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Festive Season 2020: Safe Ways To Celebrate
by Sitari Country Estate
14 December, 2020
2020 has been a very unusual and difficult time for almost everyone around the world. As we reach the end of this unforgettable year, we all deserve some time to unwind, have fun, and spend time with our loved ones. But with Covid-19, we will need to do this in a safe way to ensure the health and happiness of all those around us.
As South Africans, we’re big on traditions, especially around the December holidays. Although this year will look a little different, we want you to be able to enjoy your favourite customs. Here are some safe ways to celebrate this festive season:
1. Plan An Outdoor Lunch Or Dinner
In South Africa, we’re lucky to have warm weather over the festive period, which comes even more handy this year. Surrounded by fresh air, you and your guests will feel much more comfortable. Whether by the pool, in the garden, or on your front patio, take your feast outside in the sunshine. If a little rain is expected, make use of a gazebo or place your table under a pergola.
2. Keep Your Guest List Small
As much as we all love large gatherings with our friends and family, one of the safe ways to celebrate this year is to keep the guest count low. Invite your more immediate family to attend, and celebrate with your extended family and friends virtually on video or phone call. Lunch or dinner time may be a bit too noisy for everyone to connect, so a great way to include those virtually would be when gifts are being opened. Children will love showing off their exciting new toys or clothes from Santa.
3. Swap Hugs For Elbow Bumps
One of the biggest new trends of 2020 has to be the elbow bump. Forget hugs and handshakes, it’s safer to greet with a casual bump of the elbows, which ensures enough distance apart and limited physical touch. It may be tough to resist hugging your family and friends over this merry time, but by practicing safe gestures you’re protecting those you love.
4. Have Hand Sanitiser Available For Guests
Now, more than ever, it’s important for everyone to keep their hands clean. Without even realising, we touch our face on average 16 times an hour. We then touch the counter, bathroom tap and door handle. So, to prevent anything spreading, ensure your guests have the opportunity to sanitise their hands frequently and with ease. Place hand sanitisers in easy to find and reach places, like in the kitchen, bathroom, at the front door, and on the outside table.
5. Instead Of Buffet-Style, Plate Up Meals
To prevent everyone from leaning over the food, and many hands touching many things, it would be better to designate one person to dish up and serve the food. Get the children involved to take down orders and pretend it’s like a restaurant. This will double as a safety precaution and a way to keep the children entertained. For starters and desserts, try and incorporate individual wrappings, bowls and paper plates. You can prepare little snack packs with cheese and crackers for the starter, and opt for cupcakes instead of cake for dessert.
Even though this year will look, feel and be a little more unusual than what we’re used to, as we embrace safe ways to celebrate, it’s still a special time to spend with loved ones and focus on what really matters. From all of us at Sitari Country Estate, we wish you a blessed holiday with your family and friends!
References:
1. DonaJayne Potts, “How to celebrate the holidays safely during flu season and COVID-19” Loma Linda University Health (blog), 11 November 2020, https://news.llu.edu/health-wellness/how-celebrate-holidays-safely-during-flu-season-and-covid-19
2. “Covid Christmas plans: How to celebrate the holidays safely during Covid-19” Paperless Post (blog), https://www.paperlesspost.com/blog/covid-christmas-plans/
FESTIVE SEASON 2020: SAFE WAYS TO CELEBRATE.
2020 has been a very unusual and difficult time for almost everyone around the world. As we reach the end of this unforgettable year, we all deserve some time to unwind, have fun, and spend time with our loved ones. But with Covid-19, we will need to do this in a safe way to ensure the health and happiness of all those around us.
As South Africans, we’re big on traditions, especially around the December holidays. Although this year will look a little different, we want you to be able to enjoy your favourite customs. Here are some safe ways to celebrate this festive season:
1. Plan An Outdoor Lunch Or Dinner
In South Africa, we’re lucky to have warm weather over the festive period, which comes even more handy this year. Surrounded by fresh air, you and your guests will feel much more comfortable. Whether by the pool, in the garden, or on your front patio, take your feast outside in the sunshine. If a little rain is expected, make use of a gazebo or place your table under a pergola.
2. Keep Your Guest List Small
As much as we all love large gatherings with our friends and family, one of the safe ways to celebrate this year is to keep the guest count low. Invite your more immediate family to attend, and celebrate with your extended family and friends virtually on video or phone call. Lunch or dinner time may be a bit too noisy for everyone to connect, so a great way to include those virtually would be when gifts are being opened. Children will love showing off their exciting new toys or clothes from Santa.
3. Swap Hugs For Elbow Bumps
One of the biggest new trends of 2020 has to be the elbow bump. Forget hugs and handshakes, it’s safer to greet with a casual bump of the elbows, which ensures enough distance apart and limited physical touch. It may be tough to resist hugging your family and friends over this merry time, but by practicing safe gestures you’re protecting those you love.
4. Have Hand Sanitiser Available For Guests
Now, more than ever, it’s important for everyone to keep their hands clean. Without even realising, we touch our face on average 16 times an hour. We then touch the counter, bathroom tap and door handle. So, to prevent anything spreading, ensure your guests have the opportunity to sanitise their hands frequently and with ease. Place hand sanitisers in easy to find and reach places, like in the kitchen, bathroom, at the front door, and on the outside table.
5. Instead Of Buffet-Style, Plate Up Meals
To prevent everyone from leaning over the food, and many hands touching many things, it would be better to designate one person to dish up and serve the food. Get the children involved to take down orders and pretend it’s like a restaurant. This will double as a safety precaution and a way to keep the children entertained. For starters and desserts, try and incorporate individual wrappings, bowls and paper plates. You can prepare little snack packs with cheese and crackers for the starter, and opt for cupcakes instead of cake for dessert.
Even though this year will look, feel and be a little more unusual than what we’re used to, as we embrace safe ways to celebrate, it’s still a special time to spend with loved ones and focus on what really matters. From all of us at Sitari Country Estate, we wish you a blessed holiday with your family and friends!
References:
1. DonaJayne Potts, “How to celebrate the holidays safely during flu season and COVID-19” Loma Linda University Health (blog), 11 November 2020, https://news.llu.edu/health-wellness/how-celebrate-holidays-safely-during-flu-season-and-covid-19
2. “Covid Christmas plans: How to celebrate the holidays safely during Covid-19” Paperless Post (blog), https://www.paperlesspost.com/blog/covid-christmas-plans/
