An outdoor party in December...am I nuts

[Sezime]

Hi world of Mums

My space obsessed soon to be 6 year old has asked for a stargazing party for his birthday mid December. That means it has to be in the dark so we can have the telescope. He wants a fire pit, dancing, sparklers and a glow stick hunt, with hot chocolate and sausages.

Originally it was just a few friends, now its gone up to 8 and the parents want to stay, so thats 20 people that potentially have to go in our small house if it pees it down (South of England its been known to rain a bit!).

Am I crazy to contemplate it? Are people going to want to stand outside for 2 hours while the kids run around in the dark hopefully not falling over things. The garden is semi lit thanks to the streetlamps and i thought we could have camping lanterns dotted around too.

Any suggestions on what we could do for warmth? Fire and a gazebo in case of rain.

And games you can do in the dark?

Thank you :-)

I want to be creative and supportive but that sounds awful. Standing about in a dark garden for two hours? Who's going to want to come?

I think this is a fabulous idea, we all stand outside on bonfire night which can be freezing.

Can you get a small gazebo to put up? Borrow any garden heaters or fire pits. Also string up outdoor fairy lights.

You can serve warm drinks to keep people warm in thick paper cups, mulled wine for the grown ups, hot choc for the kids of even warm squash.

Just make the invite crystal clear that it’s an outdoor party, they’ll need to wrap up warm etc.

I think it's a great idea. Definitely a gazebo.

You could toast marshmallows on a firepit and light a bbq.

Glostick treasure hunt, sparklers (use carrots for handles).

Your son sounds awesome for 6 years old, what an amazing idea! Love glow sticks, camping lanterns and warm/hot drinks. I would be very careful about a fire pit though and have some kind of barrier so no accidents. What about toasting marshmallows or smores.

I’d be happy to send my kid, sounds fun and it’ll be fine as they’ll stay warm running around. But it sounds awful for any adults staying and standing around for 2 hours. If it wasn’t a drop off I think I’d regretfully be busy 😬 But maybe your friends are hardier than me!

I think it sounds fab. But can’t help thinking fire pits and excited 5/6 year olds is a recipe for disaster

I wouldn't do two hours. 1.5 Max. They don't run around the garden, you create an area they are allowed in, with your nice ideas. Block the rest off. Definitely get a gazebo.
Plan it properly.
Arrive: 4pm
Outside sausages or hot dogs
Then some space colouring in or activity
Then star gazing

You get the idea.
You will absolutely need some kind of light.

All of the friends he's already asked to come. Kids love the dark. The adults are a close group of friends and they all want to come (we asked them before we asked the kids!

Don't worry we've thought this through. Our garden is in segments. one section is where his outdoor playroom is and thats where the disco will be. The other section is our adults corner with the sofas and firepits, and the last section we will rope off as i dont like kids round my mud pit allotment :-)