Picnic basket

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A picnic basket is a basket or other container, such as a hamper, intended to hold food and tableware for a picnic meal.

The term usually refers to the contents of the container as well as the container itself. Picnic baskets are considered to be standard equipment at small picnics but are usually not brought along to large picnics. At large picnics, coolers are often used instead, to accommodate larger amounts of pre-prepared food and keep it fresh.

While the basic concept of a picnic basket is quite simple, some picnic baskets sold by gourmet stores are quite large and elaborate, with insulated compartments to hold hot and cold foods, and dishware including wine glasses and porcelain plates which are secured in pockets along with items of cutlery, condiments, corkscrew etc.

One can also buy picnic baskets that are backpacks with similar insulated compartments and pockets for the tableware, rather than traditional woven baskets.

Many modern picnic baskets also have a special storage section to hold a bottle of wine, the traditional beverage brought along to intimate picnics. Some modern picnic baskets come with detachable blankets (to sit on) as well.