It’s the party season once again. As we approach Christmas and the New Year, it is usually the time when people open their homes to friends and family and celebrate in style. It’s a season of roaring log fires, steaming glasses of mulled wine, and excessive quantities of delicious food. We usually associate these parties with warmth and coziness, but things are a little different this year. We are having to think of other ideas, like throwing an outdoor party in Winter.
We are living in the aftermath of a global pandemic, and the idea of cramming dozens of people into your home is not as appealing as it once was. You may live with vulnerable people or just not want to run the risk of infection this close to Christmas. It’s understandable then that you might want to forego your usual festive shindig in favour of a more sedate time of reflection and celebration.
Image Source – Pixabay
But there is another option available to you. It has been shown that coronavirus does not spread so easily in outdoor environments, so a gathering of loved ones in your backyard will be a lot safer than an indoor celebration. You and your guests can enjoy yourselves and make merry with the peace of mind that you are being as safe as you possibly can.
You might be concerned that it’s not the right time of year for an al fresco party. Will your guests really want to brave the snow and ice to stand outside for several hours? Surely that will result in people making excuses and leaving early for their nice warm homes. But as long as you set expectations and come well prepared, there is no reason why your outdoor gathering can’t be just as good as, if not better than, an inside one. If done right, it will be a memorable occasion. A winter party outdoors is far more unique and memorable than a generic dinner party or an evening of drinks. Just make sure it is memorable for the right reasons.
To help you get it right and make sure your guests are warm and happy, here are seven tips for throwing an outdoor party in winter.
Set expectations
An outdoor party in winter can be a great idea, but only if your guests know what to expect. The last thing you want is people turning up to your home expecting a cozy evening by the fire, only to discover they’ll be standing outside in short sleeves and bare legs for the next four hours. Be upfront about the nature of your party when you send out invitations, and offer suggestions for the types of clothes guests will be wearing. Make it clear that they will not be going inside except to use the bathroom and explain your reasons for the decision. Once they understand that it is for safety reasons then it will all make sense.
Follow up with your guests in the days leading up to the party, either by text or by phone, to confirm their attendance and make sure they are going to come prepared. Make sure you highlight the fun element of the outdoor party so they are excited and eager to attend. By laying the groundwork early on, you ensure everyone will turn up to your home as happy as possible.
Check the weather forecast
Even in the heart of winter there can be good weather days. Scrutinize the forecast obsessively in the days leading up to your party and keep an eye out for rain, snow, high winds, or extremely cold temperatures. Try to be as flexible as possible with the arrangements. If things aren’t looking good, you might have to consider changing the time or the date. You want your party to be enjoyable for everyone, so there’s no need to force people to stand in the pouring rain for hours on end as their extremities become increasingly numb.
How To Keep Guests Warm at an Outdoor Party
Provide spare clothes
No matter how much you hammer home the details, there will always be someone who turns up fully unprepared for an outdoor gathering. To save your guests from suffering in silence, it would be a good idea to have some spare coats, gloves, and winter hats handy just in case one of your guests is lacking. This forethought will prevent unprepared people from leaving due to the cold, and will also make you look like a considerate and generous host.
You could also invest in additional accessories to keep your guests warm while sitting round outside. Providing plenty of blankets and cushions on your outdoor furniture can help people stay cozy long into the evening.
Start a fire
You don’t want your guests to merely be tolerating the cold. You want them to be comfortable and happy. That’s why it’s essential to have some fire in your celebration to heat things up. Fire pits are becoming increasingly common in household gardens, as they are both attractive, functional, and easy to use. They come in all shapes and sizes, with plenty of different designs and materials from which to choose. And the best bit is, it not only keeps them warm, but will act as a conversation starter and a focal point for people to gather and mingle.
A firepit is simply a large receptacle you have in your garden in which you build a fire. Make sure you have collected plenty of firewood before the party, and have somewhere safe and dry to store it so it doesn’t get damp. You’ll need a huge supply of wood, as the guests will likely want to sit around the fire all evening.
If you don’t have a firepit or aren’t willing to spend the money, you could instead consider going native.. If you have the space in your garden, and don’t mind scorching a patch of earth then you could build your own fire from scratch. Ask your guests to help you gather firewood, an activity that always goes down well with young children.
Invest in a patio heater
If you’re concerned about fire safety or don’t have the space for everyone to gather around a single fire, you might also consider investing in a patio heater. These devices are one of the best patio accessory ideas for any garden. They are usually fueled by propane and can either be freestanding, tabletop, or hanging. Consider which variety, shape and size is suitable for your garden.
