Corona-proofing garden

[LividLaughLovely]

Weird title but bear with me.

We’re finally buying a house with a lovely garden (touch wood, plenty of hiccups to get this far) and hoping there’s still a chance to be in by Christmas.

It’s looking unlikely that we’d be able to have all the relatives round this year to admire our new indoor space, as much as it’d be perfect for hosting a huge turkey dinner.

What can we do to make the garden suitable for a cold, wet winter of (at best) outdoor socialising?

Gazebo? Big umbrella? Fire pit? What sort of garden furniture do people recommend and does anyone have a really useable outside space at the moment they can enjoy in whatever tier means out not in?

Best bet is getting some warmth from the sun. Have lunchtime gatherings rather than evening.

So find the best sheltered form the wind sunny spot at lunchtime, patio it, and get some chairs.

No way I'll be socialising in the dark and cold this winter.

I think you’re being a touch ambitious - and in an outdoorsy don’t-feel-the-cold type! I had an outdoor brunch at a restaurant with five friends at the weekend and it was bearable but only with industrial patio heaters and a big table umbrella and our jackets on.

Powerful heaters would be a must I think, and chunk solid wood table and benches which are actually comfortable to sit on for long periods.

I would do similar to German Xmas markets and have under umbrella heaters and lots of warming alcohol.

Although they are used to colder weather than us and more geared towards it plus they are usually stop off before going to a restaurant.

Honestly? Just wait until the weather warms up and have a gathering then. It is already too cold for sitting outdoors for any length of time, even with a patio heater, and they are not exactly environmentally friendly.

Pop up gazebos and a couple of chinineas

Hmm 🤔 what about toilet? Wouldn’t relatives still need to access the i doors for toilets?

In that case maybe consider something around that?

*indoors

I'd go for gazebo type thing or covering, with lots of maybe fire pits for heat? Lots of blankets etc.

As long as people only go in for the loo 1 at a time that would be fine!

Surely a gazebo with all its sides on is an inside space though?

@ChristmasCantComeSoonEnough gazebos i've seen have 3 sides covered, or 3 half sides covered, and 1 open so that is what i would go for.

I still think that should be treated as an inside space.

Big sturdy table and chairs like you might find in a pub garden

But outdoor wooden furniture needs to be kept dry so you need some kind of shelter

I think your expectations are unrealistic.