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How to Host a Party in 2020

How to Host a Party in 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the country, lockdowns and quarantine have become the norm. Now, after months of being cooped up inside, many people are ready for some face-to-face interactions. However, while you may be itching to socialize with others, you need to be sure that you’re doing it safely.

In this article, we’re going to outline the best recommendations for hosting a party during the pandemic. Overall, the goal is to minimize the risks as much as possible. With that in mind, here’s what you can do.

As a note, please consult your local guidelines and restrictions to ensure that you are staying compliant. Because things can change quickly, it’s crucial to keep in mind that plans may be in flux for the time being.

Keep it Small and Intimate

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Even as local lockdown restrictions start to ease, hosting a big party with tons of people is not the best option. Ideally, you will be able to maintain social distancing guidelines or at least have the ability for guests to stay spread out during the event. According to the CDC, the biggest risk factor for spreading COVID-19 is close contact with others in an indoor setting.

As a rule, you’ll want to plan for half capacity wherever you decide to host your event. So, if the place can hold 50 people, book 25. This tactic will make it much easier to manage the party and mitigate any potential dangers.

Utilize Single-Serving Options

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Another way to minimize the spread of COVID-19 is to reduce the number of touchpoints. For example, a buffet is dangerous because multiple people are handling the same utensils and serving from the same dishes. The more areas where people can congregate and touch the same items, the more likely that the virus can move between hosts.

So, you’ll want to make everything as single-service as possible. Instead of cloth napkins, use paper towels. Instead of buffet-style catering, everyone should get an individually-wrapped dish. While you may not be able to do this for everything, you can get creative with workarounds. Also, it helps to have plenty of hand sanitizer around so that guests can wipe down after touching various surfaces.

Host Your Event Outside

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Because indoor venues can be riskier, it’s better to host your party outdoors. Fortunately, with the summer heat, an outdoor shindig can be quite pleasant. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a public park, or a rooftop bar, staying outside is going to be your safest option for hosting a COVID-free event.

When hosting an outdoor gathering, keep these elements in mind:

  • Shade – Standing in direct sunlight is never fun. Be sure to provide canopies or shelters for guests to use.
  • Food – If you’re serving hot food, you have to keep it at a safe temperature. Store food in either a cooler or an ice bath so it doesn’t spoil.
  • Fans/Misters – When the weather really heats, up, guests need a way to cool down. High-velocity fans and misters can make a world of difference.

Use a Signal System

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Although safety is a priority, some guests may be more casual about it than others. While some individuals may choose to socially distance the whole time, others might prefer to shake hands or give hugs.

An easy way to help guests know what is appropriate is with a signaling system. This system can be as easy as multi-colored wristbands. For example, red bands mean “stay six feet away,” yellow means “elbow bumps only,” and green means “all interactions are welcome.” You can give these out to people as they arrive so that there is no confusion or conflict throughout the event.

Wear Masks

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Because COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, wearing a mask is the best defense. According to the CDC, if all guests wear masks, the chance of spreading the virus is minimal, particularly when following social distancing and cleaning guidelines. These days, most people are used to wearing them in public, but we recommend offering masks to guests if possible. This way, everyone can have fun without worrying too much.

Hire the Professionals

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Finally, if you want to have a party that everyone will remember, it helps to have hosted games. Fortunately, the Party Team is qualified to provide clean and safe entertainment for your event. With masks, temperature scanners, sanitizing stations, and UV wands, we can keep you and your guests safe while you’re having fun.

By following these recommendations, it is possible to host a party during a pandemic. Call the Party Team today to see what options we can offer.

5 Reasons to Host an Outdoor Company Picnic This Summer

5 Reasons to Host an Outdoor Company Picnic This Summer

As the weather warms up, it’s time to celebrate in the great outdoors. From concerts to sporting events, nothing beats being in the fresh air with friends and family. Although the summer of 2020 is a far cry from years past, there is still the potential for having outdoor fun.?Today we’re going to highlight the benefits of hosting a company picnic this summer. Yes, COVID-19 has derailed plans since early spring, but with the right tools and precautions, this summer can be just as entertaining as before. Here are our top reasons to host an outdoor event this year.?

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Build a Sense of Community?

Unlike company holiday parties, outdoor picnics are a perfect venue for families and children. Since the event is open to all ages, more employees are willing to come, since they don’t have to find a babysitter for the night.?

Getting to see co-workers and their families outside of the office can strengthen the bonds between teams and departments and those between employees and supervisors. In many cases, seeing individuals as regular people beyond the confines of inter-office politics and relationships can make them more approachable.?

To help facilitate this bonding, we recommend having hosted entertainment with some light competition. When families or co-workers can play together, they are more likely to work better in the office. Without games and challenges, it’s harder to bring disparate employees and their families together.?

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Demonstrate Company Values

As a company, you need to have a core mission statement. What motivates your business to thrive and succeed in the marketplace? Is it a dedication to customer service? Pride in the quality of your products? A company picnic allows you to demonstrate that mission statement and put it on full display. Best of all, by showcasing these elements to employees and their families, you can illustrate the value of working for the brand.?

Overall, a company picnic is an excellent opportunity to create fun and positive memories for your workers. With the right kind of entertainment offerings, you can build a sense of camaraderie that can last the whole year. Plus, if your picnic becomes an annual tradition, it will be something that employees and families look forward to every summer.?

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Team-Building Opportunity

As we mentioned, one of the best ways to ensure engagement at a company picnic is to host interactive games and competitions. As long as you have decent prizes available, you’ll be surprised by how competitive employees can get. Light competition can be a powerful motivator, and it helps facilitate shared experiences.?

When it comes to team-building, it’s beneficial to have groups that generally work together, as well as those that don’t. Some team ideas can include:?

  • Family vs. Family
  • Workers vs. Supervisors
  • Managers vs. Managers
  • Department vs. Department

Not only can competition help build community among employees, but it can offer insight into leadership capabilities. For companies that like to promote from within, company picnic games can be an excellent forum for scouting talent.?

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Show Appreciation for Employees

No matter what industry you’re in, your staff members work hard throughout the year. In the time of COVID-19, the challenges that individuals and families face are even more significant than before. Kids are home all the time, fear and anxiety are rampant, and many people struggle to adapt to life under quarantine.?

With a company picnic, you can help alleviate much of that stress while offering a fun and safe activity for employees and their children. Everyone can blow off some steam, enjoy the fresh air, and get reminded of what it’s like to be social again. Plus, during the event, you can give away prizes and shoutouts to those employees and departments that have gone above and beyond this year.?

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2020 Bonus: It’s Socially Distant!

At The Party Team, we want everyone to have a great time, but we’re also committed to providing a safe environment for our guests. Outdoor company picnics offer a golden opportunity for co-workers to engage without the fear of catching the coronavirus. Not only is the virus less potent in the open air, but if guests are wearing masks, the risk goes down even more. With a little bit of extra planning and preparation, your company picnic can be a resounding success without the specter of COVID looming over the event.?

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Contact The Party Team Today

If you’re interested in having a hosted picnic, we’re here to help! We offer a variety of interactive games to ensure that your guests stay engaged the whole time. We’re also offering COVID-19 related precautions, such as masks, sanitizer stations, and UV wands. We’ll work with you to make sure that your event runs smoothly and safely. Give us a call today, or visit us online at www.thepartyteam.com/picnic-games.?