Memorial Day hits with the smell of sunscreen and the first real sizzle of something on the grill. The sun feels stronger, the kids are barefoot, and someone’s always asking is we can go swimming. It’s that first long weekend that gives you a glimpse of summer — maybe a little too loud, a little too sticky, and totally worth it.

At our house, it’s usually a mix of joy and... let’s call it energetic chaos. Somebody’s chasing a dog that’s stolen a hot dog bun, the toddler is trying to fill a cup with dirt, and we’re somehow out of ice again. But even in the middle of all that, there's something about eating outside that just feels right. The food tastes better, the kids stay busy longer, and suddenly, the backyard starts to feel like its own little celebration.

Setting up a picnic tablescape doesn't have to be anything fancy. A few dishes, some pops of color, and you're halfway there. I’ve found that letting the kids help turns it into an activity too—they get excited about picking flowers or folding napkins, and I get a few extra minutes to breathe. The best part is that these small touches make a big difference. Even a weeknight dinner on a picnic blanket with stainless steel plates and a simple meal feels like something worth remembering.

I wanted to share a few ideas we use to keep Memorial Day meals easy, fun, and just a little extra special. Nothing complicated. Nothing that requires a trip to a craft store. Just real, doable stuff that brings people together. And color. Always color.

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You don’t need new table runners or themed paper goods to make things feel festive. Trust me — your kitchen probably already has everything you need to build a picnic tablescape that feels thoughtful and fun. Actually, the more lived-in it looks, the better. I’m all for using what’s already in the house.

Our stainless steel plates and bowls are a great place to start. They catch the sunlight in the prettiest way and add a little shine that makes everything on the table feel brighter. We use our rainbow sets a lot for this because they’re colorful without trying too hard, and the kids always go straight for them.

Grab your cloth napkins, even the mismatched ones. Pull out those mason jars in the back of your pantry — they’re perfect for holding silverware or wildflowers. Lay down an old blanket or a bedsheet with a little pattern on it and you’ve got your base. That’s your outdoor tablescape foundation, and it didn’t cost you a thing.

I always let the kids help, Montessori-style. They bring out their own plates, fold the napkins into odd little triangles, and stuff spoons into jars like it’s the most serious job in the world. It keeps them busy and gives them ownership over the setup. Plus, they love seeing their “work” become part of the celebration.

Color doesn’t have to mean a bunch of effort. You can skip the themed balloons and still make the table feel special with things you already have — or can gather with the kids in ten minutes flat.

Start with flowers. Snip a few from your yard or break up a grocery store bouquet into smaller bunches. Mason jars, recycled cans, even little cups from the kids’ play kitchen work great as vases. I’ve had tiny hands bring me clovers, dandelions, and whatever else they find poking out of the grass. Let them help — wildflower arrangements by kids are a whole vibe.

Don’t forget the food itself. Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, watermelon—these summer fruits are basically edible decorations. Scatter a few around the table or load up a big stainless steel bowl with them. They bring color and sweetness, and they disappear fast once the kids spot them.

Memorial Day food doesn’t have to be fussy. Actually, the simpler the better — especially if little hands are involved. I like to stick with picnic foods that are easy to prep, easy to eat, and kind of fun to look at.

Sandwich skewers are a big hit around here. Stack chunks of bread, cheese, turkey, and cherry tomatoes on a stick. Boom — portable sandwich. Fruit kabobs work the same way and look great on the table. For veggies, I’ll chop carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers into sticks and stand them up in our stainless steel cups with a little hummus or yogurt dip in the bottom. Anything that keeps fingers busy and bellies full gets a yes from me.

We always serve everything family-style. Put the food out in bowls or trays and let the kids serve themselves. It’s very Montessori — kids get to make their own choices and practice scooping, pouring, and passing. It makes the meal feel more like an experience, not just a quick refuel.

For dessert, I usually go with berry shortcakes. Slice up some strawberries or whatever’s in season, add whipped cream, layer it over store-bought or homemade biscuits. If you’re feeling festive, make the popular flag cake dessert. Or, if it’s hot out, frozen all-fruit popsicles in a cooler do the trick. Let the kids grab their own and try not to stress about the inevitable sticky hands. That’s what napkins — and the hose—are for.

