to throw a winter BBQ party?

[flatbread]

We are FINALLY getting the renovation of our South of France completed. It has taken five long, painful years! We also have our 15th wedding anniversary in December. So, I suggested to DH, why not have a nice winter BBQ around 17th or 18th of December?

OH thinks it is a very bad idea and we should wait till summer. I think it is brilliant because-
*The people who come will be ones who want to celebrate with us, and not just looking for a free holiday (as will probably be the case in summer)

• It can get very cold, but people will be expecting the worst weather-wise (it can get down to minus 7), so any sunshine can only be a bonus. Unlike summer where people are expecting sun and may instead get rain on the planned day.
  *There is something very naughty and celebratory about a winter BBQ, and frankly after a few glasses of wine, how cold will people feel in any case?

We would be inviting 50 or so guests, around 35 would be from overseas. The celebration will cost us a fair bit, so really want to make it a success!

AIBU and just plain mad to consider an outdoor BBQ in winter?

Thanks all. Seriously, I wouldn't consider this without all your support. And I will plan for perhaps 20 guests out of the 50 invitees, keeping in mind what everyone has pointed out regarding the proximity to Christmas.

It will be a sit down meal and I will lay out three or four tables in the garden, with vintage tablecloths and dinner sets that I have never used from our wedding stash and a small decoration of silver pine cones with tea lights. Each table will get the meal family style, iyswim, so not restaurant type individual portions.

This is the menu I am considering to accommodate meat eaters and veggies- any thoughts?

Nibbles - nuts, crisps, cheese sticks and hot mulled wine

Starter - carrot and artichoke soups with garlic croutons, served with warm fig/walnut rolls and butter. Served with a lovely, dry white wine

Second - bbq spit roasted whole chickens, sweet and sour grilled 'salad' of pumpkin and portabello mushrooms, bbq potatoes and roquefort sauce. Accompanied by a light red wine

Main - spanish lamb stew, vegetable and chickpea ratatouille, saffron rice. Served with a hearty red wine from the region.

Cheese platter with grilled bread and chutneys. Served with champagne

Dessert - grilled pineapples/bananas with rum and a chocolate gateau. Continue with champagne

Coffee, Irish coffee and port

Does it sound ok?

Also, on the invites is it ok to mention that it is our anniversary and housewarming celebration? I don't want people to think they need to get us a gift, but if we don't mention it, people may not make the effort to come...what do you think?

Sounds great.

I think you need to mention the food reason as an incentive.

If it were mr I'd go with the culinary tradition of the region, it's pretty good :)

I've got my bag packed.

Sounds great - yes, do mention the specialness of the twin occasions - and do make it clear you need firm responses as this is a special day for you.

If you don't want gifts other than their presence, just say so. Which I think would actually be a nice touch.

We'll be there sounds great. Love something a bit different in the winter.

Lots of warm clothes, great for guests who don't have to buy a posh frock or the expense of a summer holiday.

We tend to do a winter bbq / bonfire night thing here and its always outside. Like previous posters have mentioned bringing the indoors out. Loads of rugs, big campfire sounds fab. Kids will have a ball- brilliant time rather than football I meant.

Diddle, thanks

worry, the regional food - foie gras and cassoulet - will definitely keep people warm! But, I do find it just a bit bland and heavy. We could do duck instead of chicken for the second, but then duck and lamb are both quite meaty, and not sure if that will be to everyone's taste.

Your point is a good one and maybe it is enough if all the wine [except for the champs, obviously] is regional, the local plonk is really good and not that well-known outside the area

Linerunner, if I write 'no presents please' in the invite, will people think we are being presumptuous in assuming that people are planning to bring gifts .

To be honest, i usually find it a bit tacky to mention the occasion when we invite people around for a meal, but usually we just do simple dinner parties and let people know it is a birthday or whatever once they have arrived and we pop the champagne .

I wouldn't do foie gras, but it's up to you.

You know your potential guests best and you have to balance actually getting them there with being your honest and unaffected selves. So, 'The only present we would want is your being there,' sounds ok to me.

Yes, sounds perfect. Just let us know when you would like us to arrive .

I don't think there is anything wrong with an invitation which says "Please join us to celebrate our anniversary and house warming...". I'm not very keen on the "we want your presence not your presents" line which seems to be increasingly popular but that could just be me.

I would absolutely mention the reason for having the event; it is a good reason and a big one!

Menu sounds fab.