Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate with your loved ones. While this cheerful season is something that we look forward to, with the pandemic still lingering on, it may not be as thrilling in 2020 as it usually is.
Whether its a corporate Christmas party or a smaller, more sedate event with close family and friends, our regular parties could be under a threat unless the rules on gathering of more than six people are lifted. But this doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy one of the most wonderful times of the year, while following the current Covid guidelines set by the authorities. After all, it’s a time to share with our loved ones. A time where we have the opportunity to bless others in need. A time to celebrate the most precious gift give to humanity, a gift of love, grace and mercy.
This only means that we will have to celebrate in a more low-key fashion this year. Therefore, keeping that in mind, here are a few Christmas party ideas that you can use during the pandemic and celebrate yet another year of togetherness, even through these difficult times.
Traditional Holiday Parties For Smaller Groups
The annual Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be skipped this year. To keep things as close to normal as possible, host a holiday party with your very favourite few people. But if narrowing this list becomes challenging, then host an in-person holiday party in two or more groups. This will ensure you’re spending time together with your loved ones, while keeping the social distancing rules in place.
We also suggest being thoughtful about this year’s holiday menu. Instead of buffets, offer individual meal boards. Offer hand sanitizing wipes wrapped together with their silverware and napkins. Find a creative and festive way to brand these items together.
You can also offer a luxury selection of prepackaged holiday dinners (with take out feeling). We suggest avoiding food serving handles that multiple guests touch at a time.
Consider Open Air Options
We saw this earlier this year with a lot of events being held outdoors in backyards, parks, beaches etc. Think about planning an early holiday event outdoors this year. Install heaters and fire pits, where allowed, to warm up your guests. To add a nice detail to your outdoor dinner, you can offer personalized blankets as a Christmas present for your guests. This will make sure your guests are warm and cozy during the dinner, and it will ensure that each person is using their own blanket to keep the sanitary guidelines in place.
Have Fun Activities or Games
Regardless of whether the holiday event is indoors or outdoors, plan to have some fun with your guests. Come up with some creative game ideas. The sillier the games, the better! Try some cookie decorating competitions, trivia games, pictionary, or charades. People will love to play and laugh together, so be sure to add a big dosage of fun.
Gift a Toy
Spread the joy by giving unwrapped toys or used toys to charitable institutions. Nothing can be compared to the happiness you get doing a good deed. It is the reason for the season, and this year, it’s even more important to share the joy with those who may not be as fortunate as the rest of us.
Christmas Movie Night
Bring back the nostalgia with a dinner theatre show that follows mandatory safety protocols. Make a list of movies that can be watched with some popcorn and delicious Christmas goodies. You can alternate between different groups of friends or family and watch your favourite movies together. Pour in some complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows and see your show sells out.
Virtual Game Night
Begin your Holiday season with a Holiday game night. Line up a set of games that can be organized online and participants can easily take part in it. Come up with some creative game ideas. Try Christmas bingo, Christmas movie trivia, pictionary or charades. You can download an app on your phone or use an online party pack from Jackbox, so your guests can use their phones to answer and virtually participate.
From a traditional Christmas party to a movie night, whichever idea you choose, ensure to make your party a memorable and safe one. Have fun with your family and friends, and don’t forget to capture the memories you create this Christmas.