Cinco de Mayo is the unofficial welcome of the Summer party season every year. Still, with tradition being disrupted in 2020 and new guidelines this season, your Hippo family has a few tips for celebrating this period safely.
Whether it is a national holiday or a housewarming celebration, bringing people together for parties is a large part of our culture. Thankfully the CDC has recently released new guidance that as long as risk is appropriately assessed and safety measures are taken, gatherings are possible. So with that in mind, here are some great tips for throwing a party in 2021.
Dream up a Theme
Not only do themes give attendees a sense of structure for the upcoming soiree, but they also bring a fun, creative energy to events. Ask your guests to dress up, align food dishes, and make sure the location, decorations and entertainment is all within that chosen concept. Here is a quick list of popular themes:
- Taco Tuesday
- The 80’s
- Island Luau
- Favorite Movie Character
- Great Gatsby
- Christmas in July
- Viva Las Vegas
Set your audience up for success by explaining exactly what is expected of them regarding the theme when you invite them and remind them again closer to the event.
Fun experiences
Show off your Host with the Most prowess by providing a unique experience that is sure to keep your guests talking about your party long after it’s over. Your special experience should also fit nicely within the theme, like 80’s night karaoke, a salsa-making class for Taco Tuesday, or an Elvis costume contest for your Viva Las Vegas backyard barbecue. Use your imagination and have fun. Your guests will have such a great time that they will be looking forward to your next shindig.
Accessibility is key
To make sure that everyone has the opportunity to have a great time, think accessibility. That doesn’t only mean ensuring that differently-abled persons can navigate the venue easily. It also means providing a ‘safety station’ stocked with hand sanitizer and extra masks, gender-neutral restrooms, access to public transportation for friends who don’t drive, and calm spaces or areas for people who may be overwhelmed or anxious.
Engagement with Entertainment
Whether it is a live band or a simple playlist, making sure that the crowd is engaged in the entertainment will keep the event flowing the way you want. You can have an event itinerary posted so that your guests know what to expect or one that you are keeping to yourself. Avoid awkward pauses by planning for your audience to be entertained throughout the entirety of the event.
Stick with a Checklist
Stay organized. Whether you are a one-person show putting on this function or working with a team of people, a checklist will go a very long way. Not only will a checklist serve to keep you and your event organized, but it will also help you think of the event as a whole, providing context to tasks and subtasks.
COVID-19 changed all of our lives. Luckily, with the vaccine roll-out and the guidelines mentioned above from the CDC, we can begin to slowly move towards normalcy. With some proper safety precautions, we can start to have fun and meaningful parties together again.
