A Snug & Safe Bonfire Celebration
Bonfire Night is a great excuse to gather a few clans or just get your own lot together to share some food and watch fireworks, even if it’s just from the window rather than lighting the fuse yourself.
Soups and stews are always a staple for these types of events, made easy with the right equipment like a soup maker and stock pots. Maybe set aside a space in the kitchen to have a stash of bowls and spoons on standby so your guests can help themselves. Prep a tray of jacket potatoes in a low oven and crusty bread on the chopping board to mop up every last drop.
Steaming hot drinks to hug in gloved hands as you look up at the night sky are part of the winter entertaining experience. Although we say so ourselves, our slow cooker hot chocolate is pretty hard to beat for a yummy treat loved by children and adults alike. And well, it just wouldn’t be bonfire night without toffee apples which also make a lovely going-home gift if you’re lucky enough to have visitors!
SHOP COOKWARE
When it comes to Bonfire Night it’s all about safety first, but not everyone in the family can look after themselves. Like our pets. At this time of year, we really need to take care of our furry friends and do all we can to make them feel comfortable and calm.
Make sure you’ve walked and fed them during the day before displays start so you know anxiety won’t put them off once any loud bangs start. Maybe even increase their portion size so they can feel sleepy and relaxed like we do after a hearty meal! Consider drawing the curtains in the room they’re in, maybe with our thermal curtains which are great for cocooning, as they block light and reduce noise.
SHOP ALL READY MADE CURTAINS
New toys and a cosy new pet bed might just do the trick to give them a safe space to retreat into along with layers of cosy blankets so they can snuggle down inside under the table and feel extra secure. If you have smaller pets like hamsters or guinea pigs then a blanket over the top can muffle noise too. Remember to ensure air flow.
Make sure doors and windows are locked so cats and dogs can’t escape outdoors and get disoriented but ensure internal doors are open so they can wander about freely and find their own little safe space where you can talk reassuringly to them.
SHOP FOR YOUR PETS
Finally, if you are hosting a bonfire party, always check inside your pile of firewood and garden debris for hedgehogs, small mammals, maybe frogs and toads who might have hopped in beforehand.