How to Entertain Guests Outdoors This Winter: Top Tips

As the nights grow longer and the days colder, hosting outdoor parties can seem like a distant memory. However, red skies and frosty leaves make the winter months one of the best times to entertain guests outdoors.

Winter Entertaining Made Easy

Bond with friends and loved ones outdoors and enjoy the magic of winter by keeping in mind the following tips:

Gazebos and Patio Curtains

While you won’t be using your patio fans during winter, you can still keep the atmosphere inviting and cozy by adding patio curtains or a gazebo. You can also use roll-up bamboo screens or outdoor curtains to give your party more privacy. If you have a chiminea or fire pit, ensure you keep the curtains at a safe distance to avoid a fire hazard.

Garden Furniture

If you’re considering hosting an outdoor party, providing comfortable furniture should rank high in your list of priorities. Ideally, it is best to opt for high-quality hardwood furniture as it can effectively withstand harsh weather.

Of course, no outdoor party is ever complete without a vast table space. In line with this, consider investing in a matching table so you and your guests can dine comfortably. You can also use throws and outdoor cushions to adorn your garden bench, so everyone can talk and get together in comfort.

Outdoor Fireplace

When entertaining outside during winter, one of your primary priorities should be to keep everyone warm and dry. One foolproof way to ensure everyone stays snug is to add an outdoor chiminea, fireplace, or fire pit to your garden. Fires will not only provide a great focal point, they can also encourage guests to gather around and chat.

For many homeowners, fire pits are great investments since they are not only affordable, they can also be permanent or mobile fixtures. Transportable fire pits are also available at most hardware stores. Chimineas are also affordable and can make an attractive addition to any winter outdoor party.

You can also consider getting a portable outdoor electric heater. They are also easy to use without any of the risks commonly associated with open flames. You also have a vast range of styles to choose from as far as portable heaters go, so you can easily pick one that will best suit your taste.

Outdoor Lighting

Another way you can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere is through outdoor lighting. You can place white LED fairy lights around your garden or light some candles to create a beautiful and welcoming space for you and your guests.

If your party starts after nightfall, ensure your place is well lit with soft and welcoming lights. The lights will not only help welcome and guide your guests, they can also help set the mood for your event.

Warm Food and Beverages

If you throw an outdoor party during winter, ensure there’s plenty of warm food and beverages to go around. Good food ideas when entertaining during the winter include:

• Finger foods
• Hot pastries
• Hog roasts
• Stews and soups
• Shepherd’s pies

Other great hot drink ideas include eggnog, coffee, mulled wine, and hot chocolate. Chocolate and cheese fondues are also considered favorites. Part of the fun of entertaining during winter is guests have an excuse to cook their food.

Sausages, marshmallows, and toasts are fantastic options you can consider if you want to entice guests to cook their food and gather around the fire and have fun.

Blankets and Outdoor Rugs

Apart from heaters and fire pits, ensuring there’s plenty of warm blankets and throws for your guests to use is also a brilliant idea. Adding outdoor rugs is another creative way to keep your guests warm by covering the lawn or patio. Colorful rugs can also add some warmth and color to your party.

Make It Fun!

Play party games like charades to get everyone moving. You can also play some upbeat music to get everyone up and dancing. Entertaining should be fun for you as well with your evening routine. It would be hard for your guests to have a great time if you’re all stressed out. So pour yourself a hot drink, let loose, and enjoy a wonderful evening outdoors with family and friends!

Wrap Up

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t organize a fun and memorable outdoor event. With the tips above, you can easily pull off a fun, unique, and exciting winter party everyone will talk about and remember!

About the Author: Anna Fox is the Content Marketing Strategist of Señor Mist, a Phoenix, Arizona-based company that provides high pressure misting systems/fog effects, comfort heaters, patio drop shades, hvls fans and more. When not writing, she makes use of her spare time reading books and hiking with her dog, Blaze.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash