5 Ideas for safer holiday gatherings describes suggestions as you prepare for entertaining this holiday season.
As the pandemic continues, our homes are increasingly becoming our refuge.
With the holidays approaching, many people are opting for virtual gatherings or significantly scaling-back when hosting celebrations. Fortunately, SW Floridians can enjoy the outdoors year-round. And now more than ever, this holiday season is a great time to take advantage of our outdoor space.
Below are five suggestions to consider as you plan an outdoor get-together:
5 Ideas for Safer Holiday Gatherings: Take advantage of your lanai.
Outdoor living spaces are the safest option for any gathering. In fact, this enables airflow and ample space to distance. If our weather cooperates with cool temperatures, you can open your sliders and connect to your indoor space. Make it a priority to arrange tables at a distance to keep guests comfortable and safe.
Create a festive ambience.
String lighting and holiday décor will create an upbeat and welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, fire pits provide an ideal focal point for loved ones to visit and reconnect. And go ahead and arrange a self-serve Tiki bar for guests to mix their own drinks to their liking.
5 Ideas for Safer Holiday Gatherings: Food taste better cooked outside.
Most outdoor entertainment areas include outdoor kitchens with ovens, refrigerators, and wet bars to help reduce any need to go inside. Therefore, consider cooking on your grill, The Green Egg, or in a deep fryer. Similarly, the presence of an outdoor bar/sink will also reinforce frequent handwashing.
BYOF.
Bring Your Own Food…dishes, drinks, and utensils. Buffets are not recommended this year, so BYOF is a reasonable request. You can still socialize and entertain even with safety measures in place.
Prefer not to cook?
Carry-out is a viable option. Most importantly, be sure to keep all food portions and utensils separate to help reduce the spread of germs.
Specify one bath for guests.
Supply disposable cloths instead of towels. Be sure plenty of wipes and hand sanitizer are on hand in and outside.
Remind guests of safety protocol with a note requesting the doorknob to be wiped down on their way out.
It’s smart to set the expectations up front. Let your guests know the rules ahead of time and explain your safety measures. In this way, your guests will feel honored for the invite and in turn, respect the boundaries you’ve put in place.
Although the holidays will look different this year, your home can remain a haven for celebrations whether it be virtually or in small gatherings.
When the time is right, look to our team for advice on the addition of a new space, reimagining indoor-outdoor living areas, or remodeling your entire home.
Count on us to make it a rewarding experience to help your vision come to life. Contact Jason Richardson, 239 694 8889. From our family to yours, we wish you a safe and Happy Holiday!
Limiting the number of guests and wearing masks is recommended by the CDC. Be sure to stay up to date on CDC requirements.
Information good as of 11/20/20
