Christmas is a time of warmth and community. It is a time to gather with loved ones to celebrate the season and feel close to one another. Although recent public health concerns have prevented families from celebrating with their loved ones in person, the situation is slowly improving, allowing people to gather together again for the holidays.
As you prepare for your Christmas celebration, it is important to consider how you can get together with loved ones while keeping everyone safe and healthy. Whether that means sending a personalized Christmas ornament featuring your family to those who can’t make it or taking extra cleaning precautions, implementing these seven safety tips for celebrating Christmas in person again ensures that your gathering is safe, responsible and fun.
1. Limit the Number of Guests
To protect your guests, it is essential that you limit the number of people you invite to your Christmas celebration. The fewer people you invite to your home, the more you reduce the risk of spreading any type of airborne viruses, such as COVID-19 or influenza. Too many people means increased contact with each other and with surfaces in your living areas, so it is a good idea to invite as few extra guests as possible.
According to the holiday gathering recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best course of action is to celebrate with people who already live with you or host the event outdoors. Depending on the size of your home, consider how many people can fit comfortably six feet apart when deciding on how many people to invite.
2. Invite Guests with the Same Values
To provide a safe space for your holiday gathering, both physically and emotionally, consider inviting only those friends or family who hold the same values about recommended safety precautions such as masks and vaccines.
The CDC recommends that those attending indoor gatherings wear a mask and get vaccinated to prevent the transferring of the COVID-19 virus. By inviting guests who willingly adhere to both of these recommendations, you reduce the risk of heated family conflict and spreading harmful virus particles to your loved ones.
3. Prepare Your Guests
To ensure your gathering is as safe as possible, prepare your guests for the safety measures you expect them to take when entering your house. By sending out a detailed text message, invitation or calling each guest individually to inform them of your requests, you allow them to come prepared to your party.
Make a list of your requirements for guests who attend your Christmas gathering, including:
- Wear a mask at all times
- Wear a mask when preparing or handling food
- Get vaccinated
- Show no symptoms of being sick
- Stand six feet apart
Once you’ve decided what actions you are comfortable with, share the list with the people you invite to your Christmas event.
4. Check for Symptoms
For optimal safety, you can politely ask your guests whether or not they have been experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness before they come to your gathering. You might choose to do this on the day of the party, or ask them when they arrive. Although you may not be able to verify the information, simply asking them if they feel sick can give you an indication as to whether they may put your other guests at risk.
Ask invitees whether they have experienced any of the following symptoms in the previous two weeks to determine if they should attend the Christmas celebration or stay at home this year.
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Loss of smell
Shutterstock: Alina Troeva/Shutterstock.com5. Take Extra Precautions
At your holiday celebration, you can protect the safety and health of your guests by taking extra precautions while cleaning and setting up your event. Invest in a high-quality surface cleaner and disinfect your home before, during and after your gathering. This helps prevent the spread of germs through surface contact.
Provide your family and friends with hand sanitizer in multiple locations and consider posting handwashing guidelines in the bathroom for them to follow. Opening the windows, if possible, is also a good way to bring fresh air into your space and remove potential pathogen particles. If you live in a warmer climate, encourage your guests to step outside or host the entire event outdoors.
6. Exchange Gifts Safely
While there is nothing better than seeing the smile on the face of the person to whom you’re giving a gift, you may need to modify the way you exchange gifts at an in-person gathering this year.
Ensure you shop at stores that adhere to strict social distancing and hygiene measures, and always wear a mask in the store. Provide hand sanitizer at strategic locations around your party venue so your guests can sterilize their hands after opening their gifts.
If anyone can’t attend your get-together, opt for a virtual gift exchange. Send a small, thoughtful gift, like glass Christmas ornaments before the date of the party and then organize a Zoom meeting during the festivities and have the recipient open their gift from you on-screen.
Source: Aleksandra Suzi/Shutterstock.com7. Consider Hybrid Celebrations
Although it is ideal to invite your loved ones to your Christmas celebration this year, it is also a good idea to consider hosting a hybrid in-person and virtual gathering. This can help you limit the number of people who come to your home and also allow family members who can’t or don’t want to travel to attend. It also allows those who have a weakened immune system to be part of the holiday celebration.
If you plan ahead of time, you can send virtual invitees a present to open during the gift exchange or get them matching Christmas shirts to wear with the rest of the family. During the celebration, set up a virtual platform on your computer or TV and invite those who can’t be with you in person to join at a certain time so that everyone can give their Christmas greeting.
For extra fun, organize a Christmas-themed game that those in person and on the screen can play to bring everybody together.
Make Your Christmas Safe and Merry This Year
Celebrating Christmas in person with your family and friends this year is something to look forward to. By implementing safety precautions, such as hosting your gathering outdoors and following CDC recommendations for indoor gatherings, you can lower the risk of spreading any type of illness among your loved ones, allowing you to have a merry, safe Christmas.
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