After over a year of social distancing and lockdowns, the restrictions are slowly beginning to ease. This means that we can finally get together with a small group of friends or family and enjoy the coming summer months. Here’s how to safely have a socially distanced get-together.
Plan your guestlist.
It’s important to start small with this. A small gathering of no more than six people, so long as your garden space allows for it.
It’s recommended that you stay outdoors to lower the risk of transmitting the virus as the more people you come into contact with, the higher the chances are of contracting it. If you have quite a small garden or not much garden furniture, try lowering this number to something more manageable.
Think about the weather.
Unfortunately, the British weather can be quite unpredictable, and you might end up with a few rain showers. If you have the room for it, try setting up a gazebo or other sheltered area in case the weather takes a turn for the worst. Keep guests comfortable with blankets and outdoor heaters. You could try having a fire pit or small bonfire and encouraging people to bring things to toast over it such as marshmallows.
Eat outdoors.
To minimise the amount of people gathering indoors, try having a barbeque or picnic spread. Perfect for summer weather, this will get you in the mood for the sunny months to come and allow you to test out that new recipe you’ve been saving.
For colder days, foods like chilis, soups, and pie can all be enjoyed outdoors and will help keep guests warm, both inside and out!
Respect your neighbours and those around you.
For some people who might still be shielding, they might be weary of gatherings. Be sure to keep your distance from neighbouring gardens and ensure guests are respectful. Keep the noise levels down and be sure to alert those on your street if you are planning on having a bonfire.
Have fun!
Just because we must be careful doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun! Be sure to decorate your gathering with balloons, garlands, and other glitzy accessories to get everyone in the mood for an enjoyable time.
You could even try making your gathering a themed one and encouraging guests to dress up as their favourite character or animal. Don’t be afraid to have a laugh – there are plenty of party games you can play whilst still maintaining a safe distance.
