Six Ways to Use Your Fire Pit This Winter
It is time to highlight one of the best features in Central Florida backyards that often get overlooked, the faithful fire pits. In this article we will highlight six fun ways to use your fire pit this season.
We hope these ideas inspire you to make your outdoor space a space for new memories, fun, and creative inspiration.
1. Kebab Night: Use your outdoor living space to host an interactive dinner near your fire pit. Kebabs can be a perfect complement to your fire pit. If you have an outdoor kitchen, you can use the space to prepare the various veggies and toppings for your kebabs. Have guests create their own custom kebabs and bring them near the fire pit along with their favorite beverage for some fun conversation while your kebabs cook around the fire.
2. S’mores and more: Fire pits are the ultimate place for s’mores. If you have a fire pit, s’mores nights can most definitely be a tradition at your house. How about gourmet s’mores night? Have family and friends bring unique ingredients to add to your classic concoctions. Salted caramel s’mores? Flavored chocolates? Minty s’mores? The possibilities are endless. You could even host an annual Top Chef s’mores competition.
3. Cocoa and Charades: Most of us equate the holiday season with at least one cup of hot cocoa as part of the festivities. How about hosting a fun night of hot cocoa and charades near the fire pit. Step it up a notch and holiday themed movies to your charades list for an extra festive evening in the fresh air by the cozy fire. Have extra marshmallows from the hot cocoa? Roast them right there on the fire!
4. Starry Starry Night: There is only one place where you can take the time to look up and enjoy the beauty of the moon and the infinite amount of stars in the sky and that is outside. If you have a nice space outdoors with a fire pit, why not use that space to host a night of stargazing with your friends and family. You don’t need a fancy telescope to enjoy an evening under the stars. If you have one of course bring it out—how exciting! You can simply sit by the fire-pit and meditate under the stars. Now, if you do want to make an official star gazing party you can bring binoculars, print constellation maps, and bring out blankets and fun cushions for a night under the stars.
5. Karaoke: If you have a karaoke machine, take it to the next level and host an outdoor karaoke night with seating arrangements near the cozy fire pit for a new memory with your guests. No karaoke machine? No problem, now we have so many new apps or even youtube videos that allow us to find the songs we are looking for an entertain in easy ways. According to a study in the psychology of music in 2005 published by Sage Journal, singing in a group “can produce satisfying and therapeutic sensations even when the sound produced by the vocal instrument is of mediocre quality.” Singing also helps elevate moods and increases our social bonding abilities. The goal is to have fun and practice letting loose. How lovely of a gift, to allow for your outdoor space to be a hub for well-being and fun.
6. Goal Setting Night: As we approach the new year, use your fire it as the perfect place for taking some time to set new intentions for the new year. Light up the beautiful fire, grab some blank pieces of paper, pens, and your favorite warm beverage, and gather around the pit. You can do this on your own or with family and friends. Use the time to sit and reflect over the fire. Upon reflection, use a sheet of paper to write down all the mistakes, issues, mental clutter that perhaps occurred during the year. Once you are ready, release that paper in the safest method possible. For some that might mean ripping the paper or throwing it away. Next, after a few deep breaths, welcome in love and fresh beginnings, and write down new things you would like to welcome in. New goals, new visions and ideas, new experiences. This is great for new years eve but can also be implemented as a personal or family practice on a monthly or even weekly basis around your fire pit.
There are so many fun ways to use your outdoor space to welcome others and have a great time. From fire pits to outdoor kitchens, US Aluminum is here to help you create your ideal space, contact U.S. Aluminum at 1-407-706-4017.