The fifth of November is one of the most exciting nights of the year in the UK. It’s a chance to go out and celebrate the night with fireworks, sparklers, and mulled wine. However, if you’re planning a bonfire night party of your own, it can be challenging to know how to get started.
Is there something specific that you need to celebrate? In which case, does that mean that you need to consider things like gifts alongside drinks and refreshments? What kind of fireworks are you going to buy, and what sort of food are you going to serve? Here are some top tips to get you started.
1. Make Sure Everyone Knows What to Bring
The first thing you should do when planning your Bonfire night party is make sure that everyone knows what’s expected from this big event. If you’re planning on exchanging gifts, then your loved ones need to know this in advance. Don’t spring presents on your guests last minute, or this could leave them feeling inadequate.
It might also be helpful to inform your loved ones if they need to bring their own blankets to keep them warm outside, their own sparklers, or even their own booze to the party. If you’re spending a fortune on fireworks, it’s fine to ask other people to chip in.
2. Have Something to Do Besides a Fireworks Display
Fireworks are obviously the heart and soul of bonfire night. However, the unfortunate truth is that even if you spend hundreds on fireworks, you’re going to run out very quickly. That means that all your friends might only be at your party for an hour or so. Alternatively, you can keep everyone entertained with some extra entertainment.
Create a music playlist so you can dance the night away before the big fireworks extravaganza. Consider hosting a (safe) bonfire or asking people to bring marshmallows that they can toast. You could even go a step further and create your own toffee apple station.
3. Make Sure You Have a Safe Seating Area
If you only have a tiny garden, then it might not be safe to host a bonfire night celebration where everyone needs to be gathered around the fireworks in a closed space. Instead, you need to make sure that your loved ones can sit a good distance away from where the fireworks are going to go off.
Make sure your seating area is as comfortable as possible, with plenty of cushions and blankets. Since it can get pretty cold in the UK, it might even be worth getting a fire pit going to keep your friends toasty or getting a few portable heaters that you can bring with you into the garden when the display begins.
4. Have a Set of Rules
Whether you’re just inviting adults to your bonfire party, or this is an event for the whole family, it’s important to have a certain set of rules for everyone to follow. Start by making sure everyone knows when they need to be away from the fireworks station. Additionally, ensure that nobody handles fireworks after they’ve been drinking.
If other parents are coming and you’re dealing with things like open flames and sparklers, let mums and dads know that they’re responsible for their own children. You can’t be expected to handle the fireworks, host the party, and look after all of the kids at once, after all.
5. Get the Decorations Right
Décor is one of the most exciting parts of hosting any party. You can choose virtually any theme that you like for your bonfire party. However, it’s a good idea to avoid anything that’s going to be overly bright. While fairy lights and the soft glow of a fire pit is fine, you don’t want LED spotlights everywhere. Remember that the brighter it is in your garden, the harder it will be to see the fireworks.
Stick to simple decorations and remember that your guests probably aren’t going to be paying as much attention to your bunting as they do to the fireworks themselves. It might be worth decorating inside of your house as well as outside, particularly, if you plan on spending a portion of the party indoors.
Have a Blast
Bonfire parties can be a fantastic way to spend a special occasion with your loved ones. Just make sure to put safety first and have fun. Don’t get too stressed about preparation. Enjoy the experience.