It's Teddy Bears' Picnic Day!

The golden sunny days are upon us now. So the question is: what are your favourite outdoor activities in July? Are picnics among them? July is National Picnic Month, and Wednesday, July 10th is Teddy Bear Picnic Day! 

Now, when was the last time you gave some thought to that? Just the mention of a teddy bear picnic has me smiling! I do love teddy bears. They make special friends. Spending time in nature on a summers' day with these cuddly creatures can create whimsical memories for little ones in your life.

I have a friend who has little tea parties with her grandchildren with real china. It's a lovely way to appreciate beauty in so many forms. Preparation for such an occasion can be fun, too. Making sandwiches and cut-up vegetables for little fingers to dip. Baking little tea-cakes or cookies. Setting a blanket or table with a small vase or jam jar of flowers from the garden...

Picnics can be as simple or as sumptuous as you like. They can be excuses to call up friends and celebrate an occasion, have a quiet moment together to catch up, and even peaceful, private experiences. It's a great way to literally ground oneself and look up at the sky, take in the leaves on the tree branches and feel the warm air mixed with a gentle, cooling breeze. Listen to the sounds of a nearby bumble bee or children laughing in a park.

The melody for the popular song, "The Teddy Bears' Picnic", was written in 1907 by an American composer (John Walter Bratton) and had lyrics added in 1932 by Irish songwriter (Jimmy Kennedy). Many famous singers have covered this song over the years, including Bing Crosby, Jerry Garcia, Anne Murray and even Roseanne Barr! Given how long this song has been around, you likely have memories hearing it in childhood.

There are many beloved bears. A few whom we'd invite for a picnic would include:

• Paddington
• Winnie-the-Pooh
• Aloysius (from Brideshead Revisited)
• Yogi Bear
• Baloo (from The Jungle Book)
• Po (from Kung Fu Panda)
• Curduroy
• the Care Bears
• Teddy Ruxpin
• ... and Mr. Bean's teddy.

A few picnic-worthy items from Figg Street Co.: