This month, as restrictions in the UK eased and we were allowed to meet up in small numbers outdoors I’ve been picnicking almost daily, often with my Dad. The sun has had his hat on, so I forked out for some new picnic gear.
I do love a traditional wicker basket (I think I have about three or four making their way over in a container somewhere in South America), but in the meantime I’ve been making do with some more practical containers of my own.
I am still searching for the perfect picnic bag, but in the meantime below are some of my favourite lunch boxes, sandwich containers and snack packs. Whether you’re off for a picnic, or are prepping a healthy office lunch, I hope you find this useful. Most of the items below can be ordered internationally through Amazon, too.
Happy picnicking, Expaters!
This seemed a bit pricey, but the airtight valve is genius. Salad leaves stay really crisp in this tin. You can use it in the oven too, but of course it’s not microwavable, and not good for the dishwasher either (but I mean, come on, it only needs a quick wash!)
I use this fella for salads on my picnics. It even has a little slider compartment for hummus / olives / bread.
Stainless steel lunchbox, Black + blum, £27.95 GBP.
By the same brand, this is the ultimate sarnie holder. It’s decent enough in size for a proper doorstep wedge style sandwich. It also comes with little apartments inside – perfect for appetisers for real office lunch envy.
Stainless steel sandwich box with bamboo lid, large, Black + Blum, £32.95
I got a load of these sandwich boxes for my kids as I was fed up of using cling film (so much plastic, plastic, plastic…) Anyway, they’re the perfect size and each of my kids knows which colour is for them, so there is no (well, less) fighting.
Sistema sandwich boxes, currently on sale at £7.99 for a set of three, Amazon.co.uk
While I was in the sarnie box aisle, I got these snack pots too. This brand is really good at making watertight, strong boxes, so even squishy fruit hasn’t leaked all over my bag.
Sistema small lunch snack pots, £4.99 for a set of three, Amazon.co.uk
I bought a set of these reusable coffee cups as I felt so bad throwing away cups every time I went to a cafe. Annoyingly, due to Covid many cafes won’t allow you to bring your own mug (yet), but I’ve still been using these mugs to get my tea fix in on the school run.
These cups are made from recycled single-use paper cups and designed for five years use, after which they can be recycled again.
They aren’t leak proof; they have a sippy hole at the top so they’re not for storing a hot drink. However I’ve got a lot of use out of mine when I want a tea but need to dash. And I’m hopeful that I’ll soon be able to take mine along to cafes, just like I used to do in Germany. Oh and it’s BPA free, dishwasher safe and all that jazz.
Circular NOW Coffee Cup, £4.95, CircularandCo.com
