Are you gearing up to host an amazing winter garden party for your friends and family? If so, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed trying to find the right balance between fun and function. Don’t let a little snow kill your party plans!
To get ready for your epic party, you need to do a little creative planning and preparation. Your biggest challenge will be finding ways to keep your guests warm and comfortable despite the falling temperatures, but it can be done. To help you with the planning process, I have put together a list of important considerations for outdoor gatherings during the colder months. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Create a Comfortable, and Protected, Seating Space
Whether you’re planning a festive get-together for the family this holiday season or simply arranging a fun garden party with friends, you don’t want to overlook the importance of creating a comfortable and protected seating space that can accommodate everyone. To ensure everyone will be comfortable regardless of the weather, this goes beyond just rearranging garden furniture!
Start by creating a shelter of some form to keep your guests protected by the elements. If you don’t currently have a gazebo or covered patio that you can transform for the party, consider putting up a backyard tent or canopy, like those used by campers for their dining area. If your backyard tent comes with privacy walls, make sure to put those up as a wind blocker and help maintain the heat inside and keep your guests warm. If not, you can create your own ‘walls’ with the help of a basic tarp. You may be surprised to discover how warmer your seating area will be by simply blocking 3 of the 4 sides.
Once you have the structure in place, it’s time to add comfortable seating. There is a wide selection of different types of chairs and benches available, each with its benefits in terms of space, comfort, and style. It allows you to consider the needs of your guests and the theme of the party when making your decision.
Light a Bonfire for Aesthetic and Added Warmth
Another great option to keep your guests warm and add to the fun of your outdoor gathering is to include a bonfire. Finding the best approach to incorporating a fire to keep your guests warm starts with a little research on your part. Take some time to learn about the bylaws in your area and whether you are permitted to use an open-air wood-burning fire pit. While some towns and cities allow for a standard fire pit, others have restrictions in place with heavy fines.
If you can’t use a wood-burning fire pit, other outdoor fireplaces can provide warmth in the cold weather using different solutions, like propane. These pits are constructed to contain the fire better, allowing them to be used in more areas.
Consider Using a Garden Shed or Garage Space
For those with access to a larger garden shed or garage, this can serve as a great option for seating while offering structured floor space and protection from the elements. Don’t worry about the fact that your shed or garage may look a little ‘rustic’ or void of character. You can transform the area with the help of the right decorations, creating a party space to remember. It is the perfect choice for those hosting a dinner party, desiring a dining space with a table, or even a picnic table that guests can sit at while enjoying their food.
The options are endless in decoration as most sheds and garages are nothing more than a blank slate. You can make your DIY wall and table decorations or visit a party store to pick up everything you need. Many retailers will even offer ‘party in a box’ kits, baby shower party kits, holiday party kits, or even kits for bachelorette parties. Your only limit is your imagination.
Light Up the Yard with the Perfect Mood Lighting
Another important factor to consider for your winter garden party is lighting. Not only is this key for ensuring that your guests can move about safely, able to see their surroundings, but it can add dramatically to the aesthetic of your outdoor space. For example, if you are decorating for special occasions like birthday parties or wedding receptions, fairy lights are often used to create an almost magical feeling. Consider your party theme and the overall mood that you are trying to create for those in attendance. Some popular outdoor lighting options include solar pathway lights, tiki torches, globe string lights, Christmas lights, or even candlelight (for the right occasion).
Provide Plenty of Warm Blankets for Your Guests
For those with access to a larger garden shed or garage, this can serve as a great option for seating while offering structured floor space and protection from the elements. Don’t worry about the fact that your shed or garage may look a little ‘rustic’ or void of character. You can transform the area with the help of the right decorations, creating a party space to remember. It is the perfect choice for those hosting a dinner party, desiring a dining space with a table, or even a picnic table that guests can sit at while enjoying their food.
The options are endless in decoration as most sheds and garages are nothing more than a blank slate. You can make your DIY wall and table decorations or visit a party store to pick up everything you need. Many retailers will even offer ‘party in a box’ kits, baby shower party kits, holiday party kits, or even kits for bachelorette parties. Your only limit is your imagination.
