Our supper club series is an invitation to slow down, settle in, and intentionally connect with family and friends.
Each season, we’ll share how we envisioned our Shared Table—with ideas for food, table settings, and thoughtful details—while leaving plenty of room for you to make it your own. Our hope is that this encourages a rhythm of gathering throughout the year, making space for the people you love. We can’t wait to see how your table comes to life.
How to Host a Summer Gathering
The spirit of summer is this: delicious food, something sweet to sip on, and relaxed conversation under open skies. An elevated picnic is a great excuse to bring the good plates outside—celebrating life’s beautiful moments together.
Creating a Menu
While an elevated picnic may swap the table for a blanket, the goal is to still serve a fun, satisfying meal. That’s why we went with stacked sandwiches, snackable dips, and salads that layer lots of flavor into one bite.
Remember when dining outside to focus on refreshing, hydrating ingredients that can transport neatly, be enjoyed at room temperature, and are easy to share.
Hosting Snacks, Flavorful Sides + Easy Desserts
- Watermelon Blackberry Bites
- Strawberry Sweet Tea
- 1919 Pimiento Cheese
- Texas Caviar
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Cold Artichoke Dip
- Confetti Sugar Cookie Sandwich
- White Bean Hummus
Setting the Scene
Golden days and blue skies were the inspiration for our picnic, so we started with bold, playful hues balanced by calmer shades of pastel to create an intentional setting.
A picnic basket and blanket are essentials. We started with those as our base, then added bowls, platters, and flatware combined with natural textures—like handwoven or rattan materials, along with cotton napkins.
Summer Entertaining Essentials + Decor
- Handwoven Picnic Basket with Striped Liner
- Striped Beach & Picnic Blanket
- Meadow Check Napkin Set
- Green Scalloped Trio Snack Bowl
- Rattan Charger, Set of 4
Adding Thoughtful Details
Inviting games. A background playlist. Question cards to prompt deeper conversation. Just like any gathering, a picnic creates an opportunity to savor quality time together.
Press play for the picnic-ready playlist our magazine team created for the occasion.
The Shared Table is a recurring feature inside Magnolia Journal. Each season we’ll provide new recipes and inspiration to host your own supper club—wherever, or whenever suits you. See what we’re doing this season at the link below, then share your gathering with us by tagging #MagnoliaSharedTable.
