What to Pack in a Cottagecore Picnic Basket
There’s something beautifully old-fashioned and dreamy about packing a picnic basket—even if you're only walking it to the backyard garden. For me, it’s not just about the meal. It’s the ritual of gathering little things I love, folding them in cloth and memory, and heading out to where the sunlight kisses the grass just right. Whether it’s a weekend outing with the kids or a quiet moment to myself, a picnic is a way to slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures.
I’ve fallen in love with thrifting all my picnic things. It’s how I’ve built my own magical, vintage picnic kit—piece by piece, just like the women before us used to do. Last week I even found a straw hat for $10 that makes me feel like I stepped out of a 1950s French film. It’s wide-brimmed, lightly frayed at the edges, and absolutely perfect for shading my face while sipping lavender lemonade.
So today, I’m sharing exactly what I pack in my cottagecore picnic basket and how I style it with charm, what homemade treats I love to include, and the little touches that make it feel romantic and practical all at once.
The Basket Itself: Vintage & Sturdy
The first treasure I ever thrifted for my picnic life was a large, handwoven basket with leather straps. It cost me $7 at a small-town thrift shop. I still remember walking out of that store with it under my arm, heart fluttering like I’d just been given a secret from the past. That basket felt like it had stories of its own—afternoons in a sun-dappled meadow or packed lunches shared under old oak trees.
Look for baskets that are roomy, sturdy, and have that "lived-in" feel. I always prefer ones with a flat base so they sit comfortably on uneven grass. A long handle is also a must—it should swing effortlessly from your wrist as you walk barefoot across the yard or down a trail.
Thrift Tip: Dig around in the housewares or seasonal section—don’t limit yourself to just the obvious picnic baskets. Wine caddies, old magazine holders, and vintage market totes can be repurposed beautifully. One of my absolute favorite finds? A vintage sewing basket that looked so much like a picnic basket, I gasped when I found it. It sweet wooden handles, and it’s now one of the most unique and charming pieces in my collection. That’s the magic of thrifting. You’re not just shopping, you’re treasure hunting.
Inside My Picnic Basket
1. Thrifted Tablecloths, Sheets, and Blankets
I never buy brand-new picnic blankets. My favorite ones were once soft vintage bedsheets or floral tablecloths I found tucked away on a thrift store shelf. I always search for delicate prints, thick cotton, and anything that looks like it belongs in an old countryside inn. Faded roses, tiny blue forget-me-nots, soft checks—these are the things that make my heart skip.
Some of the best ones have only cost me $3–$5 and have held up beautifully through backyard tea parties, toddler snack time, and plenty of grassy naps.
Practical Tip: I always layer a thrifted, plastic-backed tablecloth underneath. It’s not the prettiest part—but on dewy mornings or after a little watering in the garden, it keeps everything else clean and dry.
2. Enamelware or Mismatched Plates & Cups
There’s something magical about sipping iced tea from a dainty thrifted teacup or nibbling on strawberries from a chipped floral saucer. I collect mismatched enamelware and old china with gold trim—nothing too precious to actually use, but all beautiful enough to turn a simple picnic into a storybook moment. My favorite is a scalloped plate with a faded blue rose in the center. It’s a little worn, but oh, how charming.
3. Homemade Cottage Snacks
Now this is where the heart of the picnic really is—simple, unfussy food that still feels a little special.
Here’s what I usually pack:
A loaf of soft white bread (yes, we love our white bread!) with a little container of butter and a jar of my homemade strawberry jam. It’s always the first thing to disappear.
👉 Here’s the recipe I use for my soft white breadCubed Colby Jack cheese—no need for fancy cheese boards when a sweet little thrifted jar holds these perfectly.
Fresh grapes and strawberries. Strawberries are always a must, whether it’s the jam, a topping for bread, or whole and juicy in a bowl.
Cucumber sandwiches—I slice them thin and layer them between buttered bread with fresh herbs from the garden. Dill or chives are my go-to.
To drink: Iced tea or lavender lemonade in mason jars with a bit of twine or lace tied around the top. Sometimes I’ll drop in a sprig of mint or a thin lemon slice just to make it feel extra pretty.
And if I’m running low on time (or energy), I’ll throw together a pantry picnic—some crackers, dried fruit, and nut butter. The truth is, the magic isn’t in the menu—it’s in how it’s gathered and shared. Even simple food becomes beautiful when it's eaten outside on a quilt with the breeze in your hair and the birds overhead.
