Picnic tips and checklist

How to organise your picnic

Organising a Big Picnic is straightforward. Simply:

1. Invite your friends via word of mouth or email.
2. Decide where you want to hold it (have a plan B in case it rains).
3. If you are opening your Big Picnic to the public, advertise it it to the public with our Big Picnic posters.
4. Buy some food and drink and dig out some games.
5. Ask your friends for a donation on the day.

---

Picnic essentials checklist

Here are just a few of the essential things you will need to make your picnic a success:

• food and drink
• hampers or cool boxes
• plates and glasses
• napkins
• wet-wipes for sticky mouths and fingers
• bottle opener
• sun-screen and sun hats
• toys (eg skittles, bat and ball sets, hula hoops, etc)
• mats and cushions (less awkward to carry than collapsible chairs)
• camera
• waterproofs (in case the weather decides not to co-operate)
• bin bags for your rubbish
• music
• mobile phone (make sure you have all your guests' numbers so that you can find each other).

---

Hints and tips to raise those extra pennies (and pounds!)

 

Little book of treats

Our Little book of treats recipe book is on sale in Somerfield stores or in our online shop for £3. It's full of tasty recipes provided by supporters and celebrities alike to help you create scrumptious food for your picnic.

 

What donation should I ask for?

Work out the cost per head so you know what you need to charge to make a donation to Macmillan and cover your costs if you wish to.

 

Create your own picnic poster

You can personalise, create and order your own posters and invitations for the Big Picnic at www.be.macmillan.org.uk. There are several templates to choose from - simply add your details and print the poster!

1. Register for free at be.Macmillan.org.uk.
2. Go to the Big Picnic section.
3. Choose and customise your poster or invitations with all your picnic details.
4. Your poster is created and sent to you via email - then you can print it off and put it up!

 

Picnic eCard invites

Invite friends and family to your picnic using our free customisable eCard invites. Remember to include all your picnic details in the message.

---

Health and safety

Please make sure that everyone at your event is safe and acting within the law. Use common sense when it comes to health and safety and follow the professional advice of equipment manufacturers and the staff supervising any facilities you use.

If you have any doubts about health and safety then contact Macmillan. Food hygiene is vitally important so please take great care and work to basic rules for safe preparation, storage, display and cooking of food. Macmillan cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or damage from your picnic. Macmillan's insurance does not cover property nor does it cover your personal liability for any injury suffered by yourself or anyone else as a result of taking part in the Big Picnic. More information on safety and legal questions.

Email bigpicnic
@macmillan.org.uk

Call 020 7840 7893

Write to The Big Picnic Macmillan Cancer Support
89 Albert Embankment
SE1 7UQ