If you live in one of many chilly parts of the world right now, you may feel that you have no choice but to spend the last days of the year sheltered from what little sunlight the outdoors have left. It’s tempting, I know — but this is also prime time to enjoy the unique pleasure of chilled fresh air breathed over a warm meal during an intimate social gathering. Even better, an experience welcomed by familiarity with the human element in every item at the table. For this, I propose to you the handmade autumn and/or winter picnic.

Table Of Contents

1. Ceramic Mugs for a Warm Drink
2. Sturdy Wooden Plates for Picnic Food
3. Easy-to-Transport Games for Play 
4. Fingerless Mittens for The Whole Crew 
5. Soft Bags for Carrying it all There & Back
6. A Fun Handsewn Hoodie For You

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Ceramic Mugs for a Warm Drink

Handmade in California, USA by Alex Stone at A Stone’s Throw Ceramics.

Here’s what you do: first, spot or set up a picnic table. Invite family and/or friends. Decide on the food — would you go for something hearty, or maybe a line up of cheese crackers and fruits?

Whatever the foods, you’ll need a hot drink for sure. These seasons are famously the perfect time for cradling a warm mug in your hand, sipping slowly, and thinking cool thoughts. By finding a handmade receptacle for your cocoa or tea or hot coffee, make one of those thoughts be of human connection through our everyday items.

Sturdy Wooden Plates for Picnic Food

Handmade in Washington, USA by Knotty Dog Craftworks.

So, do you know what you’re doing for food? Wait — don’t tell me! I know exactly what you need: plates, right? But you’ve already got breakables in the form of ceramic mugs (the best way to enjoy a warm beverage), and it’ll be cold; you don’t want a plate that cools faster than your burritos can warm it.

Fortunately, it’s easy here to find lovingly handmade wooden plates. Get yours in maple, cherry, walnut, or mahogany at Knotty Dog Craftworks.

Easy-to-Transport Games for Play

You’ve got your location, your pals, your food, and your cozy drink. Now what? Talk the afternoon away, nibbling on your crackers and sipping your hot apple cider? 

For sure do that, but a classic of these events that you will no doubt be glad to have with you is a board game. What better than one made with attention and care?

Artisans Cooperative is host to a solid number of table game options, but I’d like to highlight that the same artisan with the beautiful plates can also provide you with a lovely mancala board complete with glass “stones” and an optional personalized engraving. 

Fingerless Mittens for The Whole Crew

Handmade in Oregon, USA by Joan at JoansGarden.

The aim of a picnic is to spend a good amount of time outdoors with your fellow humans. A hot drink, snackable foods, and a good game or two should get you there. 

But it’s cold! No matter how much fun you’re having, everyone will want to go indoors again if you run out of vanilla tea and start freezing. Why not surprise your friends with a brand new set of fingerless mittens — warm, but open enough to allow the dexterity required for gaming and nibbles?

JoansGarden has a number of styles for you to choose from, and offers customized colors if you reach out to ask.

Soft Bags for Carrying it all There & Back

Handmade in Rostock, Germany by Alex R. Haze at Handmade Hearts.

You may be wearing your own pair of mittens on the way to the picnic spot, but you’ll need some space for those plates, games, mugs, and gift mitts. If you’d like to top off the handmade spirit of the event, get yourself a lovingly handmade tote bag with the space — and comfortable level of stretch — to fit all of it together.

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Artisans Cooperative is a growing handmade marketplace for an inclusive network of online creatives: in short, a co-op alternative to Etsy. Check out more gift guides, or browse the marketplace directly, to find more handmade gems and support our artisans.