Despite all of the negative COVID-19 has brought about, it did bring us a new way to celebrate! Outdoor parties have been all the rage since the beginning of the pandemic. With social distancing at the top of the party list, drive-by birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers and more have become the popular friend on the block. I’m sure you’ve seen this new trend pop up on your social media, with many taking it to extravagant levels. Maybe you’ve attended an outdoor party yourself!

Whether an outdoor party or indoor celebration, there are overlaps between the two. You may find it helpful to peruse my previous article on Planning the Perfect Party or Event to get an idea on how to figure out basic logistics like budget and organizing a google doc for your party. For an outdoor party in COVID times though, you have to think creatively and a little outside the box to create safe fun for your guests!

Although your event is being hosted outdoors, it is still best practice for everyone to wear a mask, since guests may come in close proximity. Most guests will have their own, but providing a basket full of masks (maybe even custom made ones if you’re handy with the sewing machine) will ensure that everyone is following the guidelines. Have fun with this and provide a “mask decorating station” with fun stickers and markers for everyone to dress up their face covering. Or, click here to order your own custom-made masks!

Every party should have a focal point. For your outdoor celebration, consider purchasing a lawn sign to wish your loved one a happy year ahead in a big way. There are many companies that specialize in making these statement pieces, but you can also get crafty and make them yourself. Everyone driving by and in the neighborhood will know of your special celebration, and you may even get some honks.

Having stations for various activities and food is another fun way to host your party outdoors while also preventing people from forming clusters around one central location. Below are some ideas for stations and materials you’ll need:

1. Hot Cocoa: For this, consider having thermoses filled hot cocoa, to-go cups, lids and sleeves, small bags filled with marshmallows and whip cream in a can.

2. Tea/Coffee: For this, consider having thermoses filled with hot water/coffee in various roasts, baskets or containers with various tea bags, wooden stir sticks, individual creamer cups, sugar packets, to-go cups, lids and sleeves.

1. Cookie Station: For this, consider having premade sugar cookies in desired shapes individually packaged, paper plates to work on, colored icing in piping bags. (provide multiples of each color), sprinkles in various shapes, colors in individual containers.

2. Candy Bar Station: For this, consider having jars in various shapes and sizes filled with your favorite candy and goodies, (try to use candy that is already prepackaged), paper bags for guests to fill, tongs/scoopers.

3. Art Project Station: For this, consider choosing the type of art project depending on the age group you are entertaining. Set up each person’s materials six feet apart on picnic blankets or disposable plastic covers on the floor; pro tip: families can work on the same blanket.

1. Outdoor Theater: This is ideal for an evening party. Set up an outdoor movie screen and projector. Ask guests to bring picnic blankets for each family to sit six feet apart in your yard. Provide pre-popped and packaged popcorn.

2. Fun In The Sun: For this, consider having bubbles, balls, hoola hoops, jump ropes and sidewalk chalk.

Don’t forget the hand sanitizers at each station!

When it comes to food serving outdoors can be tricky, let alone managing sanitary guidelines during a pandemic,. If you are offering lunch or dinner, making boxed meals is a visually appealing and safe way to serve your guests. You can even send out a “build your box” menu with the invitation before your event. This will allow your guests to choose which food items they’d like, and you can prepack all of the orders. More work for you, but so nice for your guests! Label each box and display them on a table with water bottles, juice boxes or soda cans for a “serve yourself” experience.

Instead of having a cake, consider packaging cupcakes in separate boxes that guests can grab along with a favor on their way out. Favor options are always endless. Think about the theme of your party to help you narrow down the type of favor you’d like to give. Bath Bombs individually packed in bags, candles, mini succulents or small pots with ready to grow seed kits, coloring books and crayons for kids, chalk, jump ropes or even bubble wands with ribbon attached for an added touch of magic!

Just like any party, outdoor ones that prioritize safety or drive by events are just as entertaining and provide a wide range of options. Don’t let Covid restrictions put a damper on your festivities, get creative, be smart and stay safe. Most importantly, have fun and make memories! We’d love to see what you come up with!