Picnic gifts: Local wares and artisan fare for a simply stylish celebration.

Summer brings notions of backyard birthdays during simpler times when mom had time to bake the cake, and Pic-a-Pop was the mark of a fancy affair. Now, life seems busier, but we have so many specialty shops filled with beautiful food and décor, it’s easy to pull together a stylish outdoor party without doing a whole lot of work. In other words, you can have your cake and eat it too.

In the main photo.

1. Hot Mess Cake, $55 and up; from Whisk Dessert Co
2. New Creative Indoor/Outdoor Pillows, $32 each; from Seasons Gift Shop
3. City Chic Throw, $30; from HomeSense