Well, it may not be cold in Florida or in California, but for the majority of the country, a dip in weather brings out the jackets. I put a log in my fireplace the other night for the first time in eight months. If you want to enjoy a backyard fireplace, consider a fire pit. This one is very affordable: Outdoor Patio Fire Pit 30-Inch Stainless Steel Fire Bowl.

For those of you who still have leaves to rake, don't forget to mulch them and add them to your compost pile. Next spring you'll have some richer soil to work with. A Mulch Mower is a great tool to get the job done. Don't have a compost pile? Here's a book to get you started.

Now is also the time to think about the winter birds. I recently transferred a video tape to DVD for a client. In one of the scenes, birds were pecking at seed in a little feeder on a window sill. Surrounding the feeder, however, was about a foot of snow. The woman in the video was saying she felt sorry for the birds and wished she could bring them all inside where it was warm. Here's a present for the birds in your yard this winter: 20" Heated Bird Bath.

My neighbors down the street entertain outdoors a lot. They have a little breezeway between their main house and their garage where they have a table and some chairs and where they sit around and talk. During the cold weather they just bundle up a little more and enjoy the warmth of a patio heater. This one is on SALE: Patio Heater Fire Sense Deluxe Stainless Steel LPG Propane Gas Outdoor Patio Heater.

Ok, I covered the birds and some adults, but what about the kids and families? Here's a unique idea that will not only delight your own children this winter, but may bring the whole block to your yard. It's a backyard skating rink!! Now, that's FUN.

The backyard skating rink is simply frozen water and comes in various sizes. 22 x 41 Backyard Ice Skating Rink Kit

Just because the weather turns brisk doesn't mean outdoor activities have to be shelved. Just pile on a Liquid Polar Insulated Jacket.

Yardiac.com the Holiday Garden Gift Store:
OR try Unbeatable Sales for Everyone on your list:
OR just trim your outdoor Holiday trees from this nifty place:

 

Sit down and define the purpose of your backyard. One thing at a time. Consistency is the key to any success. So . . .define your purpose and then go for it . . . . Whatever your budget and time allows!