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Now that Spring is here, it’s time to gather your friends and head outdoors. To celebrate the uplifting season of sunshine and happiness, today’s effortless entertaining guide shares easy tips and recipe ideas that will help you plan a pretty picnic at the beach. 

How To Host a Pretty Picnic at The Beach

Since Springtime weather naturally encourages you to head outdoors and have a little fun, a picnic at the beach is always a great idea. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion (like a birthday or graduation) or just want to grab your gal pals for a casual get-together, a picnic at the beach is the perfect excuse to throw a little shindig.

When it comes to figuring out a menu for your picnic, it’s best to opt for easy-to-make food (like scrumptious tea sandwiches) that not only are convenient for toting down to the beach, but also enable your guests to eat as little or as much as they want (without getting messy).

Below are a couple delicious tea sandwich recipes that will not only be quick and easy to prepare in advance of your picnic, they’ll also make your guests happy (since they taste great).

Ingredients:

• Sourdough Bread
• 2 Pears
• 2 Fuji Apples
• Brie Cheese
• Dry Salami
• Roasted Turkey Slices
• Fig Jam

Salami, Pear & Fig Jam Tea Sandwiches

1. Start by cutting the crust off the bread. You can either toast the bread, or use as-is, depending on your preference. Cut the bread into rectangular shapes (since sourdough bread is often mis-shaped).
2. Spread the fig jam onto a piece of bread.
3. Layer a few pieces of the dry salami on top.
4. Slice small pieces of pear and layer on top of the salami.
5. Place a slice of bread on top, and cut into thirds.
6. Stick a deluxe wood toothpick into each tea sandwich, to help keep them together.

Turkey, Apple & Brie Tea Sandwiches

1. Start by cutting the crust off the bread. You can either toast the bread, or use as-is, depending on your preference. Cut the bread into rectangular shapes (since sourdough bread is often mis-shaped).
2. Cut strips of brie cheese and layer onto the piece of bread.
3. Put a few pieces of sliced turkey on top.
4. Slice small pieces of apple and layer on top of the turkey.
5. Place a slice of bread on top, and cut into thirds.
6. Stick a deluxe wood toothpick into each tea sandwich, to help keep them together.

On a serving platter, neatly place each tea sandwich on to the tray. You can even create a second layer, if you have a lot of sandwiches. To make it easier for your guests, separate the sandwiches by type, so that your guests don’t have to guess which one they’re reaching for.

Since these tea sandwiches don’t have mayonnaise, you don’t have to worry about keeping them covered throughout your picnic. Plus, you can just wrap them with plastic wrap, to protect them during transit to and from the beach.

To make your picnic pretty, opt for a festive color theme (like lime green and hot pink). You can use inexpensive decorative accessories (like a faux-plant in a lattice-work container, a whimsical ‘Hello Spring’ framed sign, a colorful straw hat, and even a gingham basket with a beach towel inside) to make for a magical table setting.

Since a beach picnic should feel light, airy, and refreshing, it’s advisable to opt for flavorful, healthy beverages that quench your guests’ thirst while keeping them hydrated. Plus, it’s best to choose beverages that complement the flavors of your dishes. 

As an example, Aquafina Sparkling water in Lemon-Lime flavor is an ideal choice of beverage, since it has 0 calories, no sugar, and no artificial flavors. What makes Aquafina Sparkling water especially delightful on warm Spring days is that they provide the perfect balance of bubbly and a hint of flavor. 

In addition, these canned beverages are conveniently packaged in 8-ct pack options, making them easy and lightweight to carry down to the beach and dispose of when your party is over.

You can shop for Aquafina Sparkling at your nearby Target store in the water aisle. Plus, there will be tastings of Aquafina Sparkling in select Target locations across the US. Check it out the next time you visit your local Target. Get 25% off any Aquafina Sparkling 8pk flavor from 5/21/17 – 6/17/17.

In addition to serving refreshing beverages and scrumptious tea sandwiches, another healthy (and colorful) side dish to bring to your beach picnic is fruit salad. Mixed fruit not only provides a generous dose of nutrient-rich food, it helps keep your guests cool on a warm day. Not to mention – fresh fruit always makes for a beautiful display when presented on a serving platter.

Now that you’ve learned how to effortlessly host a pretty picnic at the beach, it’s time to round up your friends & family and plan a weekend outing to celebrate the sunshine-filled days of Spring.

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