With lockdowns looming and quarantines becoming the new normal, it appears that Borris has certainly put an end to this year's celebrations! For me (and I’m sure a lot of you) annual celebrations, including bonfire night, really give me something to look forward to, meaning this year has been rather tough.

However, I’m determined not to let COVID take away all of the fun this year, so I’ve been coming up with fun, COVID secure ways to celebrate events at home. Although we may not be able to celebrate bonfire night as we have before, we can certainly still have a great time in this new “normal”. Here are my 5 fun ideas for a lockdown bonfire night.

BONFIRE NIGHT SNACKS 

We all love food, so where is a better place to start for your lockdown bonfire night? With bonfire night bang in the middle of autumn, it certainly provides you with plenty of choice for themed food. I’ve found loads of great recipes on BBC Good Food with some of my favourites being toffee apples, catherine wheel bread rolls and bonfire night cake. Also, check out this cute savoury pumpkin recipe from Tesco for some really aesthetically pleasing snacks. 

AT HOME FIREWORKS 

Yes, fireworks at home may seem a little optimistic, especially if you live in a small flat like me, but don’t totally rule them out. Even with very limited space, we can still all enjoy the smallest of fireworks - sparklers! Although sparklers may not sound the most exciting, I’m sure they will add a bit of excitement in what is a bit of a boring time. And if not, you can always get an insta-worthy bonfire night shot! 

BONFIRE NIGHT DECORATIONS 

Just because you haven’t got anybody coming around for your bonfire night party this year, doesn’t mean you can’t make an effort to decorate the house with fun and festive decorations. 

If you are feeling crafty, you can always knit, sew or crochet your own decorations into fireworks, pumpkins or other seasonal favourites (win-win as this also gives you a fun job to do in lockdown!). Or, if you are a bit less artistically talented like myself, have a go at making some mason jar fairy lights to really brighten up any outdoor space. 

SEASONAL DRINKS 

There is nothing better than having a nice warm, festive drink on bonfire night and with the kitchen being closer than ever this year as we celebrate at home, why not make the most of it? My favourite festive drink has got to be a good hot chocolate, but there are certainly bonfire night drinks for all tastes and moods, from mulled wine to toffee apple cocktails - the options for your evening in are endless. 

MAKE A BONFIRE 

If you are lucky enough to have a large garden or outdoor space at your disposal, then now is the time to make a bonfire! A bonfire is the perfect entertainment for both a small 6 person gathering or a more intimate affair, with the creation of the bonfire keeping you busy for the majority of the day. If, like me, you’ve not built a bonfire since you were a child, check out this helpful article to give you some tips and tricks to get started. 

On one final note, bonfire night can often be seen as damaging for the environment, so whilst enjoying your evening with my 5 top tips, remember to: 

• Avoid sky lanterns - although pretty, they can cause disastrous effects to the surrounding landscape. 

• Use biodegradable tableware, or since we are all at home, actual cutlery! 

• Use eco-friendly fireworks - these produce much less atmospheric pollution than standard shop-bought fireworks. 

• Make sure you check for any animals, especially hedgehogs, which love to hide under bonfire wood. 

• Try to use collected, natural wood for your bonfire instead of the shop bought logs. 

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Written by Josie Armstrong

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