Check List
- Start with a warm “base camp”: Put seating close together, out of wind, ideally under a gazebo/marquee with side panels or windbreaks (tarps, screens, fences, hedges).
- Heat sources (safest + most effective):
- Patio heaters (gas/electric) spaced around the edges, not in walkways
- Fire pit/chiminea for “gather round” warmth (plus ambience)
- Hot water bottles or microwave heat packs in a basket for guests to grab
- Layer-friendly comfort: Provide a “borrow box” with blankets, spare scarves, gloves, and thick socks (cheap multipacks work great).
- Warm from the inside: Serve hot drinks (tea/coffee/hot chocolate) and one hot option all evening (soup, chilli, jacket potatoes, sausages, toasted sandwiches).
- Keep people moving: Quick games (ring toss, trivia, scavenger hunt) or a short “toast + group photo” moment to stop everyone sitting still too long.
- Feet + seating matter most: Add outdoor rugs/mats, seat cushions, and avoid metal chairs (they get icy fast).
- Lighting that adds warmth: String lights + lanterns + LED candles make it feel warmer (and keeps people clustered).
- Plan for damp (especially UK): Have a covered area, towel by the door, and keep blankets in a lidded box so they stay dry.
- Clear “warm-up option”: Let guests know they can pop inside for 5 minutes if needed – people stay longer when they don’t feel trapped outside.
Prepare comfort foods
One of the best ways to keep your guests warm and cozy is to fill them with delicious comfort foods and warming drinks. Allowing them to cook their own food over the fire is a fun activity that people of all ages can enjoy, and keeps them warm while they are at it. Just make sure you brief people about fire safety and keep a watchful eye out for any hazards. Hot drinks like mulled wine and hot chocolates always go down a treat and will put everybody in the Christmas spirit.
What to Wear to an Outdoor Party in Winter (Checklist)
The goal
Stay warm without feeling bulky by dressing in layers you can add/remove.
Base layer (next to skin)
- Thermal long-sleeve top (merino or heat-tech style)
- Thermal leggings/tights (especially if wearing a dress or skirt)
- Warm socks (wool blend is best)
Mid layer (insulation)
- Jumper or fleece
- Cardigan you can keep on indoors too
- Optional: thin down gilet/vest under your coat for extra warmth
Outer layer (wind + rain protection)
- A proper winter coat (puffer, wool coat, or insulated parka)
- If it might be wet: a waterproof layer or coat with a hood
- Optional: scarf/shawl that doubles as a wrap blanket
Bottoms (pick one)
- Jeans or trousers (thicker fabric is warmer)
- Thermal-lined leggings
- Dress/skirt + thermal tights (look nice and stay warm)
Shoes (warm + practical)
- Ankle boots or winter boots (closed-toe)
- Thick socks (consider a second pair if it’s very cold)
- Avoid: thin flats, open shoes, or anything that’ll get damp easily
Accessories that make the biggest difference
- Hat/beanie (you lose a lot of heat from your head)
- Gloves or mittens (touchscreen ones are handy)
- Scarf/neck warmer
- Hand warmers (pocket warmers) if you’ll be outside for hours
Outfit ideas (quick picks)
- Casual: thermal top + jumper + jeans + boots + puffer coat + beanie
- Smart-casual: knit dress + thermal tights + ankle boots + wool coat + scarf
- Extra-cold: base layers + fleece + insulated parka + lined leggings + winter boots + gloves
Handy extras to bring
- Compact umbrella (if rain is possible)
- Lip balm + hand cream (cold air dries fast)
- Hair ties/clips (wind-proofing)
- A spare layer in the car (cardigan, scarf, or extra socks)
Roundup – How To Host a Winter Party
- Pick a date/time that avoids the coldest hours (late afternoon/early evening)
- Create a wind/rain plan (gazebo/marquee, side panels, covered “warm-up” spot)
- Add heat: patio heaters + fire pit/chiminea (safe spacing, clear walkways)
- Make it cosy: blankets basket, cushions, outdoor rugs, grouped seating
- Serve hot food + hot drinks all night (soup/chilli/jacket potatoes; tea/coffee/hot choc/mulled drinks)
- Use good lighting (string lights/lanterns) so people naturally gather together
- Keep guests moving with simple games/music/photo moment
- Sort practicalities: extra bins, somewhere for wet coats, hand towels, lip balm/hand cream
- Communicate the vibe: “Dress warm – boots + layers” on the invite
- Have a cut-off / indoor fallback if the weather turns (or end with a warm dessert inside)
Stay safe
In conclusion, there is no reason you can’t throw a successful outdoor party in the dead of winter. Just make sure your number one focus is on keeping guests warm through whatever means necessary.