Serve Hot Winter-Themed Drinks and Warming Cocktails
Now that you have the ideal party space sorted out, it’s time to move on to another consideration for a successful party – food and drinks! Starting with the drink choices, this is another opportunity to keep your guests warm and cozy. Instead of serving up the traditional cocktails, you can stick with those that are made with hot chocolate, coffee, apple cider, or other tasty ingredients. For corporate events, you might want to skip the alcohol. However, there are great recipes for each option with ‘a twist’ for other special events and holiday gatherings. My personal favorite for parties is to make red wine hot chocolate directly over the fire.
Are you throwing a themed party? Don’t forget to consider how you’re serving up your drinks to your guest. Wedding or special occasions will call for something a little fancier and more refined, while a Halloween party, for example, can be right on a theme by using a witch’s cauldron or decorative skull pitchers and glasses.
Grill Up a Hearty Meal
You can keep everyone feeling warm and satisfied at your outdoor parties by offering a hearty meal. Many experts believe that the food you choose can have a direct impact on your body temperature. It means that choosing the right foods can raise your body temperature and keep you warm. This concept can be traced back to Chinese medicine. However, it is now incorporated into outdoor survival courses where better body temperature regulation is crucial.
There is a wide assortment of party meal options to choose from that work to incorporate these benefits. The first and arguably most obvious option is anything considered ‘spicy’. When you eat spicy foods, most people can feel the heat as their face flushes, or they start to sweat. Other options include grains, nuts, seeds, root vegetables, and animal products. Try making a hearty stew over the fire, or use this as an excuse to grill up your favorite meats.
Incorporate Fun Winter Activities to Get Your Guests Moving
Before you roll your eyes reading that heading, I’m not talking about the corporate ice breakers or goofy baby shower games that most people try to avoid. Instead, you want to find family-fun games or winter activities that can be enjoyed by all your guests while helping them to warm up. The type of winter games to include will depend on your crowd. If you’re planning a family gathering, you should consider something fun for all ages, like a photo scavenger hunt or winter obstacle course.
However, if you’re planning a theme party with adults in mind, like a Superbowl Sunday party outdoors in the snow, you may want to stick to some fun sports games and activities.
Pro tip: Fresh snowfall is a great way to pad someone’s landing during a game of football outdoors!
Outdoor parties don’t have to be all games, activities, and planned events, but including a few as an option for those that need to warm up can be a welcome addition. The most amazing events consider the needs of all those attending before it becomes a problem while still being open and understanding that not all guests are interested in participating. Besides, if you look like you’re having a great time, you may be surprised by who chooses to join in!
Relax in a Hot Tub on a Crisp, Cold Evening
Of course, there are always those parties that stand out for their simplicity. One favorite party that I remember fondly didn’t involve fancy decorations or elaborate activities. We had food available in a sheltered seating area, and outdoors there was a bonfire and a hot tub where we could relax, hang out, and truly appreciate the winter wonderland around us. After all, what’s the point in hosting an outdoor winter party if you’re not going to embrace the fact that it’s winter?
It may not be the most feasible option for large family gatherings, but it is a great way to kick back, celebrate the season and enjoy some simple weekend entertainment with friends. Just be prepared with a backup plan in the event of bad weather!
Embrace a Winter-Friendly Dress Code
It’s not uncommon to see mention of dress codes for fancier indoor events, like black-tie galas or weddings, but what about outdoor parties? You can encourage your friends to dress for the weather with a winter-friendly suggestion on your party invitation.
Embrace the colder weather by encouraging everyone to rock their winter gear, including warmer sweaters and jackets, winter hats, and scarves. After all, no one will have fun if they are too focused on the fact that they are freezing.
Be the Talk of the Neighborhood This Year by Throwing an Epic Winter Garden Party
By incorporating ways to stay warm and fun party supplies, you can turn your outdoor space into the party of the century, giving your neighbors something to talk about for years to come. Outdoor parties are a great way to embrace the beauty of the winter months while also encouraging family and friends to get outside and get some much-needed fresh air when many of us are hiding indoors.
Whether you’re looking for a solution for fun family holiday events or planning a fun birthday celebration, your backyard is the place to be!
