Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Over 70% of people like cooking and cleaning up before any holiday festivities start
Outdoor parties and cooking are back in favour in 2019 after five years of informal gatherings and more engaging technology, according to science experts.
As well as home parties, the Wildlife Trust says there is also a shortage of free time for traditional hosts to socialise, meaning some people may look to the outdoors.
When it comes to food, we’re set to be too busy to forget about the gooey pigskin wrap.
Our pick of the experts’ recommendations
Dick Bush, senior councillor, Fife Wildlife Trust
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Farming dominates Bush’s charity activities
“For 25 of the last 30 years, Fife Wildlife Trust has held its traditional Family Gathering at Rathmore Heritage Village each Thanksgiving.
“The reason we do this is because we know that this is a most popular tradition, with lots of families now seeing it as more than just an opportunity to get together.
“Fife also sees a lot of Halloween bonfires, and hence lots of food being burnt down or eaten raw.”
Michael Woods, founder and CEO, Wildlife Trusts England and Wales
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Woods hopes all his clients will be a Wildlife Trust client
“The number of people who are willing to indulge in nature at Halloween this year will be smaller than in previous years.
“It is more reasonable to plan a party or to meet with friends in-person in the same way that you might meet for coffee or a pint.
“Pre-planning your outings as a family to avoid disappointment is important, as you might wake up on Halloween thinking ‘I wish I had turned out to be a little more 21st century. We spent the afternoon outside chasing rabbits!’
“Thanksgiving and Christmas are occasions when the landscape and life around us give us something to be thankful for, therefore it’s important to share that with your friends and family.
“Being able to involve children in the tradition can teach them that nature is important and we need to take time out of our busy lives to give something back.”
This year’s Wildlife Trust’s festive hang-out has been transformed into a mystical forest that will be officially opened on 11 December.
Leon Knight, director of programmes and events, Naturland
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Naturland organisation is inviting people to spend their time in parks for better health
“The casual gathering for a family and friends this year has been moved to the holidays.
“This year a lot of the playtime and socialising will take place outdoors, either in parks, woods or in gardens.
“Indoor activity then moves indoors, especially if children get too excited and want to just spend time in the play area.
“There are exciting ways to incorporate food into the festivities and these seem to be taking off. From whole turkeys to geysers bubbling in the meadows with food and wine, there is no end to the ways and places that people enjoy food and do it outside.
“Recently the Naturland website has been inundated with photos of Santa handing out packs of bird food to big kids.
“We definitely will see and still see some planning going on in the week before and during the festivities. But with so many people still getting together it means the entire country has got some people excited and will still have a good time.”