Post-Pandemic Entertaining Do's & Don'ts
It's been like the Hogwarts staircase of etiquette when it comes to the post-pandemic emergence with rules changing near daily. We're all at different comfort levels and re-entering society at our own pace, which needs normalization. So here's how to throw a Memorial Day Party as shared with Fox 5’s Good Day DC, with less stress and more acceptance!
Gathering Do’s and Don’ts Etiquette
Don't assume everybody is ready for a hug.
Don't single out someone for wearing a mask.
Do offer to bring something that could help the host--because our NEW parties require extra planning.
Do respect that everyone is at different comfort levels, and THAT's SUPER OKAY!
Do think about space: how you can give space to others while protecting your own personal space.
Set down expectations in the invite:
If you are hosting indoors and would like people to wear masks say so! If you'd like people to maintain 3-feet distance or 6-feet distance while they are outside, write it down. If you are following CDC guidelines in asking unvaccinated people to wear a mask indoors, then make that clear too. Transparency is important, and it is your home after all. Just let people know the rules of your party prior to inviting them over, and if they wish to decline they can.
Make a cute mask basket
If you'd like people to mask up, make sure you have some extras on hand for those who forget. You can make a cute mask basket along with other first aid supplies like sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer and bandaids, to take the emphasis off the masks and make it more about health, wellness and safety!
We are natural social gatherers (kitchen counter anyone?), so Set Up Stations
We naturally tend to gravitate where people are. So break that up! Make a drink station far away from a food station far away from a snack station far away from a beverage station: spread things out & keep people moving!
Speaking of Food, Avoid the Dip Bowl & Finger Foods
Ditch anything shared. Swap out the Punch Bowl for a Dispenser instead.
Don't do passed appetizer trays where guests have to touch the food.
Large platters of food with tongs? Yes!
Offer up Dippin' cups for individually portioned servings that people can enjoy! I did this recently for my tennis team after a match, where we had a socially distanced social!
Servin' It Up
Keeping your foodservice pristine and clean with environmentally recyclable flatware and plates for guests will be appreciated by all!
Still really scared? Make it a Progressive Party
For those still nervous about hosting multiple people but still wanting to SEE FRIENDS, consider a progressive party, where each guest family gets a different arrival time: they stay for an hour and then move on, and the next family arrives, and so on.
Take this tip from my dentist: offer mouth rinse in your bathroom.
Place a bottle of mouthwash in your bathroom with small cups and a sign like “Swish for your Health!” that encourages people to use some mouthwash rinse! It's supposed to help in mitigating viral droplets when you speak.
A Party with Kids
Make Sport Activities More One-on-One
Kids get bored easily so they need something to do, but avoid team sports that would involve lots of physical contact. Set up a spot for two kids to throw a football, for two kids to play dominoes for two kids to do a flag craft at a small cardboard table. Water balloons are rather also perfect for this unique season we are in! Make sure you have enough activities to keep everyone occupied and encourage them to rotate every so often while keeping the fun to small groups.
American Flag Football, $15, kohls.com
Giant Dominoes, $30, kohls.com
Screen an Outdoor Movie!
Click here to watch the segment and hear all of the tips!
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