Cold temperatures are unavoidable during the winter. Whether your winterised homestead has to deal with heavy blankets of snow or just a tinge of cold in the air, it’s vital that you keep temperatures in mind when preparing for activities with family and friends. Thankfully, the inspiration you need to enjoy the winter months while staying warm is rather easy to find. 

A Thing or Two

Who says protecting your patio can’t be fun? A simple pragmatic project is a great way to spend time with your family and knock out any last minute preparations for the cold season ahead. By doing so, you can delegate the grunt work that comes with providing protection to your outdoor living area and teach your kids a thing or two about responsibility along the way.

Hot to Trot

With patio prep out of the way, you can treat your helping hands to a warm winter treat. There’s no beverage that says “winter” more than hot chocolate. Indulging in a cup of hot chocolate is the perfect way to welcome winter in the sweetest way possible.

Why not make an occasion celebrating the season’s favorite beverage? Set up a do-it-yourself hot chocolate bar in the backyard using a card table, a slow cooker for keeping the cocoa warm, and even a coffee station. You can even serve the cocoa in cups personalised to commemorate the occasion.

A toppings bar is nothing short of essential, so be sure to have a variety of serving bowls and spoons available so your guests can personalise their hot chocolate with ease. Once everyone has had the chance to customise their mug of joy with marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup, pull off the sofa covers and cozy up for the night.

The Pajama Game

Whether you prefer traditional button up flannels, super warm fleeces, or the winter onesies of your childhood, everyone agrees that a cold winter evening spent relaxing in your most comfortable pajamas is as good as a night can get.

Gather your family (maybe even some friends) and get your cozy on with a winter wonderland pajama party. Don your favorite jammies and spend the evening building pillow forts, baking cookies, and playing board games. Want to take your pajama game to the next level? Order matching PJs for everyone.

Set up some sleeping bags in and around the pillow fort for when you all decide it’s time for some shut-eye. Wrap it all up by setting an early alarm so you can take in the next morning’s sunrise with the added warmth of some blankets and a hot coffee station set up on your porch bench covers. 

Star Power

Backyard stargazing is a unique activity that you and your family can enjoy even in the winter months – as long as you take the right precautions. Astronomy experts have confirmed that the winter months provide fantastic star visibility, meaning you can enjoy breathtaking nighttime views all season long.

Preparing for an evening under the stars starts with checking the week’s forecast. Be sure to choose a clear night with no chance of rain or snow. On the day of, spend some time removing sofa covers and setting up a comfortable viewing spot filled with blankets, pillows, and coats for the whole family. 

Keep warm snuggled on the sofa while waiting for night to fall with the help of an outdoor heater. Then enjoy all the wonders of the night sky, from Alpha Centauri to the Milky Way. Who knows? You may even stay up until the sun rises! (Note: when stargazing time is over, be sure to unplug and cover your heater with a machine cover)

Backyard Picture Show

Bring the magic of the movies right to your backyard with a DIY cineplex that’s screening all of your family and friend’s favorite flicks. Whether you have an outdoor TV set up or you’re planning on going the DIY route with the help of a projector and custom tarps, keeping your moviegoers warm should be your first priority.

Setting up your cineplex screen is surprisingly simple. String a rope through the tarp’s grommets on the top and bottom edges. You can hang your tarp screen from tree branches or deck supports, while the bottom edge should be anchored in the ground with the help of stakes or held fast by weights on the deck.

Outdoor heaters and fire pits are the clearest solutions for keeping movie night guests warm, but there are a number of out of the box ideas you can integrate to prevent any cold snaps:

• A weatherproof outdoor rug will add some much-needed insulation to an ice-cold patio floor, keeping toes warm and toasty all night long. 
• Serving hot and hearty snacks and drinks such as mulled cider or miniature pizzas is a simple way to get your guests warmed up while they enjoy a flick.
• On the invitations, encourage your guests to come wearing their coziest sweaters and winter accessories for your evening of cinematic festivity, and be sure to have extra hats, scarves, and mittens on hand for backup coziness.

End of Fall Wrap-up

The most basic point of care for your outdoor patio is one of the easiest feats to accomplish with a few extra pairs of hands. Covering your wood pile or other sundry items with custom tarps can protect them all from the exterior elements of winter. You can even cover your entire patio and put it into a safe hibernation!

Start by measuring your patio to gauge the idea of what size tarp you will need. As you measure, be sure to add a few extra meters at the end to account for any errors in your initial sizing. This will also allow you to properly secure the tarp in place for a snug fit.

With your custom tarp in tow, you can utilize the manpower of your family. Simply spread the tarp across the surface area of your patio, evenly aligning it to the measurements the best you can. Have your family verify that everything is fitting nicely.

Finally, securely fasten the tarp with weatherproof rope or staking it directly into the ground. These methods of tying your tarp down help to make certain that it doesn’t shift in the coming winter months.