After spending months cooped up at home away from friends and family, many of us are eager to socialize again and make the most of the summer before it ends. But of course, safety should always come first, even as the COVID numbers remain relatively low in many parts of Canada. To stay safe while having fun, here are some tips on how to entertain in your yard while social distancing.
No Hugs or Kisses
As much as you may want to hug and kiss friends and family, it’s best to still stick with “air hugs and kisses” for the time being. Will it be hard? Yes. But it’s important to keep everyone safe and healthy, and the less physical contact, the better.
Outline Rules Before Your Get Together
One thing we recommend doing ahead of your get together is going over any house rules. Make it clear that it will be a social distancing party, and for everyone to respect the rules and keep 2 meters apart from those who are attending from other households.
Set Up Chairs
Before your guests arrive, set up your backyard so it’s ready for people to sit down while keeping apart safely from one another. Ask people to keep their chairs where they are and prop up some smaller tables that can be placed nearby as well if you plan on serving food.
Serve the Food
Speaking of food, if you’re planning to fire up the barbeque, instead of setting up a buffet-style, it’s better to have one person serve the food instead. This makes it easier and less likely for cross-contamination. If you feel the need to wear a mask when dishing out the food, go ahead and do it. You should never feel uncomfortable about prioritizing safety.
Have Sanitizer Ready
Your guests will likely have to use the bathroom at some point. This can be a tricky situation if they have to go through your home. But an easy way to make it safer is by placing some sanitizer by the door so they can sanitize their hands before heading inside and afterwards. And of course, encourage everyone to follow the 20 secondhand washing rule since it’s the best way to eliminate germs.
BYOB
BYOB has been part of the norm when entertaining, so it shouldn’t feel weird when asking your guests to bring their own beverages along. If you want to take additional precautions, you could ask them to bring a glass along too for your happy hour.
With a few adjustments, you can still enjoy the company of those you love and soak in the remaining summer months. If you want to get your landscape ready prior to hosting, give us a call at Hansen Lawn and Gardens. We can transform your yard and get it ready for entertaining!