Dr. Anthony Fauci said that things can be back to normal by the spring of 2022 if we all work together and do our part in helping curb infections everywhere in the United States. As long as we get vaccinated, stay isolated when we fall sick, and follow health and safety guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there’s no reason why we can’t get back to the swing of things. Still, we don’t have to wait that long.

We’re all hoping for better circumstances these coming holidays. Here are some tips for planning unforgettable and safe holiday parties—because we all deserve to have sweet reunions with our loved ones after the challenging past year and a half.

Follow health and safety protocols

When it comes to organizing events in 2021, the key is to follow health and safety protocols and guidelines according to the CDC and your local state. Watch out for gathering restrictions and how many people are allowed in one venue, if doing the event outdoors is still recommended, proper social distancing, and who should be wearing masks. These guidelines can change at the drop of a hat, so make sure to always stand by for updates so you can also update your guests as circumstances ebb and flow.

Hire all-in-one organizers

If you have a reasonably large gathering and don’t want to bother with all the minute details, consider hiring an all-in-one event organizer to help you mount the much-awaited reunion. This team of specialists can help you acquire an event venue and rent the right equipment.

They can also assist with catering, styling, themes, interactions, and games and even move your party outdoors if they find tents and outdoor furniture. Best of all, many of these event organizing teams are committed to upholding health and safety protocols so you can step back and enjoy your party without worrying.

Choose a distinct theme for your reunion

A themed party is always a wonderful way for all of your guests to come together and become one. After dealing with a pandemic for a year and a half, there’s nothing like inspiring unity and camaraderie among everybody by encouraging everyone to wear a costume or a dress code or participate in the various activities. Here are some ideas for themes you can explore for your holiday parties:

• Pajama party, which can help trigger nostalgia for your preteen years, spending the colder months with your best friends during slumber parties and sleepovers
• Winter wonderland
• Thanksgiving or Christmas-inspired costumes
• Ugly sweater
• Tea party
• Petmas party, where you and your guests bring your fur babies to the reunion
• Thanksgiving or Christmas brunch

There are so many concepts and ideas that can brighten up your holiday reunions, so make sure to look at your guest list and think of what will engage them and boost their excitement. Knowing your audience is key to coming up with a holiday party theme that everyone will love.

Come up with cute and sweet activities

No matter how big your audience is, you can always find activities that will be fun for everybody. Here are some Thanksgiving and Christmas activities you and your guests can do for the reunion:

• Decorating gingerbread houses
• Truth or dare Jenga
• Swapping Christmas ornaments
• Holiday crafting
• White elephant
• Cocktail-making contest
• Food exchange
• Christmas Carol-oke
• Holiday movie marathon
• Group ice skating
• Decorating pumpkins
• Making a time capsule

The last one can be an especially poignant activity, especially since many of your guests will for sure have a lot of thoughts and feelings about attending an event for the first time in a year and a half. Give your guests time to wax sentimental about their thoughts and keep those precious sentiments tucked away until it’s time to open them.

Encourage gratitude

Whether it’s a Thanksgiving or Christmas party, your reunion party will be a good time for everyone to say what they’re thankful for. Go around the table and encourage everyone to talk about what they’re most grateful for during these times. You can also make it interesting by incorporating more personal questions written on cards near their place cards. Some can be questions; others can be challenges like posting what they’re grateful for on their Instagram stories.

It is an understatement to say that the past year and a half has been difficult for most of us, and COVID-19 seems like something we will have to live with for the foreseeable future. But it doesn’t mean we can’t have small pockets of joy during the holidays. Just follow health and safety protocols as you gather your family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas.