The sun has finally come out to play and there's no better way to enjoy a spell of good weather than by gathering the troops together for a picnic. Get the wicker picnic hamper out, fill up the cool bag with a tasty assortment of drinks, roll up your tartan picnic blanket and you're good to go.
Before you head to your nearest green spot with mini-sandwiches in hand, check out these cost-saving tips to ensure you have enough change left over to allow yourself a midday treat.

Go DIY

Making your picnic food at home will mean that you make overall cost savings. Homemade sandwiches with cheap and cheerful fillings such as cheese, pickle and tuna will go down well with all the family and provide a hearty but-budget friendly start to your picnic offerings. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, you could fill Tupperware boxes with anything from couscous and pasta salads to crudités with homemade dip. You can also make your own non-alcoholic punch by mixing lemonade, orange juice and fruits with a drop of cordial.

Get family and friends to contribute

Picnics are all about celebrating en masse and there is no shame in asking friends and family to contribute their share. Set up an events page on social media sites such as Facebook, post a list of picnic items and ask your guests to take their pick. Keep all groups of items under £5 so that one person isn't contributing more than another.

Choose your venue carefully

If you want to spend as little as possible entertaining all and sundry on your picnic day, choose a location for your outing that has plenty to offer. The beach is ideal if your idea of a good time is a swim in the sea followed by hours spent reading your Kindle under a parasol. The kids can also work off their picnic lunch by building sandcastles and generally getting up to no good. If you don't happen to live by the coast, then your local park should have a kid's playground and even a paddling pool that can help to keep the whole family busy as you lay out your tempting feast.

Head to your nearest pound store

Pound stores are a treasure trove of delights and there is nothing more satisfying then leaving a shop with change from a £5 note. Stock up on disposable plates, cutlery, multi-packs of drinks and snacks and even games to play once your appetites are fully satisfied.

Keep food cool

Using cool packs to keep your food at an optimum temperature will mean that it doesn't go to waste and you won't need to pay out for extra food on the day. Thermos flasks are also perfect for keeping drinks either hot or cold, which works for tea lovers and juice drinkers alike.

Use your loyalty points

Most families save up their supermarket loyalty points for big occasions such as Christmas or birthdays but there is no reason why you can't cash them in for your annual picnic. Any savings you do make can then be used to buy a few picnic extras, from ice cream cones on the day to a few bottles of sparkling wine.

Make the most of deals

Supermarkets run regular promotional deals on food and drink and these savings can really help to make the most of your picnic budget. For really savvy shopping, plan your picnic menu around the latest buy-one-get-one-free offers.