If I had to choose the number one most essential outdoor picnic supplies item, it would have to be the waterproof picnic blanket since it forms the foundation of the outdoor picnic setting, right up there with the traditional picnic basket that is often used to carry all the food and plates and utensils and cups and napkins and such. In many cases, when you think about having a picnic, probably the most popular setting that comes to mind is you and your family and friends all gathered together sitting on the ground (as opposed to at a table like a picnic table). While it's sometimes pleasant to let loose from the confines of home or work or the office and let yourself go free in the great outdoors and sit on the ground, especially if it's dry, when you're thinking about a summer picnic on the ground with all the supplies and food and other folks who may not like to sit directly on the ground, then a waterproof picnic blanket is just the thing to provide that insulation and physical barrier, and moisture barrier, between your bottoms and the grass or soil beneath them. Indeed, a nice soft polar fleece picnic blanket not only sounds nice and cozy but actually is really comfortable, but if it gets damp or wet from being on the ground then all bets are off in terms of its usability as a picnic blanket you can use just about anywhere, whether on the grass or packed dirt or sand like at the lake or beach. That said, you will find some of these blankets have a waterproof backing of something like nylon or vinyl that goes in contact with the ground to provide the protection from moisture while the top part that you sit on is the nice soft fabric part making your sitting or laying very comfortable. A gorgeously soft fleece or cotton picnic blanket feels and looks great and is very inviting to get the picnic going by putting everything including the picnic basket and picnic cooler right on it.
Another nice feature of the waterproof picnic blanket is that you can use it year round in any season. It literally becomes a waterproof picnic rug that you can set up just about anywhere. What's more, such a waterproof outdoor blanket or turnout blanket will come in handy even if you are not using it for picnics. As for when you are doing all your picnic activities, while I tend to have all my picnics during the warm spring and summer months, many people like to picnic in the cooler and cold months too for an added adventure. I admit to every now and then packing up a nice picnic lunch or dinner on colder days in the fall or winter, and even then, the waterproof picnic blanket does its job admirably. When the weather is dry, regardless of the temperature, then you are set with almost any type of picnic blanket, waterproof or not. But when it's damp or downright wet out, the waterproof picknic blankets are an absolute must have. Therefore, if you have to decide which type to buy and use, go with the waterproof picnic blanket since it can be used more universally.
There are quite a few different kinds, styles, colors, sizes and prices for waterproof picnic blankets so that finding the right blanket to fit your personality, style, and budget will not be a problem. In fact, do as I do and have a couple of these on hand taking a different one with you each time you go on a joyful picnic outing. You do not have to overpay; you can find a nice cheap waterproof picnic blanket that will do wonders for you. You can have different designs or colors to set the mood accordingly, just like you would set the mood of your dining room at home with, for example, a different table cloth and different place settings, plates, and napkins. It depends, for example, on whether you are having a romantic picnic getaway for the afternoon or something more adventuresome food-wise and your are packing for a gourmet picnic outing. You can get red, blue, green and other colors. Also you might find attractive plaid waterproof picnic blankets. There is a large variety to choose from for sure. Maybe you want a smaller one to use if it will be just you and your significant other, lover, or spouse. Then again, when you go out on picnic with the whole family, you need to have a larger one or take more than one so that there is a waterproof picnic blanket for every two or three people to share. Having that luxury of extra blanket space can for sure make or break the enjoyment of the picnic experience for everyone in attendance, trust me! There's nothing worse after all the planning and packing and traveling to the picnic site and so on than to get there and have squabbles amongst family members as to who gets to sit where on the blanket (for example, in the middle or on the edge) or fighting because there simply is not enough room. Have additional discount waterproof picnic blankets and those issue will never crop up. You might even find some at wholesale prices that you can snap up and save a bundle.
Having more than one waterproof blanket for your picnics also affords you the flexibility of choice depending on the size of your picnic party. If you just have a very large picnic blanket, then it might well be too much if it's just you and your spouse. Remember, you have to fold, pack, and carry the blanket with all your other outdoor picnic supplies to the picnic site and it may be too much bulk to have a large one for just the two of you, not too mention if you are combining a hike with the picnic, that is a lot of extra and unnecessary bulk to carry around. In this case, a much smaller waterproof picnic basket fits the bill nicely. Some even have a carry handle and fold up in such a way that when done properly, you have a nice little tote with the carry handle sticking out. The other thing to bear in mind is that waterproof picnic blankets come in different weights too to go along with the different sizes. A heavier one will probably prove to be more durable but be sure you do not rule out the lighter weight blankets especially if you will be loading and carrying a backpack for many of your picnic supplies. The lightweight waterproof picnic blankets are quite durable and come in a variety of attractive designs and styles too. And speaking of backpacks, you can get picnic blankets that are designed to be folded and carried as totes or backpacks themselves, a sort of two-in-one arrangement which is very cool and quite convenient. When hiking with your picnic accessories and supplies, you want everything to be as lightweight as possible. With a backpack type of blanket, you get to carry your picnic blanket doing double duty as a sort of picnic bag to carry many of your other picnic equipment, then you are doing well in streamlining your picnic operation to be sure.
So do your picnic right and make sure it can be the fun experience it ought to be. A great picnic needs a great foundation and you can have that great foundation when you have the right waterproof picnic blanket to set and define your picnic area.
