Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link. Further more, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Burrr, it’s starting to get chilly outside. Have you ever wanted to gather friends and family to enjoy the cool night air, extending the outdoor entertaining season. Well, good news ~ you can! We have all the tips and tricks and product reviews to help plan a great night under the stars and blankets.
Set the scene
The weather is a crisp 50° with clear skies and the sun is starting to set. You have the fire wood near the fire pit. Adirondack chairs surround that very fire pit, with blankets thrown over them. You have extra long skewers, marshmellows, chocolate bars and graham crackers on a tray. Your friends are set to arrive in a few minutes and you take a moment to envision the fun that will ensue.
Now, let’s back it up a couple weeks. The weather reports are starting to predict cooler temperatures in the evenings. You get the idea to host your friends, maybe some family, to gather outside to enjoy a warm beverage a gooey, sweet treat and a cozy fire.
You put your planning hat on, wondering what will you need for this fabulous night under the stars. Well, look no further. We have you covered.
Fire Pits
The fire pit is the center of your celebration on a cool, fall evening so it’s important to find one that works for you. Some features to keep in mind when choosing a fire pit include, but are not limited to: size, fuel source (think wood vs. gas), included screen, shape, availability and price. We have found a few to choose from that fall into different categories so you can pick the one that is just right for you.
Here are several gas fire pits. Click on the photos for more information, 2 of them are on sale!
Here are a few wood burning fire pits. Make sure that you have a way to put out the fire with these! As stated before, click on the photo for more information and to order.
Seating
Once you have the fire pit taken care of, you will need to consider seating. While you can use anything that you feel will be comfortable for your guests, an Adirondack chair is the classic option. We have found some options that fit for different style/looks and price points. Keep in mind you could also you poufs, benches or camping chairs if they are more your style or budget.
There are a couple different chair back styles for the Adirondack chair. We have shared 2 of them here. Again, click directly on the photo for more information.
Blankets and Pillows
You can cozy up your space with blankets and pillows on your chairs. Have you ever sat outside by a fire? Your front might be warmed by the flames, but your backside feels left out. Couple that with the slats in the chairs and you will be so glad to have a blanket and/or pillow to soften the seat and warm it, too!
Warm Drinks
A warm drink is always a good idea on a cold night. Gather some insulated cups so your beverages don’t cool off too quickly. You can even ask your guests to bring their own. Want to keep with a theme? We found some options for you and some beverage recipes to impress even your picky people.
Smore’s Supplies
What is a night by the fire pit without smore’s?! Classic smore’s are made with roasted and toasted marshmallows, a section of a chocolate bar and graham crackers to hold it all together.
ETC.
Some other ideas to complete your evening are games, stories and music. Here is a quick roundup of games that are fun to have near a fire pit.
To keep the conversation going, I found this list of questions on RecklessRoaming.com. May we suggest you print them, cut them into strips and put in a hat/bucket/bowl. Pass it around and have each person originate a question. If you are feeling really creative, you can come up with your own questions. Either way, this is a great opportunity to get to know your friends better and share a belly laugh.
A party isn’t complete with some music in the background. As a matter of fact, I bet you can name a few songs that have been in the background of many of your favorite events. If you don’t have a playlist at the ready, you can use one of ours. Click here to go to our Spotify.
