Planning Intimate Parties During The Pandemic

The ber months have finally arrived, which means that the horizon is filled with thoughts of get-togethers, reunions, parties, and seasonal events. While it’s normally a time to scrimp and save for upcoming birthdays and Christmas, the pandemic has gravely changed the feeling of the last quarter of the year. Last year, holiday music would be playing in every establishment–but now, many are thinking twice before stepping out and purchasing decorations.

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While gatherings, in general, should entirely be out of the question, the reality isn’t always very convenient. Some people will insist on a get-together, and if you or your family is one of them, then it’s best to ensure that intimate parties are thoughtfully-planned to accommodate the restraints of the current climate. That may mean choosing to invite four people instead of twelve or keeping the celebrations between those who live under the same roof. Regardless, safety should always come first in a time of health risks and uncertainty.

Narrowing down the guest list

A year ago, a birthday party meant inviting all family and friends and their plus ones. Now, it’s about narrowing down your guest list to the number of people who can stay six-feet apart inside your home or yard and filtering out people who can’t comply with safety measures. Being cognizant of the risk toward not only yourself but also to your guests should be the top priority. Don’t invite people with compromised immunities due to health or age, and if you have a tita who doesn’t take the virus seriously, then it’s best to invite them to join online instead of in-person.

While inviting guests, be firm about non-negotiable rules such as whether or not children can mingle or how much safety equipment is necessary when performing specific activities. Keep the guest list public to the invitees so that everyone can assess whether or not they’re comfortable with whoever else is projected to attend.

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For instance, knowing a 70-year old grandmother will be in attendance might not sit well with a guest and can urge them to refuse. You may also want to obtain each guest’s exposure history and let others know beforehand. Respecting their evaluation of the risk is important in these difficult times.

Safety measures

It’s pertinent to ensure that all guests are as safe as possible from exposure to COVID-19. That entails disrupting the transmission of droplets by wearing protective gear such as masks, face shields, and gloves, and staying at least six feet apart regardless of the activity. While it may feel odd at first, it’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s also best to ensure that all guests have tested negative before visiting.

You have to be firm about the required protective gear to attend the party and refuse to allow those who don’t comply to enter. By doing so, you respect the safety of the guests who follow strict protective measures.

A fun way to enforce safety is to provide loot bags containing the necessary protective equipment, sanitizing wipes, and alcohol, so if a stubborn guest forgets to gear up, you have them covered. Sanitize the common area and limit the guests’ exposure to other rooms of the venue. If you plan to host activities, don’t use materials that are difficult to sanitize, such as board games.

Food

Food is a sensitive component of any gathering as it’s one of the instances where guests have no choice but to remove their masks. Potluck is completely out of the question. Don’t encourage guests to bring their share of food or dessert as it can be difficult to regulate safety. On the same note, don’t serve buffet-style meals. Prepare individual portions and use disposable plates, cutlery, cups, and straws. It should minimize the sanitation and cleaning-up necessary before and after the party.

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Assign people to serve food during the entirety of the gathering. They should be in full protective gear and solely be in charge of distributing food, disallowing anyone else to touch the serving plates and cutlery. This system will allow guests to ask for seconds, but if not possible, consider pre-packing the food and making extras for big eaters.

Bathroom use

It’s risky to open up all your bathrooms to guests, so designate a specific bathroom for them to use. Have disinfecting spray ready and remind guests to spray up before and after entering. Remove bar soaps, reusable towels, and other items that you personally use to avoid unnecessary contact. Instead, provide hand sanitizer, hand soap in a pump, tissues, and alcohol. You can also offer reusable toilet covers for an extra layer of security.

Limit alcohol

Let’s face it–drunk guests are difficult to handle, even without a pandemic heightening the risk by a thousandfold. While a glass of wine won’t hurt, being firm about alcohol intake limitations is key to controlling the environment before it gets out of hand. Keep bottles out of reach and serve no more than the limit you set prior. On that note, don’t plan gatherings specifically for drinking as safety measures are, more often than not, ignored with an alcohol-infused mind.

READ: What You Should Do When Exposed to a COVID-19 Patient?

Set a schedule

In the past, staying over after-hours was the norm, especially to get all the coveted gossip from your favorite titas and cousins. Nowadays, you may want to keep the gossip sessions digital, as it’s best to keep a strict schedule of the gathering to keep the exposure to others as short as possible. That means serving food at noon and ending at 3 PM if that’s what the invitation specifies. It’ll also allow guests to decide whether they’d like to stay the entire time or only come to cut the cake or say happy birthday.

Cost

Planning intimate parties are cheaper than the norm because you only have to accommodate a limited number of people and host a few activities. While food and hosting costs are lower, you’ll have to shell out extra for protective gear and disposables. For a small gathering with less than ten people, you’ll have to provide the following extras for safety:

1. Alcohol–P100 to P500 for a 1L bottle. You may need a few to repack into smaller containers or purchase minis for around P50 each.
2. Disinfecting Spray–P100 to P200 per bottle.
3. Masks–P50 to P100 per box when you purchase from suppliers or wholesalers.
4. Gloves–P250 to P500 for around 50 pieces of surgical gloves.
5. Disposable plates and utensils–Less than P100 for over 50 pieces.

Final thoughts:

It can be mentally difficult to stay cooped up and away from family and friends for an extended period, especially knowing that the coronavirus isn’t disappearing despite the holidays being just around the corner. Trust is key in any gatherings amid the pandemic, so think twice before deciding to host a gathering or opt for a digital one instead. If you can’t help but set up an in-person party, ensure that you follow the thoughtful measures above to protect yourself and your guests.

This post is originally published on GoBear PH blog.