TIPS FOR THROWING A COVID SAFE HOLIDAY PARTY IN 2021

Written By Joey Mucha

Joey The Cat has teamed up with the top professionals in the The Bay Area event industry to make sure we are throwing the safest parties in town. Here are a few of the measures we use to ensure our guests have a safe time. As you begin to plan your holiday parties this year, consider these valuable planning tips:

  • SIZE IT UP: 

    Consider the size of your party. If last year you had a party for 150 guests, this year reduce that number by 25-50%. Alternatively, you could keep the same guest count but increase your venue size by 50%. 

  • LOOK UP!

    While the square footage of a venue may be a crucial component, do not forget to consider the space above you! The height of the ceiling directly correlates to the quality of air circulation during your event. Low ceilings will not allow as much circulation as those venue spaces that have higher ceilings, such as lofts or warehouses.

  • FLOW:

    Spaces with high ceilings are a great advantage, but how well the air is allowed to flow throughout the space is just as important. Be certain to ask your venue or event planner what they are doing to increase their airflow during your event. A quick and affordable solution for those entertaining at your home is to simply install two fans in a larger window, one facing inward, one facing outward, as well as leaving a front and rear door open to create strong cross ventilation.

  • SIMPLIFY: 

    Consider how you arrange your tables and chairs. Communal seated dinners are out and standing is in for holiday parties this year. Start by removing 50% of the chairs and furnishings within your space. Allowing the majority of your guests to be standing and circulating for the duration of the event allows each guest to easily choose the distance at which they are comfortable interacting with other guests. 

  • STOPLIGHT SOCIALIZING: 

    For holiday parties that are outside of family and friends, consider wearing small color coded pins or stickers. Guests wearing green are open to close socialization, hugs and handshakes, guests wearing yellow prefer to stay a few feet apart and those wearing red would like to remain as distant as possible from others while still being able to be a part of the festivities.

  • STAY CLEAN: 

    Add a few sanitization stations throughout your space. This might consist of a large bottle of hand sanitizer as well as spare masks, if guests feel more comfortable wearing one after arriving. We recommend one station for every 20 guests. Placement at high touch locations such as the entrance, bar and any catering setup you may have is best. For an extra layer of care, consider designating a friend or hiring a bartender to serve drinks and an attendant for the catering setup to ensure the cleanliness of all the plates, utensils and cups.

Announcing in your party invitation about the safety initiatives you are taking to add an extra layer of protection for your guests is crucial to making everyone feel safe, resulting in more guests attending and those that do attend to feel comfortable staying longer.

Your holiday parties can be safe, yet still fun for all those that attend with these easy steps! 


If you are looking for an event space that implements all these suggestions or would like additional tips from our team of event pros - consider configuring your own event and get more info.

Joey Mucha