Well here we reach the cooler months, and within that, so many of us choose to stay cozy and rug up in front of the fire, or whatever indoor heating is nearby.
While there is nothing wrong with that, for I am one who is all for a comforting warm blanket and a mug of hot chocolate, even a movie night with friends, that doesn't mean that your outdoor setting has to be abandoned - like the long lost relative you only see in the summer holidays.
Believe it or not, there are ways to make winter in your new home enjoyable, even while outdoors.
From a communal gathering area around the backyard, with a setting for creative activities to keep warm, to a particular dress code for guests to wear, and the food and layout, here is my guide to how you can still catch up with friends and family - even in the colder weather.
Cooking Outdoors:
If your house design includes a killer outdoor area or patio, you don’t have to wait till December to use it again. It is still possible to embrace the comforts of having a feast outdoors in winter. A great way to do this is by using an electric bbq in an outdoor kitchen.
An electric barbecue can allow you to cook many varieties of meat outdoors, moreover, you can also use it in the capacity of slow cooking certain meats that will allow them to tenderise over a slow heat.
Make sure that you also preheat the barbeque in advance before cooking. This will allow earlier time to eat in a warmer area.
By cooking within the grounds of an outdoor kitchen, you get the means to extend the range of your preparation and cooking space as well as have the ability to engage with your guests while making the feast.
This can also allow others to collaborate and help out, or to specify what they want, which makes for a far more friendly and interactive atmosphere.
Bring A Winter Dish:
Just because the weather isn't bright and sunny doesn't mean that you can't host a gathering. With the right catering and the right layers, enjoying the crisp night air with friends and family can be fun. In fact, a friend of mine used to have a dress-up night in the middle of winter; it gave us all a means to catch up, meet new people, as well as share some great food and winter warmer recipes.
Alongside the traditional sausages and steak, you can bring those such as lamb casserole, homemade bread, and winter desserts, such as pies and puddings.
It can also be a great opportunity to swap recipes with others so that you get a wider selection for your own repertoire.
Dress up & Rug Up:
If you are initiating a dress code for the gathering, don't forget to bundle up as the weather gets cooler. However, as I said in my previous point, that doesn't mean you can't dress up smart for a good time.
You could even hold small prizes for the best dressed at the gathering. This can become a welcome tradition and add a little fun to a chilly day or night.
Nevertheless, a jacket, coat, or scarf is a good and beneficial accessory to help you stay warm.
It will also help you from wanting to constantly crowd around the closest heat source.
Set Up A Hot Drinks Station:
When it comes to keeping the cold at bay, a great way to mingle with friends is over a few drinks. Even if your house design doesn’t include an outdoor kitchen, by setting up a hot drinks station, you can make a combination of warming beverages that will suit both children and adults.
From eggnog and mulled wine for the grown-ups to various hot chocolates and other assorted non-alcoholic hot drinks that can be enjoyed, not just by the kids, but those at heart.
Better yet, in the means of an outdoor winter atmosphere, this is something that can get everyone together around a common area.
Wool Throw Blankets, Fire pits & Toasted Marshmallows:
When it comes to hosting an outdoor party in winter, there is no denying that we want to find a way to keep warm and cosy.
This can be particularly notable at night when the temperature drops quickly. However, it is not to worry, for there are ways you and your guests can keep toasty warm all evening and have fun.
When dinner is over, it's time to warm up desserts - where you, the kids and friends can toast marshmallows over the firepit. You can even create a competition with extra lollies and chocolate for the best dessert stick.
Curl up with some extra throw rugs on your outdoor seating with your mug of hot chocolate, or you can also create the best activity for both the kids and the kids at heart.
I mean, who doesn't love a good toasted marshmallow?
From cooking for guests to bringing a warm plate, dressing up to rugging up and gathering around with a game, a hot meal and a hot beverage, the outdoors in winter can bring its own party pleasures.
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