Jam jars can also be used to carry vegetable sticks and hummus - place the hummus at the bottom, then add sticks or carrot, celery, cucumber, pepper and pitta bread to the jar. Empty jars are incredibly useful at the end of the picnic for taking any uneaten food or rubbish back home where it can be disposed of correctly and responsibly.

Sandwiches are also a great choice to cater to a wide range of tastes. Make up several sandwiches with different fillings (ham, cheese, egg mayonnaise, PB&J and chickpea 'tuna' are a few of the classics), cut into quarters and then make up a full sandwich for each person from each of the quarters for maximum variety. Top Tip: Toast your bread before making your sandwiches - this can help to prevent your bread from becoming soggy if you have a wet filling (such as avocado, cucumber or tomato).

For those that enjoy the finer things in life, whip up a batch of plain vanilla cake batter and bake as cupcakes until golden brown, then decorate each cupcake differently according to your friends' favourite flavours, toppings and treats. For the chocoholic, try chocolate buttercream with a square of their favourite chocolate bar. For those who like things a little less sweet, try lemon buttercream and top with mini meringues. Perhaps strawberries are your sisters' favourite fruit? Try strawberry buttercream and garnish with chunks of fresh strawberry. It's time to get creative!

Granola bars and energy balls also make slightly healthier options, thanks to their lower sugar and higher fibre content. Wholegrain oats also provide long lasting energy, making these super snacks for those enjoying their picnic post park workout or morning run! Both options can also be customised according to dietary requirements and can easily be made vegan, dairy free and nut free if necessary.

An option for the younger guests at your picnic is a jelly or chocolate mousse - make up a large batch and scoop it into individual pots that you have at home. You can use yoghurt pots or even old desert glass ramekin's! Just be sure to check that each container is well set, kept upright and covered with foil or a wrap to avoid any mess. You can even add fresh fruit in bite-size pieces to help your little one work towards their five a day.

If one person has been designated to supply drinks for the group, try thoroughly rinsing and re-using an old juice carton or 2l bottle of your favourite fizzy drink and simply re-fill with your choice of beverage. Our homemade lemonade is a fantastic option for a hot summer's day as it's refreshing and zingy, full of flavour and suitable for all tastebuds.

Don't forget to bring enough cups and metal straws to cater for every member of the group, and if it's a little colder, try bringing a flask of hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate to keep you warm from the inside out.

Now, how are you going to store all your delicious, scrumptious homemade food? Lunch boxes are a great option for packing up your picnic. They are reusable, assists in portion control to create minimal to no food waste, aids the prevention of leaks or spillages, and best of all - they are a great way to cater for loved ones with allergies and intolerances. Just portion the food out between each person according to their requirements. But don't forget to label each box with a name to avoid any confusion later down the line!

Top Tip: If you're worried about the food moving around too much with the box, try wrapping your food in bees' wax wraps. This will keep your food both secure and fresh.