I spent a Saturday afternoon in 1950… let me explain.
When you think of a picnic in the park, your mind probably goes straight to sitting on a blanket in the grass, surrounded by pillows—right? And honestly, it looks super cute. But the reality? For me, it’s… not the most comfortable. The grass might be damp, I end up hunching over to eat, my glass tips over unless I bring trays, and inevitably, ants start to crawl toward my food. I still wanted that beautiful outdoor experience, but I knew I needed something a little more practical.
So, I had an idea: a tailgate picnic.
I packed up my 1955 Chevy truck with a small table, chairs, and all the vintage accessories I needed to create the perfect setup. I even put together a free printable Ultimate Picnic Checklist so you can plan your own picnic without forgetting a thing (like I did—but more on that later!).
My Target Haul for the Day
To prep, I made a quick trip to Target for some affordable, stylish picnic basics:
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12.6oz Clear Plastic Tumblers – Room Essentials™ – perfect for lemonade or iced tea
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20oz Plastic Stemmed Wine Glasses – Threshold™ – a chic but practical touch
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2.4L Clear Plastic Pitcher – Room Essentials™ – for fresh lemonade
I also splurged on a Bluetooth speaker that looks like a vintage radio—because why not go all-in?
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Retro Portable AM/FM Bluetooth Radio – Hearth & Hand™: The sound was great, and it added the perfect nostalgic touch.
The Set-Up
We arrived at my favorite park—bonus: the whole parking lot is shaded! I set up a folding table for my guest and me, then used the open tailgate as a food and drink station.
Instead of traditional plates, I went with picnic boxes so guests could build their own meals. It looks great in photos and keeps things neat. In my last-minute scramble, I grabbed metal tins from Dollar Tree, but these fold-flat craft boxes are what I wish I’d used.
I also brought along some wood crates to add different heights to the table—not only did it look cute, but it made grabbing food and drinks easier.
Set the Mood (It’s All in the Details)
The cherry on top? The doo-wop playlist I made. I even added in a few vintage commercial clips between songs. Every person walking by stopped to admire the setup—I’m telling you, the vibes were strong. And honestly, it was just fun.
You can listen to the full playlist here:
My Vintage Tailgate Picnic Playlist on YouTube
The One Thing I Forgot
Once everything was set up and the fruit, meats, and cheeses were displayed… the flies came hovering. Ugh! I had to keep most of the food covered with parchment paper, which totally detracted from the vibe.
The one thing I didn’t have on my checklist? Fly fans.
I’ve added them to the printable for you—because trust me, you don’t want your dreamy picnic ruined by annoying bugs. These little fans are quiet, chemical-free, and keep flies off your food without fuss. You can find the exact ones I used right here.
Ready to Plan Your Picnic?
I created a free printable Ultimate Picnic Checklist so you can make planning easy and aesthetic. Whether you’re doing a traditional picnic on the grass or trying a tailgate twist like I did, it has everything you’ll need to make your summer picnic stylish, functional, and fly-free.
