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An outdoor Xmas BBQ might not be traditional, but it offers something different for an intimate experience. With the people you care about in the dark and reasonable warmth, you can have a Christmas to remember as the mulled wine flows, with the right patio upgrades, of course.
Electricals to Keep People Warm
The whole point of an outdoor BBQ for Christmas is to experience something different. However, winter is cold, of course, and it really helps to keep your guests warm if you don’t want people in and out of the house. Electrical wholesalers like Meteor Electrical have tons of products for such an occasion. When sprucing up the patio, you can install various appliances such as parasol heaters, wall-mounted heaters and even heated flooring under the decking!
Outdoor Xmas BBQ Lighting
A UK survey found that 71% of people have cooked turkey on a BBQ on Christmas day. Admit it, you’re surprised! To elevate your Xmas BBQ, create the right ambience with LED lighting:
String LEDs can be placed almost anywhere and are great for wrapping around trees.
Battery-powered LEDs add some flair and ambience to a table dressing.
You can use an electrician to wire in outdoor lamp features for your garden.
Clever use of lighting can add something special to any occasion. With the shorter days in winter, lighting adds a touch of elegance to your party that enhances the mood and spirits.
How About a Traditional Fire Pit?
There’s something primal and attractive about sitting in front of an open fire. Any BBQ party worth talking about has a fire pit. Fire pits are easy to build and even easier to buy. They don’t cost much, and guests love throwing another log on the fire! Additionally, the kids can roast marshmallows and hot dogs under strict adult supervision, of course. And when the sun goes down, and the moon shows up, there’s nothing like creepy stories and a singalong by a fire!
Move the Grill Closer to Your House
There are some adjustments you will have to make to ensure your BBQ goes off without a hitch. Moving the grill closer to the house makes things a little easier. Guests don’t have to venture out too far in the cold. And you can grab anything you need from the kitchen without traversing all the garden obstacles in the dark! Of course, check the wind direction first. You don’t want all the BBQ smoke blowing into the home, or you will be smelling it well into the New Year!
Outdoor Xmas BBQ Weatherproofing
In Britain, the average rainfall in winter has increased 301.82 mm in 1961 to 346. 98 mm in 2020. And knowing UK luck, it will probably rain on Christmas, even though rain on this day is rare. Then there’s snow and wind. So, consider practical garden solutions for your BBQ space.
Awnings and shades
As simple as they are, awnings and shades are excellent at their job. Shading could be as important in winter as in summer, as UV rays are still strong, but you can also keep the rain off.
Erecting a pergola
For something a little more elegant, a pergola is a stunning addition to a patio or decking space. You can cover or uncover them, and they look amazing when adorned with LED lights.
BBQ coverings
Of course, the BBQ and grill are the pride and joy of any discerning grill master. But they don’t fare well under bad weather. BBQs rust and get dirty. So buy a decent cover to keep them safe.
Maybe it will snow, maybe it will rain, or perhaps there will be wind. Either way, some minor investments can help your BBQ go off without too much disruption should the weather kick-off.
Invest in Comfortable Furniture
People will need somewhere comfy to sit as they enjoy a Christmas dinner outside. We have covered heating and protecting guests from the weather. But they also need a place to park their butts! The old plastic chairs you’ve had since before the kids were born are okay for you. But if you want to wow your guests, there need to be some changes. New garden furniture made from rattan, wicker or bamboo can make a huge difference to personal comfort.
Create a BBQ Workspace
There will be a lot to do when cooking meals on a grill for Christmas. Vegetables can be roasted, and, of course, meats are divine when grilled outdoors. But for these to work, you need the right utensils and space. Before going ahead and inviting everyone around, spruce up the BBQ area. This doesn’t need to be expensive, and just a few surfaces will do. But having space to cook food on the fly will make a big difference, reducing the stress you might be under.
A Cosy Outdoor Xmas BBQ Experience
An average Xmas dinner costs around £30 in the UK. Of course, this increases with more people. But an intimate BBQ experience with people close to you goes a little further:
Add tons of cushions and throws to anything anyone can sit on.
Create a separate, comfy space for people who like to smoke outdoors.
Place wireless Bluetooth speakers around to play chilled or Christmas music.
Thinking of ways to elevate the comfort of the experience as a whole will help create a cosy space. Warmth, inspiration, and creativity will ensure that people want to stay for the day.
Create an Outdoor Kitchen
If you have the space to spruce up the BBQ area, that’s great. A few surfaces and a cupboard will help make the overall experience much easier. But what’s better? An outdoor kitchen, that’s what! A built-in kitchen as a BBQ extension will elevate how you approach the entire preparation and cooking of amazing Xmas food outdoors. Running water helps keep things clean on the fly and steams food. Yet utensil storage means no dashing indoors. And what about a pizza oven?
Summary
Keeping people warm with electricals such as parasol heaters will transform your patio for an amazing outdoor Xmas BBQ. You can also weatherproof with installations such as pergolas. An outdoor kitchen means you can cook like a master with minimal stress and interruption.