That is my go to wedding gift. I like a basket that folds flat like this - https://smile.amazon.com/Insulated-Upboxn-Leakproof-Collapsible-Oktoberfest/dp/B08JLXQRM7/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=picinc+basket+collapsable&qid=1627002243&sr=8-2 I usually add a small cutting board, knife with a cover, fun table cloth, a corkscrew and a two unbreakable wine glasses. Add wine, cheese, crackers and something sweet and you have a great wedding gift.

I haven't used a picnic basket in years....but at one time mine got quite a work out.

It's just a basic picnic basket with a top that closes but doesn't latch and a "l,evel" so you can put a pie of something and it won't get crushed, but you have to take everything else out to get to it so I never used it.

But It had a pair of very nice heavy acrylic stemmed wines, a velcro closed case with a couple of sharp knives, another case with a small cheese board and knife, closable salt and peppers some melamine plates and mugs, paper napkins and a small checkered table cloth.

Can't tell you the nunber of times that cloth was tossed over some grotty picnic table to make it clean enough to eat from.

I would also add things you might not buy for yourself. Special salt. Small jars of delicious chutneys or pickles. We get little jars of rum babas and crêpes in liqueur that all have long shelf lives so they have something ready to add to their picnic. Pâtés. Little mini games to take to play with their child. Special edibles from specialist shops that you don't buy for yourself.

I love Lindac's idea of the cloth. You can get lovely picnic blankets too that are waterproof on one side. Who doesn't love a medley of goodies! Lovely present.

I really like Picnic Time products (which I have sold quite a few of in a not-for-profit gift shop) I have a couple too. https://www.picnictime.com/product-category/brands/picnic-time/picnic-baskets/

They make quite a variety of fitted picnic baskets in wicker (including heart shaped) to modern cooler fabric to wheelie and hybrid. The Malibu tote is really popular. I love the little barrel wicker one, which is easy to carry, and still has a romantic, old fashioned look without being cutesy.

Pllog the "country time" model is the one I have. I love it. But I use it for program supplies when I do nature walks for little kids. I love pulling out some interesting program aide from the basket. I was thinking of getting it and outfitting it. The lack of a latch I thought might be an issue. My folks have a similar one out of wood, with enough space for a potluck dish and service for two. They used it when invited to gatherings where they needed to bring a dish and their own cutlery. I was thinking of something along those lines. With a "level" like LindaC describes, to make it easier to put some food in the basket without it getting squished. Pies are the worst!! But they also make pie and cake storage containers so maybe moot. I don't see these folks making pies much, they both work full time and will probably have to their whole lives to support their family in the area they live and the fields they work in. They are foodies as in they go out to eat a lot and buy premade foods at stores, not cooking per se.

Now leaning maybe towards an engraved charcuterie board. Hubs got me one as a wedding gift. Don't use it much since the pandemic hit, not sure of its future. But it does look nice on display in the dining room . . .

Look at other things on the Picnic Time site. They have some great cheeseboards with storage and cheese knives, for instance. Also great wine caddies. You might find some inspiration.

I appreciate a practical thinker. Because in picnic situations, the focus is so often on the food. In addition to your lovely goodies, would maybe include things people tend to forget. A cloth, a corkscrew, some wet wipes for dirty hands, some bug repellant/sunscreen, some tiny but pretty salt and pepper shakers ( I found some tiny salt and pepper grinders and thought they were absolutely adorable) I have found some novelty ice packs that may be fun depending on their tastes. (If the child has a particular favorite character, you can sometimes find them made into an ice pack. Weird, I know)

Its nice to have separate things just for picnics, so for example you don't have to bring a corkscrew or salt and pepper or dishes from your everyday stuff, making it easy to forget. You have a picnic corkscrew that stays in the basket, etc.

Also, because I am an "extra" sort of person, I would take some of my own picnic friendly recipes, and turn to my CF friends for more, and print them out either on nice little cards and put them in a pretty recipe box or on regular paper and put them in a binder to include.

You are so thoughtful.

My sister and BIL noticed me looking at picnic baskets wherever we went (just something I was interested in) They decided to buy me a HUGE wicker picnic basket which we used maybe 2 times.

My preference is a backpack picnic set up with the backpack being a cooler and the outer pocket holding place settings for 2 including plates, cutlery, wine glasses and a wine holder on the side. Perfect size for 2.

Hubs and I both have large insulated lunchboxes with soft sides, which we used back in our long commuting days. I would pack lunch and two snacks and even sometimes something for the hour and fifteen minute ride home. Now we use them all the time when traveling. We don't much care to eat out just for the sake of eating out, we prefer to picnic with our own food in the summer. I inherited a beautiful woven picnic basket with a wood frame interior. It got a workout back in my youth as my folks had several big boats and we packed a lot of stuff in and out. I use that when I am going on a long trip.

I'm not sure what these folks are going to do. They have a family cottage so I haven't noticed them picnicking much, they go to restaurants a lot though. They don't seem to be the camping grilling types. So now I'm leaning towards just getting them a charcuterie board and maybe just finding an open basket at the thrift store to put it in with some other accoutrements. For sure there will be some of my pickles and relishes. I'm thinking fru fru cheese crackers, some type of pesto or pepper spreads, and maybe some type of chocolate thing if I can find something good. I know I have had really great chocolate covered cranberries before. Oh, maybe a gourmet nut mix and some great dried fruits like apricots. I once bought some cheese with apricots mixed into it, it was fab. I might give them some little cards with suggested charcuterie spread combinations . . . like cheese and wine pairings, etc. I'm sure they would like that, they're into that kind of thing with wine.

Suggestions of your favorite products welcome. I will probably have to get a fair amount of this online because we don't have much selection in my small town. I don't want to go overboard, just five or six things . . .

For 5 bucks you could fill that basket with Misfits pantry items. Crackers, olives, dried fruits like figs and dried mango, honey, mustards, nuts, jams, etc. They have a new system where you only add to a cart what you want as long as it hits 30bucks. Ignore and nothing is sent. Lots of time to check new items. New code is 30dollars off. Prices are now visual so a cross check with WholeFoods show how good the prices are. I sign in and see what is offered and ignore if i don't see a need. Then later, closer to the event, check a couple weeks before and get yourself some treats, and add a few more things for them....then cancel if it does not suit. Not sure how long the 30 bucks off lasts...

I should add iGourmet and SuperMarketItaly are also good on-line.