Memorial Day gets a lot of love for the cookouts and the fireworks, but it can also be a time to pause, even just for a minute, and remember why the day exists. You don’t need a formal ceremony or a big speech. Just something small that makes space for reflection.

One idea is to set out a jar in the middle of the table with some scraps of paper and crayons or pens. Everyone, kids and adults, gets a chance to write or draw something they’re grateful for. Or they can honor someone—a family member who served, a neighbor, a friend, anyone who made a difference. Even the littlest ones can scribble or dictate something to be written down.

It’s low pressure. It happens between bites of watermelon and second helpings. But it adds a layer to the day that sticks with you. And later, reading those notes back — some sweet, some funny, some surprisingly deep — can feel like its own kind of celebration.

Once the table’s set and the food’s out, it’s the little extras that really pull everything together. Lighting does a lot, even if the sun’s still hanging around.Hang some string lights or pop a few solar lanterns in the yard. Candles in jars work too — bonus points if the jars used to hold pasta sauce. You don’t need fancy.

Cue up some soft music in the background. The kids love making playlists for things like this, so it’s usually a mix of pop songs, acoustic covers, and a few random surprises. It gives the whole backyard a chill, happy energy without having to say a word.

One thing we always try: a no-screen window. No phones, no tablets, no TVs on in the background. Just food, faces, and maybe a game or two. Try “guess the fruit by taste” with blindfolds, or take turns telling stories — real or totally made up. It’s a good way to stretch the meal out a little longer and soak up the actual people sitting at the table with you.

Once the table’s set and the food’s out, it’s the little extras that really pull everything together. Lighting does a lot, even if the sun’s still hanging around.Hang some string lights or pop a few solar lanterns in the yard. Candles in jars work too — bonus points if the jars used to hold pasta sauce. You don’t need fancy.

Cue up some soft music in the background. The kids love making playlists for things like this, so it’s usually a mix of pop songs, acoustic covers, and a few random surprises. It gives the whole backyard a chill, happy energy without having to say a word.

One thing we always try: a no-screen window. No phones, no tablets, no TVs on in the background. Just food, faces, and maybe a game or two. Try “guess the fruit by taste” with blindfolds, or take turns telling stories — real or totally made up. It’s a good way to stretch the meal out a little longer and soak up the actual people sitting at the table with you.

Giving kids their own space at a gathering makes everything run smoother. Set up a mini picnic tablescape just for them — lower seating, a small table or blanket, and a setup that feels like it's theirs. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Toss out some crayons, a few toys, maybe a stack of books. Done.

Let them decorate their table too. Stickers on cups? Absolutely. Hand-drawn name cards with backwards letters? Even better.

Compartment plates are a great choice. They help with portioning, keep things from rolling around, and look really fun on the table. Plus, way fewer spills when the grapes have their own spot. The kids love having a little bit of independence, and I love not having to wipe ketchup off someone’s lap.

Clean-up time doesn't have to feel like a buzzkill, especially if you’ve already set the table with reusables in mind. We always stick with cloth napkins instead of paper, skip the plastic forks, and use our stainless steel dishes for everything from snacks to dessert. Fewer things in the trash, fewer trips to the store.

The kids pitch in, too. Montessori-style clean-up gives them real jobs that actually help. One kid wipes down the table with a damp cloth. Another helps sort recyclables. And the food scraps? Those go straight into our compost bin. It’s messy, sometimes chaotic, but they learn fast, and there’s something satisfying about seeing them take ownership of it all.

You don’t need a chore chart or rewards system. Just ask them to help. Let them carry the plates back inside, dump the watermelon rinds in the compost, and rinse the bowls. It turns cleanup into part of the event instead of a chore at the end of it. Plus, you get to sit down a little sooner.

A picnic tablescape doesn’t need matching linens or a Pinterest-level setup to feel special. It just needs a little intention, a few colors, and the people you love gathered around — even if someone’s chewing with their mouth open and someone else is trying to feed the dog.

Keep it simple. Let the kids help, even if things end up a little lopsided. Use what you’ve got. Laugh when the wind knocks over the napkins or someone spills the lemonade. These are the moments that stick — the ones that feel real.

At Ahimsa, we have stainless steel plates and bowls that make perfect accessories for your family’s celebrations.

If you like the idea of medical-grade steel dishware but maybe a compartment plate isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, we have a lot.

We design every compartment plate, and cup to be safe, joyful, and durable.