THE COOL CLUB
If you’d rather be snuggled up in your onesie and celebrating Bonfire Night at home this year, you’d be forgiven. After all, there’s something to be said for hosting the perfect night with all your home comforts to hand. Before you gather your friends and family for Bonfire Night celebrations, you’ll want to ensure you have everything you need to host a fantastic Bonfire Night party – so we’ve put together our top tips to help you along the way.
Set the scene with ice and glow sticks
With darker nights in full swing, accentuate the party vibe with colourful lighting. Here at The Ice Co, we’re fans of putting glow sticks in buckets of ice, illuminating our drinks and creating the perfect party vibe.
Dig out the Baileys
It’s never too early to dig out the Baileys, and Bonfire Night offers the perfect excuse to sup the creamy liqueur. Importantly, you’ll need lots of ice to make it go down well – Super Cubes make the ideal accompaniment.
Plan your firework display
The main attraction of the night may be your firework display. Whether you’re having full blown fireworks or giving a nod to the tradition with sparklers and glow sticks, it takes meticulous planning to make sure everyone is safe. Try and keep away from any flammable objects, shrubbery and tall grass, and make sure your guests are standing at a safe distance before you set off any fireworks.
Set your food and drink menu
Hosting the perfect Bonfire Night party is all about the company, but great food and drink can be the icing on the cake. If you’re having a fire, make the most of it by roasting marshmallows on skewers. You could even get out the BBQ and serve up some delicious food and drink pairings. Another of our Bonfire Night favourites is chargrilled bananas, perfect with chocolate spread or brown sugar!
Set up a Bonfire Night playlist
There are plenty of songs to add to the Bonfire Night playlist. Need some inspiration? Here’s a few suggestions to get you started:
- Firestarter by The Prodigy
- Hotter than Hell by Dua Lipa
- Light My Fire by The Doors
- I’m on Fire by Bruce Springsteen and;
- Firework, by Katy Perry.
Have some fun with cocktails
Hosting a Bonfire Night gathering offers the ideal opportunity to let your guests get creative and make their own cocktails. Choose a few you’d like to offer, gather the ingredients and write little ‘how to’ cards for your guests. They’ll have great fun playing bartender and could even learn some new skills in the process! For cocktail inspiration, check out our cocktail recipes here, and don’t forget to stock up on ice.
Stock up on supplies
Hosting a Bonfire Night gathering takes a lot of planning, and it’s easy to forget essentials. Some of the key elements you’ll want to stock up on include:
- Bagged ice
- Napkins and cutlery
- Glasses, cocktail shakers
- Non-alcoholic drink alternatives
- Limes and lemons
Be mindful of wildlife
Before lighting your bonfire or setting off fireworks, check to see that there is no wildlife in the area. Many small animals like hedgehogs, build their homes in piles of branches and can mistake your prelit fire as a place to nest. Before lighting your bonfire, move the pile of logs to wake up any small animals. You could even use a torch to check for any signs of life before you light it, and remember to only light one side so that there’s an escape route for any wildlife.
Have fun!
Although you’ll want to ensure a safe Bonfire Night gathering, the most important thing is to have fun! There’s nothing better than catching up with friends and family, and Bonfire Night is the perfect time to do it.
How are you celebrating Bonfire Night this year? Are you hosting at home? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram.
