public after the French Revolution, and picnicking became a popular activity for the newly freed citizens. Even the word ‘picnic’ is likely of French origin, coming from the French verb ‘piquer,’ which means to ‘pick’ or ‘peck’, and ‘nique,’ meaning ‘thing of little importance.’
The charm of eating meals outdoors grew by leaps and bounds in proportion to the growth of busier lifestyles. People needed a dedicated reason to relax, so much so that a Picnic Society was even formed in London. Members met at the Pantheon, a popular public entertainment space in Oxford Street, and they would share entertainment and refreshments.
How to make the most of your space:
1) Take the time to create a setting that draws you outside—think fairy lights, place settings—the sky is the limit.
2) Use the furnishings and tableware you have when creating your outdoor dining space—why not take your linen napkins outside? A scattering of cushions creates a far more welcoming environment than a chair or the ground! Subscribe to our newsletter this month to recieve a bonus 25% off our cushions AND free postage and packaging!
3) If you’re planning to be outside in the evening, why not invest in a citronella candle to ensure your meal remains bug-free?
4) Choose food that can either be prepared in advance or requires minimal prep. The goal is to spend time outside with your loved ones rather than slave away in the kitchen! Again, our newsletter this month is packed full of recipes for tasty treats that are both seasonal and quick to prepare!
So, what are you waiting for? Invite some friends over and host a picnic or meal in your outdoor space! It is July afterall…