New Year, New Traditions: Starting 2026 with Fireside Moments
As we step into a brand-new year, there’s no better time to reflect on the rhythms of daily life and ask: What habits do I want to bring forward into 2026?
For many, New Year’s resolutions focus on health, family, and finding more balance. At Puget Sound Fire Pits, we believe your outdoor living space can play a powerful role in shaping these resolutions. A fire pit isn’t just a fireplace—it’s a stage for new traditions, a gathering point for loved ones, and a reminder that some of life’s best moments happen under the open sky.
Here’s how adding fireside moments to your New Year rituals can bring more connection, health, and joy into your everyday life.
Resolution #1: More Time with Family
It’s no secret that our calendars are packed—between work, school, sports, and daily errands, family time often slips away. The beauty of an outdoor fire pit is how naturally it draws people together.
Fireside Family Traditions to Start in 2026
Weekly Fireside Nights: Pick one evening each week where phones are put aside, and the family gathers around the fire. Add hot chocolate in the winter or s’mores in the summer for a tradition everyone looks forward to.
Storytelling Evenings: Pass down family history, share silly stories, or even read chapters of a favorite book together. A glowing fire makes any story feel magical.
Celebrating Milestones Outdoors: From birthdays to report card celebrations, gathering around the fire makes achievements more memorable.
In the Pacific Northwest, where winter nights are long, a COR-TEN steel RB73 fire pit extends your living space and keeps your family outdoors year-round. It’s about creating intentional pauses in the week for connection.
Resolution #2: Healthier Habits
The new year is often a time when people vow to eat better, cook more at home, and spend less on takeout. Your outdoor fire pit or outdoor kitchen can help make that resolution stick.
Outdoor Cooking for Wellness
Cooking outdoors isn’t just fun—it can be healthier, too. Grilling or cooking over a fire often requires fewer oils and allows fats to drip away. It’s also easier to prepare simple, whole-food meals like grilled fish, roasted vegetables, or fruit skewers.
Pairing a Quaruba fire pit with a grill plate or investing in an outdoor kitchen setup makes it easier to prepare meals at home without feeling confined to your indoor kitchen. And because it feels like an “experience,” family members are more likely to join in the process.
Mindful Eating
Eating by the fire naturally slows down the pace of dinner. Without the distractions of screens and indoor bustle, you can savor food, enjoy conversation, and truly experience mealtime as a ritual.
By bringing more meals outdoors in 2026, you’ll not only improve your health but also strengthen your sense of presence.
Resolution #3: Stress Relief and Relaxation
Stress is one of the biggest challenges modern families face. One of the simplest remedies? Spending more time outside.
The Science of Fireside Relaxation
Studies show that firelight and crackling sounds trigger relaxation responses in the brain. Sitting by a fire lowers blood pressure, reduces cortisol levels, and promotes a sense of calm. Add in the crisp Pacific Northwest air, and you’ve got a natural recipe for stress relief.
Fireside Wellness Rituals
Morning Coffee Outdoors: Start your day with a hot drink by the fire instead of scrolling through your phone.
Meditation or Journaling: Use the quiet glow of the flames to anchor mindfulness or reflection practices.
End-of-Week Reset: Light the fire on Friday evenings to mark the transition from work to rest—a symbolic “burning away” of stress.
By making fire a centerpiece of your outdoor living routine, you create built-in moments of peace that reset your mind and body.
Resolution #4: Embracing Outdoor Living Year-Round
Here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s easy to retreat indoors during rainy winters and cool spring evenings. But a well-designed fire pit or outdoor heater lets you extend your outdoor season—and your sense of freedom.
Designing for Year-Round Comfort
COR-TEN Steel Fire Pits: Built to thrive in alternating wet-dry climates, COR-TEN develops a protective patina that makes it perfect for Seattle and beyond.
Outdoor Heaters: Add infrared heaters for consistent warmth in covered patios or decks.
Cozy Accessories: Stock outdoor blankets, lanterns, and waterproof storage for everything you need to stay comfortable.
When your backyard feels usable in every season, outdoor living becomes part of your lifestyle instead of a summer-only activity.
Why Fireside Traditions Stick
New Year’s resolutions are notoriously hard to maintain. But when habits are tied to pleasure, ritual, and connection, they’re much easier to keep.
Outdoor fires create:
Anticipation: Kids (and adults) look forward to “fire nights.”
Simplicity: No need to travel or spend money—just light the fire and enjoy.
Consistency: A fire pit is always waiting, no matter the season.
These qualities transform resolutions from obligations into cherished traditions.
Local Context: Fireside Living in the Puget Sound
In Seattle and the Puget Sound area, outdoor fires are subject to seasonal regulations. Before starting your New Year fire pit traditions, it’s important to:
Check Burn Ban Status: The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issues bans during poor air quality periods.
Use the Right Fuel: Always burn dry, untreated firewood with less than 20% moisture content.
Mind Your Neighbors: A clean, efficient burn with the top-down method keeps smoke low and relationships positive.
By combining best practices with a respect for the environment, you can make fireside living both sustainable and neighbor-friendly.
FAQs About Fireside Resolutions
Can I use my fire pit during winter?
Yes! COR-TEN fire pits are designed for year-round use. In fact, cold nights make fireside gatherings even more enjoyable.
What’s the best way to start a New Year’s fire tradition?
Start small. Pick one night a week or month to gather. Add seasonal touches—like mulled cider in January or fresh s’mores in July.
Do outdoor fires really reduce stress?
Yes. The combination of flickering flames, warmth, and fresh air has measurable calming effects. It’s one of the simplest natural ways to relax.
How do I keep my fire pit safe on a deck or patio?
Add optional heat shields or place your Quaruba on a non-combustible surface like stone or gravel. Our team can guide you on the best setup.
Final Thoughts
As you set your intentions for 2026, consider starting a tradition that blends connection, health, and relaxation: fireside moments. Whether it’s gathering family, cooking outdoors, or simply slowing down to watch the flames, a fire pit can transform your resolutions into rituals that last a lifetime.
At Puget Sound Fire Pits, we deliver, set up, and maintain every RB73 fireplace we sell, so you can focus on enjoying the experience—not the hassle.
🔥 Ready to start your 2026 with a fire that inspires? Explore our collection of COR-TEN steel outdoor fireplaces and create traditions that will carry through every season.
