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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.

How to Host a Virtual Party

How to Host a Virtual Party

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, events around the country have been postponed indefinitely. With no immediate end in sight, it almost feels like we’ll all be trapped indoors for the rest of the year.

Fortunately, just because there’s a pandemic doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! A virtual party allows you to see friends and family from the comfort and safety of home. In this article, we’re going to show you some tips and tricks to make sure that your virtual event goes smoothly.

Step One: Choose a Hosting Platform

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These days, Zoom is the primary software of choice, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only option. Alternatives can include Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger Groups, Skype, and even a program called House Party.

Before hosting your event, we recommend trying each of these platforms to see what works best, both for yourself and for guests. Some of them will require users to set up an account. Others, like Zoom, allow newbies to call in for a specific meeting without having to sign up. Depending on the size and scope of your event, it may be best to choose a platform that doesn’t require login credentials from everyone.

Step Two: Focus Your Virtual Party

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When hosting an in-person gathering, it’s easy to have multiple things going on simultaneously. For example, perhaps there’s a photo booth, some hosted games, and a cocktail lounge. This kind of setup allows guests to move through the party during the night and keeps things exciting.

With a virtual party, however, you have a captive audience and you don’t have the ability to offer multiple attractions. So, you’ll have to focus your event around a single theme or purpose. Some examples can include:

  • Graduation Party – Celebrate the grads with some virtual games and a slideshow of his or her time in high school.
  • Happy Hour – Play some drinking games with friends, such as Never Have I Ever.
  • Bingo Night – Nothing’s easier than calling some Bingo numbers while everyone follows along with digital cards.
  • Trivia Night – Since bars are still closed, a trivia night with friends and co-workers can keep the event flowing smoothly. For best results, offer small prizes that can be mailed easily.

Overall, we recommend limiting your event to around one hour or 90 minutes. Because there can be so many distractions at home, you want to keep your guests engaged as much as possible. This is harder with longer virtual events.

Step Three: Do a Practice Run

Because virtual events rely on technology, you can’t always be sure that everything will run smoothly. Once you choose a platform, we recommend setting up a small meeting with close friends or family. This way, you can anticipate any problems that guests will run into and address them before the night of the event. You can also set up your background ahead of time and see how it looks to others. Whether it’s virtual or physical, having a funky backdrop will make your event a little brighter. Also, it makes it easier for guests to see you in the gallery view.

Step Four: Create an Event Itinerary

While this step isn’t always necessary, drafting an itinerary can help you stay focused and on point throughout the night. Otherwise, it’s too easy for the event to become a mishmash of people trying to talk over one another, which can make it less fun. For example, a sample itinerary for a Trivia Night could include:

  • 6 pm – Opening Remarks/Welcome
  • 6:15 pm – First Round of Questions
  • 6:30 pm – Second Round of Questions
  • 6:45 pm – Third Round of Questions
  • 7 pm – 10 min Break
  • 7:10 pm – Final Round of Questions
  • 7:25 pm – Winner Announcements/Prize Giveaway
  • 7:40 pm – Closing Remarks

Other Options to Create Engagement

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Since you can’t interact with everyone physically, you have to get creative with ways to engage your guests. Some options can include:

  • Costumes – Have everyone dress in a costume related to the night’s theme. Offer a small prize for the best-dressed guests.
  • Signature Drink –?Come up with a cocktail selection and send the recipe to everyone beforehand.
  • Virtual Backgrounds –?Platforms like Zoom enable users to create a virtual backdrop. Like costumes, you can pick a winner based on the most creative backgrounds.
  • Breakout Rooms –?Zoom also has the option for breakout rooms, which enables small groups to meet individually. This option can come in handy so you can have multiple activities going on simultaneously, or groups can converse with each other for game night. These rooms offer some privacy and flexibility for your event.

Contact The Party Team Today

If you’re interested in hosting a virtual event, we can help you find the best options for your group. Whether you’re trying to have a party with friends, co-workers, or a nonprofit, we know what it takes to make your night a hit. Call us today to find out more, or visit our virtual events page here.