Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know that the holidays are upon us. And you’re either thinking about how you want to celebrate or you’ve already made plans. Either way, may we suggest you consider your outdoor living space as a place to have your holiday parties this year? Using fire pits and fireplaces as a gathering place for guests is a long-time holiday tradition for Big Bend Landscaping families. We’d like to share some tips on how to do it.
Fire pit or Fire place?
You’ll have to think about your set up differently, depending on which you have. Both have pros and cons:
With a fireplace:
You sit primarily in front of it as opposed to around it, so you’ll need to think about how many rows you can add and where to put them so your guests can enjoy the fire.
The smoke is directed up and out of a chimney, so you don’t have to worry about your guests getting smoke in their faces. This means they can sit more closely to the fireplace than the fire pit.
Most fireplaces are placed at the edge of patios or outdoor living spaces. This makes setting up your entertainment areas and stations easy enough.
If you want to have entertainment like live music or storytelling or maybe even a speaker, you’ve got a readymade backdrop. It also makes it easier for someone to lead games like charades.
If you have a fire pit:
You gather all the way around a fire pit; therefore, setting up seating will be a snap.
Since everyone is facing one another, fire pits lend themselves to game playing and group discussions.
You’ll need to judge the proximity of seating to the fire pit to avoid too much smoke from hitting guests in the face, but not so far that they can’t enjoy the warmth.
Wood burning fire pits are great for grilling shish kabobs, cooking marshmallows, and—let’s face it—poking at with sticks (it’s a human nature thing).
Comfort And Ambiance
The key to successful outdoor holiday celebrations is comfort and ambiance.
Ambiance is created by using the right decorations and lighting. Consider stringing battery powered twinkle lights or vintage looking lights in your trees or around the edge of your pavilion or even your privacy fence. Put up a fun Christmas tree decorated with edible treats or simple vintage—looking decorations. Stringing popcorn or beads as garland can be fun for kids and adults alike.
Comfort is about good seating and a warm, crackling fire. And proximity of that crackling fire to food and drink is important. Arranging your gathering around a fire pit or fireplace, especially if it’s chilly and dark, means considering the distance between hot drink stations and the source of heat.
And food— emphasis on good food—is important. You might find lots of wonderful bargain store, thrift-store decorations for your outdoor celebrations (vintage Christmas party, anyone?) and save lots of money there. But food and drink? Don’t compromise on that. There are so many ideas for easy-to-prepare dishes and drinks that lend themselves well to outdoor celebrations. And if you want to keep it even simpler, stews, heavy soups, and chilis are actually great Christmas foods. They’re warm, one pot dishes that are sure to please any crowd. Just put the crock pot (or crock pots) on the table and run an extension cord (behind everything, please) over to plug them into, provide crackers or chips, and thick bowls, and you’ve got a crowd pleaser!
Serving And Activity Stations
When using fire pits and fireplaces as gathering places or focal points for your holiday gathering, you’ll need to consider proximity and easy access. Just set up tables with food, drink, and activities (especially if there are children on your guest list) placed near the fire pit or fire place.
Craft tables are fun. So are simple games that everyone can play without sitting at a table.
pleasant seating
Comfortable seating is welcoming. Guests won’t stay long if they don’t feel welcome. And if we’re talking about using fire pits and fireplaces as a focal point, this is especially important. You have a lot of choices here-folding chairs, lawn furniture or seating walls, all of which come in different sizes and shapes.
Some seating walls are backless and double as retaining walls. Some look more like benches made of pavers and include backs and armrests. They can encircle a patio or a fire pit or fire place. Seating walls are a great addition to any outdoor living space—they are sturdy and last for years and years. You never have to worry about them rotting or growing brittle. They are a popular choice for people who enjoy spending time in their yard. Big Bend Landscaping builds a lot of these for our customers with outdoor living spaces.
For holiday gatherings, we recommend attractive cushions and lap blankets to create a cozy atmosphere and an extra layer of warmth. You can leave them in the seats or in a central location for guests to grab as they need them. Inexpensive throws in holiday colors are a nice touch too.
dreaming about using fire pits and fireplaces for your next holiday gathering, but don’t have one?
We understand completely! It may be a bit late for us to build one for you before Christmas this year, BUT! If you’ll get on our list asap, we can build you one in time for next fall (heck, probably in time for next summer!).
There’s never been a better time to call Big Bend Landscaping to talk with us about fire pits and fire places and which one works best for you. These builds are a big part of what we do. We build fire pits and fire places that are attractive and safe, using only fireproof materials—metal, special fireproof brick and pavers. Big Bend Landscaping relies on excellent companies like Belgard, Romanstone, BP, and Pavestone because their pavers are covered by five-year guarantees.
We can help you create something special that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Just give us a call!
Our company has over 60 five-star reviews on Google and an A+ rating with the BBB. We are experts in our field and we make sure our crews are too! Our crews have a Level 1 certification from the National Concrete and Masonry Association. Check out our testimonials to see what our customers want you to know. We serve St. Louis metro, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Glendale, Ballwin, Chesterfield, Des Peres, Fenton and the outlying areas.
When we come out to visit with you, we will ask you questions and provide a CAD drawing to ensure that our vision matches yours. From the time you say yes, we handle everything—from permits to subcontractors, if needed — all you have to do is sit back and watch. Our crews are on time—every-time—and you can count on quality workmanship. We only use the best materials from companies that offer lifetime guarantees.
Big Bend Landscaping knows how to help you make the most of your home and yard. When you’re ready to talk about your patio, walkway, or any other outdoor feature, check out our website for more details and contact us for more information!
Ready For Your Own Fire Pit?
Now that you know how fire pits work, you probably want more information. You’ve come to the right place! There’s never been a better time to call Big Bend Landscaping to talk with us about fire pits and the type that works best for you. Fire Pit installations are a big part of what we do. We can help you create something special that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Just give us a call.
Our company has over 60 five-star reviews on Google and an A+ rating with the BBB. We are experts in our field and we make sure our crews are too! Our crews have a Level 1 Certification from the National Concrete and Masonry Association. Check out our testimonials to see what our customers want you to know. We serve St. Louis metro, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Glendale, Ballwin, Chesterfield, Des Peres, Fenton and the outlying areas.
When we come out to visit with you, we will ask you questions and provide a CAD drawing to ensure that our vision matches yours. From the time you say yes, we handle everything—from permits to subcontractors, if needed — all you have to do is sit back and watch. Our crews are on time—every-time—and you can count on quality workmanship. We only use the best materials from companies that offer lifetime guarantees.
Big Bend Landscaping knows how to help you make the most of your home and yard. When you’re ready to talk about your patio, walkway, or any other outdoor feature, check out our website for more details and contact us for more information!