All For A Party Tip

It’s a new year and all of us want nothing more than to be with our loved ones and mark special events with celebrations. Living normally, like we remember, pre-pandemic. But we are still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases continue to climb, more people still getting sick, needing to be hospitalized and even dying from this virus.

It is critical to take many precautions when hosting or attending any type of gathering during this time. During a pandemic, party favors definitely look different.

How to keep your loved ones safe while entertaining?

 -Have masks, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer on hand.

If you’re hosting a gathering, provide a face mask for each of your guests. They should wear it during their entire visit, except when they are actively drinking or eating.

-Providing cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer for guests to use is also a good idea for everyone’s safety. If you are a guest attending a gathering, be sure to bring these supplies in case the host or other guests have not thought of it.

Make social distancing as easy as possible

Even with your loved ones, practicing social distancing is critical in terms of stopping the spread of this virus. Social distancing means staying at least six feet away from those outside your immediate household.

 -Host your gathering in your backyard if you can. When your guests are outdoors, they will have more space to practice social distancing. Studies thus far have shown that COVID-19 doesn’t spread as much when people are outdoors. The air also dilutes any virus particles more quickly when people are outside.

Remind your guests to greet each other with a smile or wave rather than a hug or handshake. Consider making and posting signs about this throughout your event.

Keep your guest list small

At this time, community regulations about gatherings are changing as we see a spike in COVID-19 cases. When attending or hosting any gatherings, first make sure your plans do not conflict with your local government’s guidance. Keep your guest list as small as possible. If any of your guests are not feeling well or think they may have been exposed to COVID-19, tell them not to come.

Keep the list of your guests for the weeks to come. That way, if one of them does come down with COVID-19, you’ll be ready to help assist with any contact tracing for your guests.

Food safety is key

The safer option with a gathering is to avoid serving any food at all.

However, if you do decide to provide food, instead of a buffet, designate one person to serve the food to everyone else. When preparing the food, have everyone else stay away from the grill or kitchen.

Single-serve packets are important during a pandemic. This goes for condiments as well as food items, like chips. Disposable utensils, cups and plates are also great. Consider setting up a cooler full of drinks so people can serve themselves.

Keep your bathroom clean

Guests will need to wash their hands throughout their visit to help keep germs at bay. Providing a hand-washing station outside of your bathroom is the best option for this. If this is not possible, you’ll need to set some ground rules for your bathroom.

Replace cloth towels with paper towels for single use. Have cleaning supplies available so guests can wipe down light switches, sinks, doorknobs and toilet handles after they’re done. Also, make sure your guests never form a line by your bathroom.

Do you really need to host or attend this gathering?

The second wave of COVID-19 cases is upon us. so if you are going to celebrate take a moment and ask yourself, “do I really need to host or attend this event?”

Staying home with your immediate household members is the best way to keep everyone safe. This is especially true for individuals who are at high risk with COVID-19.

Consider other ways to connect with one another, such as texting, video chatting or phone calls. While this is not the same as in-person gatherings, it keeps all of your loved ones as safe as possible.

Entertainment

Virtual entertainment is a great option.  If you do provide live entertainment, it should encourage social distancing and safety. 

 You are hosting a party or event. It’s going to be the best one yet, complete with bounce house, pony rides and face painting! Here are some tips to make it easier for the face painting to go smoothly. (These tips may apply equally to other types of entertainers you hire.)

1.     Plan where the face painting is going to be. Make sure it is on level ground, with some type of cover. Inside works best as it eliminates the weather as a factor. But if outside, put the face painter under a pavilion, roofed patio, or ez-up. Trees do not count. Yes, they provide shade, but they also provide debris falling into the make-up. Also, right next to the cotton candy machine is a no go. All that sugar floating into the make-up is just asking for trouble.  

2.     Provide your face painter with things they will need. Although some artists will bring the entire set up, complete with tent, tables, and chairs, most do not. At minimum a four to six foot folding table and 2 chairs per artist should be provided. Some painters will stand to paint and bring their own tall chair (also known as a tall director’s chair.) When hiring a face painter find out what they will need from you.

3.     Make your face painter feel comfortable. Offer water, or something to drink. Tell them where the bathroom is, ask if they need anything. Most artists will work straight through and except for emergencies, don’t take bathroom or eating breaks.

4.     Talk to your face painter before the party. Let them know what other activities will be available to the guests. If it is an outdoor pool party in over 80 degree weather, traditional face paint may not be the ideal option. It washes or sweats off. Your face painter will have suggestions for the best services tailored to your event.

5.     Likewise, you want your guests to be able to enjoy all activities you have planned. Do you want activities to have a start and end; Or will guests be able to go to from one activity to the next? Since face painting normally is a one at a time activity, guests will line up and wait. Talk to your face painter about options to avoid that.

6.     Is your party being held in a public place? Are you providing entertainment for everyone or just those invited to the party? The face painter does not know who your invited guests are and who is a party crasher. There are many creative ways around this.  

7.     Do not expect your face painter, or other entertainers for that matter, to be babysitters for your guests. Their attention is on the child in front of them, or the task at hand. Even though face painting is fascinating to watch, and may keep your guests’ attention riveted on the creation of a masterful unicorn face, artists cannot also be crowd control.