Your Guide to a COVID-Safe Turkey Day Gathering

Due to COVID 19, your traditional Thanksgiving gathering will likely look a bit different this year. Fortunately, it is still possible to celebrate the season with your loved ones with a bit of ingenuity and a lot of fresh air. The mild fall weather is perfect time for alfresco dining, and your StruXure home pergola provides the ideal setting for these festivities, facilitating ventilation and reducing the likelihood of transmission.

 Smart Hosting Tips for Your Outdoor Thanksgiving Gathering

Though the CDC recommends  celebrating only with your household as the safest possible option, you can reduce person-to-person transmission when gathering with extended family members with these tips:

●       Measure your space, creating a layout that facilitates social distancing.
Create a seating chart, grouping people from the same household together.

●       Eat early.
Avoid the evening chill, eating earlier in the day to enjoy more comfortable temperatures. If you expect cooler weather, consider picking up a few marble or electric warming trays to keep foods warm atop patio tables.

●       Ditch the buffet.
Reduce the number of people handling food by assigning cooking to a single household or ordering takeout. Designate a server or purchase single-use options. Better yet, host a picnic-style gathering where each family brings their own food to reduce exposure risks. Plan ahead, so it's easier to address issues well in advance of your event.

●       Move everything outside in advance.
Have all supplies situated beneath your home pergola before guests arrive to limit the number of trips (and people) trekking into your home in search of food and supplies. Simplify tabletop décor to a few small pumpkins or a small pot of flowers, relying on nature as a backdrop.

●       Plan for the Kids

Keep the kids occupied with safe, socially distant activities like frisbee, sidewalk chalk art, and tabletop crafts they can enjoy together while remaining 6 feet apart.

 Practice Common Sense COVID Safety

 ●       Know the limits for indoor gatherings in your area, adhering to local laws.

●       Encourage family members to self-isolate as long as possible before your get-together to decrease the likelihood of exposure.

●       Open the louvers on your adjustable aluminum pergola and turn ceiling fans on low to improve fresh air circulation.

●       Wear masks when you will be in close contact with other household members, and when food and drinks aren’t being consumed.

●       Wash your hands often.

 Ensure Comfort

Keep your friends and family warm and comfortable, gifting your guests with a cozy blanket and turning on the infrared heaters on your motorized pergola system.

 Be Flexible

During this time, last-minute cancellations and special requests are the norm. Expect a few curveballs, focusing on enjoying the time your given with available family and friends.

 There's never been a better time to host a meal outdoors. Ensure a safe, comfortable Thanksgiving meal with the help of Denver Pergola Systems. Upgrade your outdoor space for a new future. Contact us to learn more today.

 

This article was previously published at: https://denverpergolas.com/patio-ideas/your-guide-to-a-covid-safe-turkey-day-gathering/