Before You Gather

Before planning a menu and picking out decorations, prepare a few important things to ensure everyone’s health and safety, following local mandates. For indoor-only celebrations, limit the number of guests to a small group. For outdoor gatherings, you may have a few more guests, but keep the list small to ensure everyone can stay at least 6 feet apart.

Who Will Attend? Determine who will attend your holiday celebration. Ensure everyone is aligned on health and safety. Consider the number of people and their ages. Will it be mostly adults, or will there be children too? Assess the risk levels if guests are arriving from another county or state. Ensure safe accommodations for those planning to travel. If hosting overnight, provide enough space for privacy, social distancing, and proper hygiene.

Eating and Socializing: Practice smart social distancing while eating and entertaining. If the weather permits, host your meal or party outside for better ventilation. If indoors, arrange seating so everyone is at least 6 feet apart. Encourage mask-wearing when not eating and avoid group photos or close gatherings.

Overnight Guests: Plan ahead for overnight guests by setting up a spare room. Stock the guest bathroom with towels and toiletries. Ask guests to put their towels and linens into the washing machine themselves to minimize contact. Provide disinfecting wipes and ask guests to wipe down surfaces like the toilet and bathroom vanity after each use.

Set Up Rules in Advance: Lay down ground rules ahead of time so all guests are on the same page. Send these rules in a group email and post them on a large piece of poster board or paper in your home. Ensuring everyone follows the same guidelines is key to keeping everyone safe during and after the festivities.

During the Stay

When hosting guests, follow the current rules and safety guidelines in your state. Once your plans are in place, there are several things you can do to prioritize safety:

  • Provide everyone with tools to stay safe, including extra masks, small bottles of hand sanitizer, and plenty of antibacterial soap. Place large markers on the floor to ensure social distancing.
  • Maintain a safe distance of at least six feet from everyone and limit the number of people going in and out of the kitchen while preparing food. Apply the same rule to the front or back door.
  • Designate one person as the server during the festivities to eliminate the traditional line or crowd around food.
  • Encourage everyone to wash and sanitize their hands frequently. Promote safe handling around food and drinks and remind guests to follow proper safety behaviors throughout the party.
  • Use the largest part of your home as the dining area, temporarily converting your living room if needed. Keep the home well-ventilated by opening windows or cracking them if possible.
  • If the weather permits, use your garage as a comfy lounge space. This area is better ventilated than the interior of the home and provides more space for social distancing.
  • Designate a few parts of your home as standing areas only. Create a comfortable separate “safe space” for older or elderly attendees.

Safe Host and Maximize Space

Overnight Guests

Guests from out of town may visit as long as it’s allowed in their (and your) state and local area per current guidelines. If you’re hosting someone overnight, be a safe host by practicing extra safety precautions. Clean and disinfect commonly touched areas like doorknobs, countertops, and tables. Plan ahead to maximize space and create a comfortable and safe environment for your guests.

  • Maximize home spaces by clearing out your home to make more room. Rearrange furniture, get rid of excess clutter, and put clothes away to keep everything neat and tidy.
  • Consider investing in an air mattress and ensure you have plenty of clean, comfortable bedding like cozy blankets and soft sheets.
  • Make the spare room sleep-friendly by providing a fan and positioning the mattress near a lamp so guests can easily see or read before bed.
  • Stock up your bathroom with necessities like shampoo and soap. Include extra safety items like masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes.
  • Fold the sheets and put the mattress away during the day to create more space. This quick, easy step opens up your home and provides more room for everyone to stretch out and stay distanced as needed

After the Celebration

Once the festivities are over, practice a few extra steps to keep yourself and your family safe:

  • Clean your home thoroughly after guests leave. Wear gloves to avoid touching items like glassware that people have used. It’s best to use disposable dinnerware and cups when possible.
  • Sanitize social areas, including commonly touched areas like the bathroom and kitchen. Don’t forget to wipe doorknobs and appliance handles. Use high-quality disinfecting products. Wash all bedding and towels at the hottest temperature setting to kill germs.
  • If possible, use touchless garbage cans with a foot pedal. Wear gloves when cleaning and keep everything sanitized. Dispose of all garbage immediately, including uneaten food, paper plates, and napkins. Seal the bag and put it outside.
  • Pay close attention to how you feel a few days after your gathering. Be familiar with the common symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if you’re concerned.

While the holidays may look different this year, you can still spend time with loved ones. Follow state guidelines regarding gatherings and coronavirus. Ensure you have plenty of space for everyone to stay 6 feet apart and enforce simple ground rules like mask-wearing and sanitizing. Provide extra safety items and keep guests’ comfort in mind. With a few updates and easy changes, you can enjoy the holidays safely without missing out on being with the people you love most