Instead of carrying dinnerware, silverware, beverage containers, and so on, gourmet picnic baskets contain food for the feast. Gourmet picnic baskets are woven baskets, either with an open top or a closeable lid, containing cheese, salami, bread, crackers, olives, vegetables, dips, and desserts like strawberries, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, mints, and so on. They can contain any or all of these items, or even more.

The key with all these ingredients is to have a large variety of each of the elements. For cheese, pack Parmesan, cheddar, Gouda, or other good, packable cheeses. For breads and crackers, make sure you have enough different kinds so that your dining partners can enjoy a grand buffet of taste sensations! So when you go to buy a gourmet picnic basket, be sure to ask what the picnic basket includes. For the cheese, make sure there is a way to cut it.

Some gourmet picnic baskets do come with dinnerware, glassware, thermoses, cheese knives, and so on. If you really want to go all out, carry two baskets -- one for materials, and one for food! You can get gourmet picnic baskets in backpack format too, so that you will have free hands to carry another container or hold someones hand as you walk through natures vistas.

You might also consider ordering a picnic hamper. This is essentially a huge basket full of gourmet food items. One gourmet picnic hamper is for sale online and contains salmon, caviar, various cheeses and crackers, popcorn, pretzels, jam, dips, stuffed olives, truffles, cookies, candy, nuts, and more. It even includes a cutting board.