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Winter Party Ideas Around Your Outdoor Fireplace

Christmas has come and gone, and the months of January and February can seem long, cold, and a little depressing without all of December’s lights and festivities.

Winter does not mean that the parties have to end. In fact, winter provides its own unique set of opportunities to host an outdoor party. With an outdoor fireplace installed on your deck or patio, your backyard will instantly transform into a cozy haven for your winter party guests.

 

How to Throw a Great Outdoor Party Using Your Outdoor Fireplace

Make your outdoor fireplace the focal point of the party

As a host, your primary concern for throwing an outdoor winter party is keeping your guests warm and comfortable. After all, cold and miserable guests are not likely to stick around for long.

That’s where your outdoor fireplace comes in. Not only does it make a fantastic focal point for the party, but it provides ample outdoor heating to keep everyone warm. While you could use an outdoor fire pit, an outdoor gas fireplace uses natural gas to give you the traditional fire experience without the mess or concern with bylaws.

 

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Pull out the patio furniture

Just because it’s winter does not mean that you need to keep all of your outdoor furniture stowed away. Nearly any outdoor furniture can be used throughout the winter months. Pull it out of storage and set it up near the fireplace so that guests have a warm and comfortable place to sit. Cover your picnic table with a winter-themed tablecloth and make a centerpiece out of pinecones and candles. Create a warm, cozy ambiance that contrasts with the cold of the outdoors.

 

Serve winter-themed food and drinks

Around your outdoor fireplace, you can serve an assortment of food and beverages suitable for the winter festivities. A hot chocolate bar nearby is sure to be a hit, where guests can choose from a variety of chocolate powders, add milk or water, and then add in extras like marshmallows, flavoured syrups, or little candy canes. Don’t forget options for warm winter cocktails too!

Your guests might also enjoy a bubbling pot of melted cheese or chocolate fondue with various fruits, cheeses, or other treats to dip in. Other options might include pots of soup or chili and fun finger foods like sliders and tiny cups of munchies for the kids. Try to have all of your food ready ahead of time so that when the party begins, you can simply bring it outside and enjoy yourself near the fire.

 

Have fun activities suited to all of your guests

It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean your guests can’t have some active fun! If your yard is filled with snow, your guests might enjoy a snowball fight or building a snowman or snow fort. If your backyard has a hill and enough snow, then it’s time to pull out the sleds and inflatable snow tubes. Consider a skating party or hockey game if your yard is large enough for an ice rink.

If there are kids among your guests, you might set up a large projector screen or even simply use a large blanket and play an outdoor movie once the sun goes down. And when everyone is getting cold and a bit hungry, they can gather by the outdoor fireplace to enjoy some of your delicious food and drinks.

 

Incorporate warmth in other ways

Your outdoor fireplace may provide the primary source of outdoor heating for your guests, but it is a good idea to offer additional ways to keep warm. You could scatter a few propane heaters near the seating area and food table and supply blankets for your guests to wrap themselves up. Make sure to have extra hats, mittens, and scarves on hand if one of your guests needs one!

Having an outdoor fireplace installed is a great decision. It will not only help you to enjoy your outdoor living space all year long, but it will also add to your home’s value.

Whether giving you a place to curl up by the fire outside, or the focal point of your outdoor winter parties, an outdoor fireplace will provide endless enjoyment for the entire family and quickly become the place where your friends prefer to gather. Add in some food, beverages, and activities, and your winter parties will be eagerly anticipated year after year!

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