Romantic Touches That Make It Special
Fresh Flowers
Sometimes I’ll snip a handful of flowers from the garden and tuck them in a glass jar. Even a few wildflowers make the spread look like a Jane Austen dream.
Books & Journals
I love to keep a book of poetry or a journal tucked in the basket. Just in case the moment calls for a little reading under the trees or some quiet writing while the breeze stirs the page.
A Wide-Brimmed Hat
Like that $10 straw hat I mentioned—honestly, it’s become a picnic staple. It keeps the sun off my face, looks darling in photos, and was such a joyful find! Thrift stores are full of hats, and I always look for ones with a bit of age and charm to them.
A Backyard Picnic Is Still a Picnic
Don’t think you need a fancy field or a faraway meadow to make a picnic feel magical. Some of my most cherished memories have happened just a few feet from my kitchen door, right in the comfort of our backyard.
I’ll gather everything into my well-loved thrifted basket, throw on a sunhat and spread a soft floral sheet under the trees. I bring out a little speaker and play Édith Piaf, soft French café jazz, or sometimes let the birds and breeze set the mood on their own. It doesn’t have to be anything grand—it just has to be intentional.
Some days, we’ll plan a slow picnic, but more often than not, our backyard picnics happen after a swim. The kids are sun-kissed and a little waterlogged, drying off on the blanket while sipping lemonade or iced tea. They’re always hungry after the pool, and it’s the perfect time to refuel with fruit, sandwiches, and something simple and sweet. It’s become one of our favorite rhythms in the summertime.
Now that my kids are getting older, we’ve moved beyond the tea party years. And while I’ll always treasure those dainty little moments, picnics have become the best way to connect. We linger, we snack, we talk about the day. Sometimes we say nothing at all and just watch the clouds drift by. These are the little in-between moments that feel like magic.
It doesn’t matter that the laundry is inside waiting, or that we didn’t drive anywhere special. A backyard picnic is still a picnic. It’s the heart of slow living—thrifted plates, jam on white bread, lemonade in mason jars. It’s memory-making in its most simple, beautiful form.
Final Tips for a Perfect Cottagecore Picnic
Pack with purpose: A small cutting board, butter knife, and cloth napkins go a long way.
Layer your linens: A sheet, a quilt, a pillow or two—make it cozy!
Embrace the imperfect: If your plate is chipped, or your lemonade is a bit too tart, let it be part of the charm.
Thrift with intention: Look for pieces that feel romantic but are still practical. Washable fabrics, durable dishes, and anything that sparks joy.
There’s an old-world grace to the act of picnicking. It's like saying, "I will pause. I will enjoy. I will make something beautiful out of today." And with a little basket, a few thrifted treasures, and a cozy blanket under the sun, you can do just that.
If you’re building your own vintage picnic set, I’d love to hear about your favorite finds. Drop me a comment or tag me in your magical backyard moments.
With sun-warmed strawberries and floral sheets,
Brooke
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Welcome to my cozy corner of the internet! I’m Brooke, and I’m so thrilled you’re here. As a homeschool mom and a lover of all things Cottagecore, I’ve built a life that’s all about creating warmth, charm, and simplicity—and I can’t wait to share it with you!
Cottagecore, for me, is about slowing down and embracing the beauty of intentional living—finding joy in baking fresh bread, tending a garden, or savoring a quiet moment with a cup of tea by a sunny window. It’s about blending the rustic charm of Cottagecore with the refined elegance of French Country style to create a life that feels both beautiful and attainable.
One of my greatest passions is curating unique, timeless treasures that reflect this way of life. Whether it’s a vintage find, a sustainable piece, or a handmade item with a story to tell, I love sharing these special discoveries with you. And now, you can shop these carefully chosen pieces right here! Each item is selected with love, bringing charm, sustainability, and elegance into your home and wardrobe.
This little community of like-minded women makes everything even sweeter. I’m so excited to connect, inspire, and celebrate the magic of Cottagecore together. Thank you for stopping by—it means the world to me. Let’s embrace a simpler, more beautiful life, one lovely find at a time!
I’ve packed picnic baskets for tea parties under the trees, quiet moments in the garden, and post-swim snack breaks in the backyard. From thrifted blankets to strawberry jam, here’s how I make each picnic feel magical—no matter how close to home it is.