IS your picnic kit ready for the sunny days ahead?
The beauty of al fresco dining is you can eat out without breaking the bank.
But investing in some affordable gear will make the occasion even more special…
BAR-MY ARMY: Try the Keter Go Bar two-in-one drinks cooler and table, £35 at B&Q, plus get an extra 25 per cent off selected outdoor items.
SITTING PRETTY: Brighten up even a dull day with a jolly rug, like the turquoise groovy floral blanket by George at Asda, £10.
KEEP YOUR COOL: With space a premium on a picnic, get your water to do two jobs. Fill some plastic bottles and stick them in the freezer the night before. They can start the day as ice packs before melting into perfectly chilled drinks for lunch.
RETRO COOLING: For good looks alone you can’t beat the Polar 12-litre retro-style cooler box, £22 from B&M. But for a carrier that still leaves cash for your crisps and sandwiches, the same store’s Scandi Coast 25-litre picnic bag is a snip at £7.
MAKE PARKING FINE: Don’t let parking charges ruin the day. Find somewhere for free on the Parkopedia app.
BOX CLEVER: Impress a date with a proper picnic set. For style on a budget, try the four-person Monaco picnic hamper from Robert Dyas, £34.99 down from £69.99.
PACK IT IN: Steer clear of wasteful food wraps with a set of three rainbow snack boxes from Dunelm for £4. For super-saving, and savvy recycling, reuse old butter and margarine tubs.
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WINE NOT: Sip in style with Wilko’s four-pack of Rustic Retreat ribbed wine glasses, £9. For kids, try Sainsbury’s pack of six coloured tumblers, £1.50.
- Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
BE ready for the summer with a Monaco 3m x 3m gazebo with folding sides. Originally £199.99, now £99.99 at Robert Dyas.
SAVE: £100
Cheap treat
SEASON’S greetings from Aldi with this bright and breezy Hello Summer cushion for £5.99.
WHAT’S NEW?
LOOKING for some festival fun without the song and dance of huge prices?
Enter the ballot for £5 tickets to Ben & Jerry’s Sundaes On The Pier at benjerry.co.uk.
The festival takes place in Hastings, East Sussex, on August 6, with headliners Soul II Soul.
All proceeds go to local charity The Refugee Buddy Project.
Top swap
WHILE we love Dunelm’s £119 jute border circle rug, above, the £12 price tag on The Original Factory Shop’s jute and cotton circular mat, below, runs rings around it.
SAVE: £107
Shop & save
SPRUCE up your walls for less with two-for-£22 on 2.5-litre pots of Wilko paint, normally £15 each.
SAVE: £8
LEAH’S LITTLE HELPER
TO make healthier choices or opt for less packaging, look out for the Better Basket logo on Tesco products.
Deals on them include a pack of two meat and veg burgers, down from £1. 50 to £1 with a Clubcard.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk