There is a particular kind of quiet that settles over a group around a fire. Faces glow orange, the sparks drift up into the dark, someone tells a story they have told a hundred times, and everyone listens anyway. Add marshmallows, and you have the perfect autumn evening. This invitation captures that glow against a starry forest sky.
Firelight in a Forest Clearing
The 5 x 7 inch card is set at night. A deep navy sky, scattered with white stars, fills the top two-thirds, with a pale crescent moon hanging in the upper right. Grab a stick and join us for a run across in warm amber capitals. BONFIRE is set in the bold Western-style Rye font in cream, and & s’mores night follows in orange Kaushan Script. The details sit in the middle of the sky: the date with the time 7 PM till the embers fade, the location The Hollow, end of Fernbrook Road, a two-line italic note about bringing a camp chair and a warm sweater, and an amber RSVP line.
The bottom third of the card is a forest. Dark green pine silhouettes in two shades rise from both sides, leaving a clearing in the middle where a campfire burns on crossed logs with orange and yellow flames. A warm glow spreads around the fire. Two marshmallow sticks reach in from the left and right, each with a white marshmallow toasting over the flames. The OTO logo sits in a soft lilac at the very bottom.
Fire Safety Checklist
A bonfire is only fun when it is safe. Before you send the invitation, run through this list and keep it handy on the night.
- Check local rules. Many areas require a permit or ban fires during dry spells.
- Use an existing fire pit, a metal fire bowl or a ring of stones on bare ground.
- Keep the fire at least 5 metres (15 feet) from buildings, fences, trees and overhanging branches.
- Have a bucket of water, a hose or a fire extinguisher right beside the fire.
- Never use petrol or other accelerants to light or revive the fire.
- Set a no-running zone around the fire for children and pets.
- Assign one adult to watch the fire at all times.
- Drown the embers with water, stir them, and drown again before you leave.
The S’mores Station
The classic s’more is simple: a toasted marshmallow and a square of chocolate pressed between two graham crackers. But a s’mores station with variations turns it into the main event. Here are favourite combinations to put out on a tray:
| Name | Swap in | Instead of |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut butter cup | Peanut butter cups | Plain chocolate |
| Strawberry | Fresh strawberry slices | Half the chocolate |
| Salted caramel | Caramel squares and sea salt | Plain chocolate |
| Cookie | Chocolate chip cookies | Graham crackers |
| Mint | Mint chocolate thins | Milk chocolate |
| Nutty banana | Hazelnut spread and banana | Plain chocolate |
Provide long metal or bamboo roasting sticks, and soak bamboo sticks in water for an hour first so they do not catch fire.
Stories, Songs and Stargazing
A bonfire evening needs very little entertainment, but a few ideas help when conversation dips. Pass around a classic ghost story, or play one word at a time storytelling where each person adds a word. Bring a guitar or a portable speaker for a singalong. Give children glow sticks so you can always see where they are. If the night is clear, step away from the fire for a few minutes and use a stargazing app to find constellations; the card’s starry sky makes a nice prompt for this.
Customising the Night Sky and Forest
Every line of text can be edited with a double-click: change the date, the time, the location and the RSVP. The sample uses The Hollow, end of Fernbrook Road, but you might write Our back garden or Pinecrest Campground, Site 14. If you are hosting a Guy Fawkes or Bonfire Night party, the same card works with a line such as Fireworks at 8.
The stars are one grouped layer, the pine forest is one group, and the campfire with its logs is another, so each part is easy to select. Recolour the sky to deep plum or forest green, warm up the flames, or move the fire to one side. The marshmallow sticks are separate shapes you can angle or remove. Fonts are Rye, Kaushan Script, and Montserrat, all available in the editor.
What Guests Should Bring
The sample text asks guests to bring a camp chair and a warm sweater. Other useful items to mention: a blanket, a torch or headlamp for walking back to the car, insect repellent in summer, and their own favourite roasting stick if they are particular. If the location is remote, add a note about parking or directions, or share a map pin in the message alongside the invitation.
Printing a Night-Sky Invitation
Dark backgrounds need good paper. Download the PDF and print on a smooth, heavy card so the navy sky and dark forest print evenly without banding. A semi-matte finish keeps the glow of the fire looking warm. For a rustic touch, use a kraft envelope tied with twine. For quick sharing, download a PNG or JPG; the glowing fire looks great on a phone screen.
Bonfire Night Questions
What time should a bonfire party start?
Around sunset, so guests arrive in daylight and the fire is at its best once it is dark.
How much firewood do I need?
For a three-hour fire, plan on roughly one large wheelbarrow of dry, seasoned hardwood, plus kindling.
What should we eat besides s’mores?
Hot dogs on sticks, foil-wrapped baked potatoes in the embers, and a pot of chilli all suit a fire.
Can children come?
Yes, with close supervision. S’mores are often the highlight of the night for kids.
What if it rains?
Add a rain date to the card, or move to a covered fire pit or an indoor fireplace with stovetop s’mores.
Set the date, stack the wood, and send the invitation into the night. The fire, the stars, and the marshmallows will take care of the rest.
