There are few things as appealing to all five senses as a backyard campfire. You can smell the wood, feel the heat, watch the flames, hear the crackling and taste the goodies either cooked over the fire or brought to enjoy on the side. Building one in your backyard has a convenience factor that just can’t be beaten. Here are a few tips to elevate your campfire experience from casual to cozy with just a little planning.
Gathering the Essentials
The last thing you want to spend your evening doing is running back and forth between your house and your firepit, so it is important to gather all the essentials to begin with so you can enjoy your backyard stay-cation experience. Every adventure has its necessities, whether you are heading for a 2022 Alaska cruise or hiking in the Rockies and here are some things you shouldn’t be without. Dry wood, firestarters or kindling, a flame source, blankets or chairs to sit on, a bucket of water or nearby hose and snacks. Safety should always be a consideration when creating an open flame, so having a way to extinguish the fire in case of an emergency is smart. Having all of these at your fireside gives you the makings of a great fire you can snuggle up next to while relaxing with a nighttime treat.
Lighting the Flame
The fire is the heart of the cozy campfire experience so it is first on the list of priorities. If you use matches, make sure to store them in a water-tight container when not in use, and to keep the lid secured to eliminate the possibility of them catching fire from sparks. Use a generous amount of kindling or a prepared fire starter cube. Then place your dry wood around the new flame with enough room to catch fire but not close enough to smother. Parallel or pyramid placement are both good options that can be added to easily as your flame builds.
Feeding the Mood
A backyard campfire is not complete without marshmallows or smores. Some people might even say it is not a cozy campfire until you have wiped the chocolate off your fingers. Hotdogs are also an easy snack you can put on a campfire skewer and cook right over the flame. If you are not comfortable cooking over the fire pit, make sure to bring munchies that can be passed around. There is something about watching a flame consume wood that makes people hungry and while you are snuggled up on your blanket or in your camping chair, you will inevitably crave salt or sugar. Having these on hand will keep you from getting up and spoiling the mood.
Playing in Firelight
The fire is blazing and the smores have been consumed. Now it is time for campfire stories or songs. These are what transform a night in your backyard from just a way to pass the time to what you will remember for years to come. Don’t be afraid to share the ghost story you heard at scout camp when you were nine years old. Odds are the family and friends with you now will not guess the ending. Ask what stories your company can share and take mental notes for future gatherings. An outdoor fire has the magic of turning any ordinary voice into star quality, so feel free to start a round of drunken sailor or your favorite sing-a-long and prepare to be amazed at how great you sound. Any kind of musical instrument is a welcome part of the cozy campfire and the neighbor who strums her guitar along with your four-year-old singing Old McDonald will be your new BFF.
A backyard campfire is an experience that can lead to wonderful connections and cherished memories. It doesn’t have to be expensive and elaborate. A little planning and thoughtfulness can add to the coziness of the warm atmosphere created by a dancing flame.