Fire pit website Star Fire Direct says: "Adding a fire pit is one of the best things you can do to enhance your backyard or patio. It is no wonder, since everybody loves sitting around a mesmerizing fire while enjoying good company and campfire stories. In addition, they are relatively affordable, easy to install, maintain and use." Girl and Boy Scouts know this for a fact; singing songs, roasting frankfurters, making s'mores, and enjoying the camaraderie and warmth of the fire is an experience like none other. Fire pits will not only provide attractive outdoor focal points but also extend the use of your backyard or patio space during otherwise chilly nights.

Nowadays, the backyard campfire is conveniently available in specially designed fire pits that come with a variety of options and safety features. These fire pits come in many shapes and sizes -- from small tabletop pieces to large crowd-pleasing units -- that will fit every backyard, patio, balcony, or even kitchen or dining room. Choose between stationary fire pits or convenient portable ones to take on picnics or camping. And yes, you can even build your own fire pit using stone, concrete bricks or treated lumber. There are also convenient fire pit kits that include liners or grill racks.

Hosts have a choice of fuels and can even regulate the heat and smoke thrown off the unit. Manufacturers offer many different fire pit fuel choices varying from wood, pellets or "low-smoke wood packs" to propane, natural gas, charcoal or small cans of jellied fuel. One is advertised as the "smokeless fire pit" -- the Yukon by Solo Stove -- and uses regular wood for kindling and offers a trademark design to increase air flow and provide higher temperatures, a longer burning time and decreased smoke. Several propane units use fire-resistant beads or stones to enhance the fire's beauty and spread the flames evenly.

There are a wide variety of shapes, sizes and materials to blend in well with your patio or backyard. Many units also offer accessories to make your entertaining even easier. Roast marshmallows over an open fire or add cast-iron cooktops to grill vegetables and meats. Use fire screens or glass shields to keep the sparks contained. Choose the unit height and diameter that will fit your favorite spot best. Some units come built into their own "conversation table" and help provide a comfortable gathering spot for friends to get together. You can choose a 10-inch height or a barstool height, or anywhere in between, with finishes of copper, steel, natural rock, brick face, faux wood and more.

One manufacturer, Baby Fire Pits, offers uniquely designed small "fire pits" for use indoors or out. These attractive pieces can be used on your tabletop to allow the warming of skewered pieces of food or just to add attractive decor to a buffet table. Each unit is decorated with scenes made of copper and steel and use small cans of jellied fuel. This manufacturer also offers indoor coffee fire tables using the same gel fuel as their tabletop units.

If you are more interested in an outdoor pit on chilly nights than in using an open flame for cooking, you can also use a chiminea. A chiminea is made of clay, terracotta, copper, cast aluminum or cast iron. A chiminea, which means "chimney" in Spanish, is the equivalent of an outdoor fireplace. It is bell-shaped with an opening and a tall chimney up top. It is best to place the chiminea on a fire-resistant surface like patio bricks or in a short but sturdy stand to keep the air flowing underneath it. After putting sand or pebbles in the bottom, you can burn small quantities of wood, which will warm your patio, gazebo or backyard. As with fire pits, be sure to follow your local guidelines for outdoor fires. Chimineas are available in many retail outlets that feature outdoor furnishings.

Setting the mood for easy conversation and relaxing warmth with the glow and comfort of a natural gathering spot is easy around a modern, convenient and safe version of the campfire. Your friends will love gathering for an evening of relaxation and camaraderie in your outdoor haven. You and your family will enjoy your own personal backyard sanctuary.