What Do You Need to Host an Outdoor Christmas Party?
Despite being an avid fan of summer, Christmas is ultimately my very favorite holiday. The upbeat jingly music, the colorful lights, the food and snacks, being surrounded by family and friends … Christmas puts together the best of all the factors that make a holiday outstanding. And being someone who enjoys time spent outdoors, the idea of an outdoor Christmas party is naturally appealing to me.
Then again, I live in Buffalo. Before moving here last year, I had the same impression of Buffalo most of you share. Outside of the Western New York region, Buffalo is known for the Niagara Falls, Buffalo wings … and snow. All of the snow.
The city’s tundra-like winter weather isn’t exactly conducive to party tents, which are known to struggle in winter conditions. Even the top-shelf commercial grade party tents we sell here at Party Tents Direct aren’t intended for extreme winter weather.
Then again, in my experience anyway, Buffalo’s winter weather isn’t really as terrifying as legend claims. I came here from the Central New York region; Buffalo’s weather is more “Central New York plus” than “Siberian nightmare.” But still, the concept of an outdoor Christmas party here is pretty iffy.
Freezing cold temperatures can cause severe damage to tent vinyl. We advise against using them in any temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. But if it’s warmer than that, an outdoor Christmas party is definitely doable.
In most of the United States, there’s a good chance Christmas day weather will allow you to host an outdoor Christmas party. So let’s talk about what that might look like and what additional equipment you’d want or need.
Why Hold a Christmas Party Outside?
We’re all familiar at this point with the “stock” Christmas party experience. Eggnog, presents, some Bob or Bing Crosby on the radio, ugly Christmas sweaters … we all know what a traditional Christmas party looks like.
An outdoor Christmas party, or at least one hosted partially outdoors, breaks up the monotony of having the same old Christmas party year after year. It expands on the usable space of a traditional party, giving guests new and different areas to explore, mingle, and catch themselves under the mistletoe.
If weather permits it, you can set up party tents on a patio or in a yard, providing new areas for your guests to dine, chat, or cut a rug. It gets people moving and gives them an excuse to get outside into the fresh air.
If you know how to heat a party tent in winter, you can make that outdoor space all the more comfortable for your guests. And you can do all of this with equipment you’ll find plenty of uses for all year round.
Putting Up and Anchoring a Party Tent on Cold Ground
Before we can think about what’s going inside your party tent, we first need to get it standing. And this might be the most difficult part of this entire process ... or not difficult at all, if you have the right equipment.
Driving tent stakes into frozen ground is hard. Pulling tent stakes out of frozen ground can be just as challenging, too. So our first suggestion for those of you considering an outdoor Christmas party is to stock up with two important pieces of equipment that you’ll put to good use all year round: a tent stake driver and a tent stake extractor.
A tent stake driver pounds stakes into the ground automatically, so that you’re not left with aching arm and back muscles after swinging a sledgehammer for ages. They’re ideal for use with cold or frozen ground, or really any ground harder than warm dirt. And you can use these tent stake drivers year round, too.
Related: How Cold is ‘Too Cold’ for Your Party Tents?
Tent stake extractors are, well, the exact opposite of tent stake drivers. A tent stake extractor is a simple but invaluable piece of mechanical equipment that helps you yank tent stakes out of the ground a lot easier. Even when those stakes are driven into hard (or in this case, cold or frozen) ground.
Both the tent stake driver and tent stake extractor are great investments for anyone who owns a party tent. They drastically reduce not only setup time, but the amount of physical labor required for that setup. And less work is definitely a good thing when you’re also trying to organize a social function. Like, say, your first ever outdoor Christmas party.
Keeping Things Warm (No Yule Log Required)
Even if it’s warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, that doesn’t mean guests at your outdoor Christmas party won’t end up shivering. You’ll definitely want to warm up the inside of your party tent to cozy levels. And that means you’ll want to use a party tent heater.
Tent heaters are essentially outdoor space heaters designed to warm up your large party tent safely, quickly, and efficiently. You can use them in your tents, or even just on your porch or patio.
Related: How to Keep a Party Tent Warm in Fall (and Winter, Too!)
Tent heaters are used by professional event and party rental companies all over the world. Construction companies use them on job sites, too. And your outdoor Christmas party guests will definitely appreciate your setting them up, too.
If you don’t already have them, you’ll also want tent sidewalls. Sidewalls help keep the heat inside the tent, while also keeping wind and weather out. They’re easy to install, too. And like the other equipment we’ve talked about, you’ll put your sidewalls to good use throughout the year, long after your outdoor Christmas party is over.
What Else Do You Need for the Perfect Outdoor Christmas Party?
Using all of this equipment, setting up your party tent for an outdoor Christmas party should be as quick and painless an experience as possible. Though you’ll need more than just an awesome, well-constructed party tent to make your Christmas party super memorable.
- If you’re using your party tent for outdoor dining, you might want to pick up some folding tables and party chairs
- Looking to get people moving and grooving? A portable dance floor will get the job done
- If you’re entertaining lots of kids, you might want to add some fun inflatable games
- Looking to improve visibility and make your house easier to find for your guests? Consider a festive Santa themed inflatable tube man
Everything else you’ll need for your outdoor Christmas party is stuff you’re already familiar with. Christmas lights and other decorations, food, snacks, and some great Christmas music are absolute necessities for any legendary Christmas party.
We may not be able to help you with those odds and ends, but PTD is ready, willing, and waiting to help you with everything else we just listed. Call our expert staff today at 1-716-566-5804 and we’ll help you find the perfect equipment to make your outdoor Christmas party unforgettable.
PTD carries party tents, tent sidewalls, tent jacks, tent stake drivers and extractors, folding tables, folding chairs, and more. We can help you find all of the equipment you need for the perfect outdoor Christmas party. And from all of us here at PTD, merry Christmas and happy holidays!