STAY AT HOME BONFIRE NIGHT IDEAS

The smell of a bonfire, autumnal leaves on the ground, the crisp chill in the air, mittens at the ready and excited faces for a display in the sky all spell Bonfire Night. In today’s blog I am going to give you some Stay at Home Bonfire Night Ideas, with a tasty family recipe that I have used for years without fail every bonfire night that adults & little ones will enjoy & keep them toasty and warm throughout the evening. 

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Fireworks

 Head out to your local licensed fireworks shop and purchase a pretty selection of fireworks for your display. There are plenty to choose from including rockets, cathryn wheels & even smaller quieter indoor fireworks for those with sound sensitivities or for our super young wild ones. Always ensure you read  the direction for use & the best way to enjoy your fireworks is safely, so make sure you’re aware of safe practices. 

Garden Cosiness

It’s time to create a cosy set up in the garden. Grab some twinkly fairy lights for the fence, trees or anywhere else they could be draped. Get some seating put together well away from where the fireworks will be lit/placed & grab all the pillows and blankets galore for a true cosy cuddle up while you watch the show unravel.  If you have the space and fancy it why not make a little bonfire to toast some marshmallows on or make s’mores.

Feel Good Food

One thing we love the most is our favourite comfort foods to indulge in on Bonfire Night. To really warm our belly’s we always enjoy my signature Bonfire Night soup which I have included for you at the end of this blog so that you can make yours for all of the family to enjoy. My sweet potato & butternut squash soup is naturally Gluten Free & suitable for vegetarians/vegans & a great way to start a cosy evening in.

We then always do hot dogs (either frankfurters, sausages or vegan alternatives) in fluffy rolls, with mustard, ketchup & onions if you fancy. A bonfire night comforting but cosy dinner.

Create a hot chocolate & treats station 

Grab your family’s favourite mugs and line them up ready to rock n roll. Place out your family’s favourite hot choc powder, some warm milk in a pourer, a bowl of mini marshmallows, a bowl of chocolate flakes, a bowl of sprinkles & a squirty cream. Then when you’re all snuggled together toasty warm outdoors enjoying the fireworks you have a scrummy sweet treat to enjoy plus it’s great fun for the kids to make their own.  

The big kids of the bunch could enjoy a nice warmed apple cider to enjoy guilt free or how about some homemade cupcakes with chocolate flakes standing upwards to look like little bonfires. The choice of treats are endless. 

Movie Time

Once the fireworks and sparklers have all gone out you could get ready for a movie of the night. Cosy Pjs at the ready & fluffy blankets. We have a little projector we bought on amazon,  so we just chuck an old white bed sheet up and pop the film on the projector, so it feels like a cosy indoor cinema where we all get toasty and warm after the fireworks.

Sweet Station

 Grab a selection of your family’s favourite sweeties and pop them along the table with little paper bags for the kids to create their own Pick n Mix. Pick n Mix is the best treat for movie time and a lovely little way to round off a cosy family bonfire night created in the comfort of your own homes.  

Here’s my family’s traditional Soup lovingly created for generations in my family, now lovingly passed down to you & yours! 

Enjoy x

Butternut squash & sweet potato Soup Recipe

Serves 4-6 people

3 tablespoons of butter (or butter alternative, I use dairy free spread) & melt in a large saucepan with ½ a finely chopped white onion

Peel and dice 1 squash and place into the saucepan

Peel and dice 3 sweet potatoes and place into the saucepan

Add 1 litre of vegetable stock (preference is your own but i always use Knorr) to the pan.

Add a few grinds of pepper

Bring the saucepan to the boil and simmer until all vegetables are very soft (patience is key). 

Either transfer to a blender & blend to your preferred consistency (we always go for slightly thicker options with this recipe) OR use a hand blender and blend and combine all the ingredients while still in the pan. If you have a little one who’s weaning blend to preferred consistency to suit their weaning journey so they can enjoy the same foods as you.

For those who love a splash of heat (like we do) add a sprinkle of chilli powder or ½ 1 red chilli before blending to add extra warmth. 

Serve in a bowl with warm crunchy bread. 

(TIP if you have any left over pop into an airtight container and refrigerate to reheat on the hob  another day, it tastes just as good OR pop in to freezable pots for your little wild ones weaning journey)