The picnic become popular during the reign of Queen Victoria, and the Victorians made picnicking an elegant and fashionable affair. These days, picnics are still a delightful way of taking ones lunch. Why not borrow from the Victorian era and make yours a little fancy?
The etiquette mad Victorians had many rules for choosing the right picnic spot, some of which were a bit ridiculous (picnicking near the edges of cliffs were out, as they could frighten female guests), while others made sense. One should choose the venue before sending out the invitations and should choose a spot that receives enough, but not too much, sunshine and adequate breezes. When arranging the picnic, the host should be sure to avoid ant nests.
Take a good look around your local area for the perfect picnic spot – the isolated, tucked away spots are always nicer than the popular, crowded ones. Otherwise,
Roma Street Parklands,
South Bank,
City Botanic Gardens and
New Farm Park are all breathtaking venues.
Victorian etiquette allowed for both potluck and host catered affairs, and the food was to be just as sumptuous as that served in the dining room. A typical menu would include iced champagne, chicken (a delicacy back then) and trifle. Today, a more appropriate menu might call for fresh sushi, seafood, ribbon sandwiches and petit fours. For an old fashioned touch, serve with Pimms or
lavender lemonade.
Finally, a Victorian didn't dream of holding a picnic without providing entertainment. Croquet, boules and Blindman's bluff were all popular picnic games. You can find inexpensive croquet and boules sets at most department stores. Word games were also popular.
Follow these tips for a decadent old fashioned picnic that will transport you to another time - white gloves optional.
