Labor Day is soon approaching, which means our last cookout opportunity of the season is on the horizon. Under normal circumstances, I would have already attended my fair share of barbecues, but COVID had different plans. But with cases in many areas on the decline, I know that many of you will be celebrating with friends and family this weekend. I want you all to enjoy yourselves, but I also want you all to use wisdom and stay healthy! So I’ve put together this guide for hosting a super safe and sanitary Labor Day barbecue!
- Cherry pick your guests. Safety is of the upmost importance. If your homegirl has been hitting the club every weekend since the state reopened…she’s probably not the best addition to the guest list. Only invite people you have already been in close contact with (immediate family and close friends), those who you know have tested negative, and those who have been responsibly quarantining to your get-together.
- Set up sanitation stations. Make sure you have plenty of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer available. Also, depending on your guests’ comfort level with gatherings, you might want to provide masks and gloves as well. The goal is to have a good time, but also allow guests to be worry free!
- Host outdoors. Limit traffic through your home by hosting mainly outdoors. This also means you should provide plenty of cold beverages, shade, and fans for your guests’ comfort. Staying outdoors will save you the hassle of sanitizing every inch of your home after the gathering, and give everyone attending more peace of mind.
- Ditch the potluck. It might create a bit more work for you, but now is not the time for potluck style meals! Making sure all food comes from one source will help eliminate the possibility of spreading the virus. In simpler times, it was considered rude to show up to a cookout empty handed, but in the world of COVID-19, it would be best to ask your guests to contribute in different ways. Donating to the purchase of food, providing plates, utensils, or party games are just a few examples of how guests can show their gratitude without preparing homemade dishes.
- “Secretly” socially distance. While there’s no need to pull out a yard stick, make sure there is a reasonable distance between guests. You can do this in “secret” ways that seem natural, like spacing out chairs before your guests arrive or playing games that require space. For instance, swap the card table for a corn hole board!
That’s it! Hosting a barbecue in this season doesn’t have to be hard- it just takes a little more preparation and precaution. Follow this guide, and enjoy your Labor Day!
Celebratorily,
