Ah, a dinner party. Do you remember what it felt like when people could congregate at home without the fear of a passer-by knocking on the door asking why you’re potentially spreading a deadly virus? Those were the days! While the pandemic is by no means over, the country is starting to ease its way into a new future, which means dinner parties are back on the menu. However, there are a few caveats that you need to factor in before sending out your invites. With that in mind, here are four ways to set up your property so that your socially-distanced gathering is a roaring success.
By Team Savant
Image: Lee Myungseong
Top Up Your Stock From The Internet
You’ve got to get stuff in, yet you don’t want to put yourself in the midst of a health crisis. Thankfully, there’s a straightforward solution - online shopping. Whether it’s snacks or plates and cutlery, food and home decor and homewares available online at the click of a button. All you need to do is ensure that it will be delivered on time and that you’re home when the driver knocks on the door. That way, you can swerve the unnecessary gathering at the supermarket that only serves to put shoppers in harm’s way. Of course, that means your guests are at risk, too.
Buy Lots Of Wipes
There aren’t many cases of people catching Coronavirus as a result of touching another surface; however, it’s nice to provide your guests with peace of mind. That’s the main reason to make sure there are plenty of antibacterial wipes to hand as a quick spruce will kill whatever germs are lurking. Alternatively, if you want to be more sustainable, you can opt for hand sanitiser as it only includes a small plastic bottle that you can reuse if necessary.
Send Digital Invites
Only a maximum of six people are allowed anyway, so your invitations won’t be plentiful! Even if there aren’t that many, it’s only right that you send them electronically. A quick email, while it doesn’t have the gloss and shine or a physical piece of paper, is enough to gauge whether your friends and loved ones will attend. The same goes for a phone call or a text message. To add personality, you should call using video-calling software and do it remotely yet face-to-face!
Serve Dinner Outside
The rules are confusing, but the thing to remember is that you can legally host an event of fewer than thirty people if everyone can distance socially. The garden is obviously the best place, so you should set up the yard with a table and chairs. As well as the basics, you can entertain your guests and keep them comfortable with an outdoor heater. If the weather is due to be unpredictable, don’t forget a gazebo or overhead shelter that will keep out the wind and rain.
Above, do your best to have fun. It’s been a long couple of months and everyone deserves some relief, and a dinner party with friends is the ideal solution at the moment.