The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has no doubt put a lot of parties and celebrations on the backburner. However, with the right planning and execution, it is still possible to host a fun party that minimizes the risk of the spread of the virus. Here are five tips for throwing a great socially distanced party.
Take it Outdoors
By now, everyone knows that it is much safer to hold events outside rather than indoors. Research has shown that the virus is not able to live as long when outside. For this reason, holding a party outdoors should also be your number one choice, if available.
If you are worried about the weather, there are things that you can do to provide your guests with protection from the elements. The first thing that you need is a party tent. Be sure to rent one that is plenty big for your guests to spread out. If you are expecting cool temperatures, portable heaters can keep everyone cozy and comfortable in spite of the weather.
Let the Professionals Take Care of the Hard Stuff
Rather than spending your time going in and out of stores looking for the things that you need to throw an amazing party, you should let the professionals take care of these errands for you. Leaning on a rental company for your party needs will give you confidence that nothing falls through the cracks. This will also allow you to focus on the little details rather than being bogged down by having to set up for the event.
Using a party rental company can help to ensure that you have everything you need to throw a great party. Search in your area for local companies, for instance, if you live in New York you can search for NYC party rentals. Not only can you use the rental company for furniture, but you can also use it for dishware, linens, decorations, and other essentials for the big event.
Keeping Your Food and Drink Safe
This is not the time to go all out with a buffet. In today’s COVID-19 environment, it is important that you distribute food and drink in a compliant manner. One popular way to achieve this is to package the meals in boxes with individually wrapped silverware and distribute them to each guest.
Rather than self-serve drinking stations, consider offering individual bottles of water, cans of soda, or alcoholic beverages. Instead of serving a full birthday cake, cupcakes packaged individually are a better idea for safety reasons. Or consider serving wrapped ice cream sandwiches or popsicles for dessert for the kids. The goal is to minimize the number of hands touching the food offerings.
Choose a Theme with Social Distancing Built In
Choosing a theme that has social distancing protocols naturally built in will translate into an experience where people do not feel as if they are missing out on anything. For example, instead of a classic cocktail party that encourages mingling and close contact, choose a theme that promotes social distancing.
One particularly good idea is to host a movie night. Throw up a big screen in the backyard and invite your guests to put down a blanket at a distance from others. Or consider hosting an art party where everyone can sit at a safe distance and create a masterpiece with their own supplies.
Be Prepared with All of the COVID-19 Essentials
You can add another layer of protection to your socially distanced event by taking care to keep all of the COVID-19 essentials on hand. Encourage your guests to wear masks by providing them with custom face coverings that match the theme of the event. As a bonus, these masks make practical and fun party favors.
It is also recommended to place plenty of contactless hand sanitizing machines scattered around in convenient locations. This will encourage your guests to keep washing their hands. For an extra fun touch, send your guests home with individually wrapped soaps. You might as well lean into this unusual time and make the most of it.
While it will certainly be more of a challenge, it is not impossible to throw an amazing socially distanced party. By thinking outside of the box with safety as your primary concern, you will ensure that you pull off a great party during this unprecedented time.
