Outdoor Holiday Meal Poll

[fortnightlily]

Brought to you by a friendsgiving debate. Assume attendees range in age from young children to senior citizens, that some attendees are very Covid-cautious, and that the hosts prefer indoors.

ETA: For those who can't see the poll, the question is: Is low/mid 50s and overcast too cold to expect people to hold a holiday meal outdoors?

[momin2013]

I voted too cold - I feel like the food would be cold on my plate in no time flat!

There are some occasions/types of food where this would not bother me, thinking things like a cookout with burgers, pizza, etc., but a holiday meal? I want to sit inside at a table where it’s nice and warm, TYMV.

ETA: disclaimer - I am old.

[deadwing]

I love cold weather and I would be fine attending an outdoor meal in the low 50s. I think most people would find it to be too cold, especially for just sitting around outside. It would be different if it was an activity, like going for a hike.

If you could have a fire going adjacent to the outdoor dining table, I think that would make it comfortable for more people.

[sadlebred]

Maybe they could provide an outdoor area and an indoor area?

[mrspez07]

50s are always those temperatures where I think it’ll be warmer than it is and I’m always cold. Even if it’s been colder than that and that’s a warm up.

[UMaineTeach]

I think it’s too cold, but if you work it carefully, maybe.

Have food that won’t get too cold, like a bowl of thick chili.

Maybe rent/borrow a patio heater, as much as burning fossil fuels to heat the outdoors bugs me.

Chairs with cushions.

Notice to guests to wear layers.


The choice to not attend might have to be made by the Covid cautious people. It’s unfortunate, but life is a series of choices.

[konapoppy]

At this point I think it really depends on the level of friendship. If these were my closest friends, I would probably accommodate outdoors.

If this is more of a nice to have get together, I say inside.

Either way, clear communication is important so people can deside their level of comfort accordingly (e.g., Covid conscious may opt out of an indoor event, others may bring more layers or opt out of outdoors).

[livinitup]

Are they set up for it? I’ve been to swanky resorts in cold weather climates with lovely outdoor spaces (dressed warmly, too) but that’s hard to achieve for regular neighbors or family. I’d try it as a good sport but I don’t think the party would last long.

[SusanBAnthony]

I would be ok with it if warned in advance so I could make sure I dressed warm and brought blankets and such. But I would be annoyed if I HAD to stay outside at that temp and probably wouldn't stay long. I would prefer to have an option to go inside if chilly- which would still spread people out.

[ckay]

I said yes, too cold, and I am an outside person! I think it’s a great temp to sit outside around a fire though. Could you do apps outside, dinner in? Covid conscious could either just come for apps or take their meal outside? Basically I’m envisioning it like a wedding reception that has indoor and outdoor areas available.

[noodleoo]

Yes it’s too cold. Reschedule it or have it indoors.

50s with no sun is way colder than 50s with sun, and if there is any wind it will be freezing. I don’t want to eat a holiday dinner with my heavy coat on.

[al dente]

Do the hosts prefer indoors because of the weather or they're better set up for it indoors? I feel like if it's what the host prefers them that's what you do... We don't have outdoor furniture to host a group with seating and all like we do indoors.

But 50s would be way too cold for me so if be skipping the whole thing if that's what it was.

[tacokick]

I think it could be fine on a sunny day but wind and clouds could make it too chilly. I’d also arrange so the food is indoors and people take it out to eat so the food stays warmer.

I would also assume things would eventually move indoors and the outdoor preferrers will leave.

[ECB]

If the hosts prefer indoors, do indoors. The Covid conscious people can decline If they aren’t comfortable. That’s too cold in my book and while I don’t want to poo-poo Covid concerns, but we’re also to a point where the expectation to do stuff outdoors is a bit in the past.

[waverly]

If I were hosting then I would do it inside. People can decline the invitation or wear a mask and remove it when they eat.

If I were attending I would wear layers and plan on not staying long. Maybe cruise by for an hour and go home and warm up.

If I wasn’t hosting then I feel like my opinion doesn’t matter because I think it’s up to the host to decide what kind of party they want to throw.

[redheadk]

That is way too cold for us.

ETA: If the host wanted to accommodate a very close family member who has a special health issue that requires covid precautions, I would do my best to accommodate but if it was just another guest, we would pass. 

[sakoro]

With multiple patio heaters and a fire pit I’d be up for it. I’m going to two outdoor holiday parties this year that are probably similar conditions. These locations both have fire pits and heaters and are cocktail style.

[krystee]

I would probably compromise and tell them to meet us for outside dessert and make a hot chocolate bar and a fire.

[eddy]

Depends on the food and set up. A tailgate with casual food, sure why not.

Sit down meal with food that needs to be hot. Meh, rather not.

Also if I am sitting outside a warm home I would be grumpy lol.

[tiki]

We did this several times in 2020 & 2021 and the food and people got cold quickly. Hot drinks, including for kids, did help a lot.

[fancynewbeesly]

Nov 24, 2023 19:37:27 GMT -5 krystee said:

I would probably compromise and tell them to meet us for outside dessert and make a hot chocolate bar and a fire.

This literally was our Thanksgiving.

@@dd is immune compromised--she can't indoors ANYWHERE--so we had Thanksgiving the four of us. Then invited family over outdoors for dessert with a fire going.

[marcyiam]

We did that last year with my family but it was a lot colder and with snow on the ground.

But we knew about it ahead of time and made adjustments for it. Had a fire, we dressed appropriately and had food that was easier to eat standing up, some things we used the fire to cook before putting on our plates, etc. Was fun!

[RoxMonster]

I think it would be too cold to sit around and eat a meal especially if there’s no fire. Also consider any breeze/wind. I remember last fall, we went to an outdoor daytime event/concert at a winery and it was sunny, mid-50s. I thought with a jacket and sweater underneath in the sun, I’d be fine. But there was a breeze blowing and we ended up moving inside because we were freezing.

Could you do an indoor dinner and then an outdoor drinks/dessert by a fire and those who want to be outdoors could join for that portion?

[wanderingback]

I’ve been fairly covid conscious and prefer outdoor things when at all possible, but yes that’s too cold and I wouldn’t expect the hosts to accommodate this in not ideal weather.

[Roc A Bee]

We hosted in the evening with a tent and heaters and it was fine. Without those? No.

[vamoose]

I said too cold, but I think it would be okay to do an outdoor happy hour socialize time before the meal for an hour or so with everyone dressed warmly and then those that feel comfortable can dine inside.

[ohgillian]

My uncle is in treatment for cancer; I would do this for him. But for a large group of people where some are just more conservative about Covid generally? No.

[basilosaurus]

What's the humidity? 50 in Florida is very different than 50 in Colorado. Also sun?

I'm more worried about the food than guest comfort. But I'm also never faced with this situation

[stemmie]

Ugh.

If it's sunny/no wind, there are sufficient patio heaters and folks are warned ahead of time, and they were people there I wanted to see-- sure?

I have a friend who is immunodeficient who turned down all invitations because she doesn't want to risk it. While she's had all the vaccines to which she's entitled and does IVIG (which would be protective given plasma from those recovered from or vaccinated against COVID) she has made a choice to opt out. I know she sometimes gets very depressed watching others go back to doing normal things while she's feeling abandoned.

[Jalapeñomel]

I’m guessing the poll says Thanksgiving dinner outside?

If so, my answer is hard pass.