Today we’re talking about how to host a holiday (or really any type of) party – whether it’s virtual or safely socially/physically-distanced!
The first and most important step is to determine who you will invite and how you will host your party. If you’ve got elderly friends or relatives that you want to include, this is a good determining factor for you and will vary from family to family on what you are comfortable with. If your family is comfortable with meeting in a loved one’s home but keeping distance, then, by all means, this is a great option! If your family is being a little more cautious this holiday season, there are so many fun things you can arrange online via a video meet up!
The next step is to, of course, consider your guest list. While our 2020 gatherings have erred on the smaller side, take note of who is comfortable or willing to meet in person, or if video-chatting, consider helping the less-technologically savvy family members set up their video calling software beforehand so that no difficulties are experienced when it’s time for the fun to start!
Once you’ve got your guest list chosen, you’ll want to choose a theme, as well as some potential party ideas to get you started. Whether hosting virtually or in person, luckily things like an ugly sweater costume contest transfer perfectly either way! From escape rooms to game shows, the Internet, partnered with a little creativity, has shown us that social distancing cannot hold us back from fun with our family and friends!
After choosing your theme, events, and guests, the next step is to send those party invitations! While you can technically just text your guests where to be when, platforms that help hosts send e-vites (or if you want to get even fancier, paper invitations of the past!) can make a special impact, especially if certain elements of your party (like food) might be less than traditional. If you are the host of your family’s get-together, be sure to include all of the details about your event(s) within your invitations. If your guests are expected to bring an ugly sweater to show off, make sure to include that before you send out the final postmarked versions.
Once you have your invitations sent, it’s time to start planning the details! Providing some fun decorations; whether you are staying in for a virtual gathering or hosting/gathering elsewhere, decorations can add a certain pizazz to your event that really gets the excitement going. Since food sharing is not recommended, perhaps ordering in takeout or personalizing pizzas is a better option than that traditional carved turkey this year. If you’re video-chatting, consider having each host create a menu item to show off and share the recipe for during your event. While it’s not the “normal” holidays we are so accustomed to celebrating, there is beauty in the challenge for creativity that should not take away from any celebrations you may have.
2020 has been quite the year for the books, but we persevere when we find ways to adapt and overcome. Let’s make this holiday season be one of the best yet – and definitely one to remember!
If you need help brainstorming the perfect 2020 option for you, contact me today!
