Bonfires are great because they supply light and heat in cold weather in addition to another place for folks to collect.

Grab the Fun Using a Photo Booth Take snapping celebration pics to a new level by establishing your own photo booth -- no rental required. Our easy-to-follow instructions cover how to make a vibrant background, how to properly light the region and even includes entertaining (free!) Printable props that are certain to find the celebration started.

A Crafting Kid = a Happy Kid Keep your littlest celebration guests happily occupied by setting up a kids' crafts place. Cover a table with a disposable tablecloth or brown Kraft paper, then place out big stacks of paper together with an assortment of crayons or colored pencils. Fill modest containers beads and twine for creating jewelry and put juice boxes, milk cartons and bottled waters in an ice-filled container nearby so little artists can stay hydrated. Kids will love the recycled crayons shown here, learn how to create them.

Make Food Prep Part of this Party The kitchen is the heart of the celebration so plan a menu which encourages guests' involvement. Meals that need several measures but are not too time consuming, like homemade pizza custom cut mirror toronto . are your best bet. Pre-chop veggies, grate cheese and slice beef toppings before guests arrive then they can help shape the dough and establish the pies to suit their flavor when they arrive. For a much healthier choice, have a salad party or request guests to help prepare items for the grill like vegetable skewers. Don't worry about asking your friends to help; many will love helping and will have fun while they do it.

Build a Bonfire Who doesn't enjoy sitting around a fire, relaxing with a beverage, making s'mores and sharing songs and stories? Bonfires are great because they supply light and heat in cold weather in addition to another place for folks to collect. Additionally, the mood around the flame may range from tender and contemplative to loud and boisterous.

Try a New Twist S'mores are a guaranteed hit with guests of all ages -- using homemade graham crackers along with a rich chocolatey smear, our recipe takes the fireside favored up a notch. Get the recipe.

Go Global Everyone enjoys sharing a little bit of the culture, especially when that means displaying their cooking skills by whipping up their nonna's homemade ravioli, their abuela's melt-in-your-mouth carne asada or even their Granny's caramel apple pie. Throw a dinner celebration potluck fashion, asking guests to bring 1 dish that's representative of the family's legacy or even a country they have always wished to visit. You provide the basics, like drinks, bread, salad and a couple of sides then let the multicultural feast begin.

Everyone Wins at Game Night No, we don't imply Monday Night Football, instead host a night in which you and your friends are the players. If it's a small gathering, choose 1 game that can last a few hours, like Risk or Monopoly. For a larger group, set up a variety of games at different tables so guests may jump from game to game, like card games, video games, board games, etc.. Provide easy-to-munch snacks that can be passed around the tables.

Get Crafty In case Pinterest has taught us anything, it's that handmade is sexy. While your friends may love the handmade appearance, crafting may not be in their genes but it's never too late to turn a glitter-phobe into a bona fide hot-gun-wielding crafter. Just choose a project or two that even novices can tackle. For inspiration, take a look at our exclusive crafting video collection or among our most easy holiday or regular projects on our HGTV Pinterest plank. Then, mix up some cocktails and snacks, place out equipment and make creative. Most importantly: Your guests may take their crafty creation home as a party favor.

Farm-to-Table Potluck If you are a gardener and know others with likewise green thumbs, host a potluck-style supper to showcase the fruits (or veggies) of your labor. Ask each friend to bring a dish comprising their prized vegetables and fruits. A number of fresh foods provides a festival for taste buds, as well as an chance to teach one another and discuss experiences. Invite friends who do not garden, and you might provide them with the impetus to initiate a garden of their own.

Swap Plants as Favors A great activity to your plant-centric dinner party is a plant swap. Ask guests to bring along a potted cutting from one of their favourite flowering or produce-bearing plants. Planted in repurposed tins, the cuttings create a adorable favor dining table, guests could simply grab one in their way out.

Satisfy Their Sweet Tooth While we typically consider baking around the holidays, whipping up (then sampling!) Homemade candies hot from the oven is obviously a recipe for fun. You provide the ingredients to create two to four classic dessert recipes, like chocolate chip, oatmeal or peanut butter cookies, brownies or lemon bars then ask guests to bring their favorite add-ins, such as chopped nuts, caramels, toffee bits or even fruit. Then, get creative to bake batches of fresh-from-the-oven treats your guests can enjoy throughout the celebration then package up their favorites to enjoy afterwards at home. Get baking with our 23 cookie recipes.

Put Their Talents on Center Stage A house-party jam session is the perfect place for linking musical friends from other circles, and live music creates an instantly relaxing and enjoyable vibe. Most musicians will be delighted to play, and your guests will be delighted to sit back and revel in the concert.

Tune Up Your Plumbing If your buddies aren't musically inclined, how about a karaoke-style musical sing-a-long rather? The pro-grade gear is available for one-night or weekend rental in many significant towns or you may just fire up your video game system and sing along to your favorite hits with one of many karaoke-based games.

Love a Favorite Flick Get a group together after a month or so to see your favorite films, or choose flicks that nobody has seen previously. If you develop a loyal viewing group, take turns picking the movie. Maybe you want to earn your way down a top 100 movie list or stick to a specific genre, such as horror, humor, action or love. Pile the couch up with pillows and throws, pop some popcorn and get comfy.

Popcorn Perfected You don't have to be stoic or pretentious to assemble around literature. Whatever you need are mild appetizers, possibly some wine and good functions to read. Ask friends to bring their favourite poem or a passage in the beloved publication. It doesn't have to be Shakespeare or Chaucer, even though the classics are always a good read. Or, invite visitors to read a poem they've written or even lines from their favourite song.

Take a Scholarly Approach A fun, creative way to spend time with family and friends is to find out something new together, such as canning, knitting, crocheting, stained glass or cheese producing. The possibilities are infinite. Start looking for the skills within your circle. Most people are happy to share something that they love doing. If supplies are needed, ask those participating to donate or purchase the necessary items beforehand and bring them together.

Learn a New Hobby Weather permitting, take the party out to get a laid-back day of outdoor games, like badminton, bocce, horseshoes, cornhole, whiffle ball or croquet. For competitive classes, hold a tournament with prizes given for first, second and third position or for greatest play or most impressive comeback. For a creative take on a carnival favorite, our step-by-step directions will explain how you can upcycle empty glass bottles and rope to some fun ring toss game.