Doori, o doori

Glass tags can be a solution to discourage guests from sharing drinks; (right) Using pre-wrapped cutlery inside napkins is prudent. Location courtesy/Recca

While every reasonable person is going to pick celebrating the turn of the year at home instead of at a club among strangers, throwing caution to the wind could make the atmosphere at home unsafe too. With the highly-transmissible new Coronavirus variant, Omicron, gaining ground every day, Sunday mid-day decided to reach out to dining experience curators on easy hacks to being a dependable party host.

‘Use glass tags to discourage sharing of drinks'

Ami Kothari /// Tablescape Styling and Curator of Dining Experience

While Kothari's first choice would be a sit down dinner to restrict the movement of guests, if a buffet is being planned, opt for pre-plated individual portions, so that people are not using the same cutlery or serving spoon and not gathering around a spot for very long. For a sit down, she suggests having cutlery pre-wrapped inside the napkins. Disposable cutlery might not be the most environment-friendly option, but she suggests using leaf plates and paper napkins that are kind to nature. "People always end up being casual at a party and tasting or sharing drinks, which is a big no right now," she says, adding that the solution is to use glass tags. "You can either use a marker to mark the glasses with the names of guests or use fancy paper tags available at party planner shops." The host can also opt for customised name stirrers for the guests so that they don't share them and can take home their stirrer as a token." According to Kothari, it is these personalised touches that people love and what will make your party safe and special. When it comes to food, Kothari suggests avoiding fondue, dips or mezze platters where guests serve themselves from the same bowl. Anything that is pre-plated or in an individual serving set is better. For instance, she says, instead of a salad bowl, there can be martini cups with individual servings that the guests can pick up. Another suggestion is having a pre-plated appetiser dish or tray per person. "You can serve two to three appetisers on a pre-plated dish that's ready to serve to each guest individually."

‘Rent bean bags so guests don't share seats'

Nikul Ganatra and Ramssha Hamllani/// Sparkle Events Solutions

While you limit the number of guests at your party, also ensure that the seating includes single-seat sofas or couches. "You can easily rent bean bags and puffies to ensure that people don't huddle. Or spread out large cushions on the floor," says Ganatra. Large furniture like couches or the dining table can be pushed towards a wall in order to create an open space in the middle of the room available. The pair suggests that guests stay away from playing games that require sharing of props and instead host a musical nights or turn to games like dumb charades. To ensure hygiene, the host must call a COVID hygiene company that will sanitise the entire house before and after the party. It's a good idea to hand a sanitiser bottle to every guest when s/he arrives along with a customised and personalised mask which would be a memorable takeaway.

Ramssha Hamllani and Nikul Ganatra

‘Keep it strictly outdoors'

Nayantara Sangtani /// Founder, DinnersByNayantara

An outdoor socially-distanced seating is best for a house party in the light of rising COVID-19 cases

Sangtani, who runs an event styling company, says this time, all house parties should be held outdoors if possible, with a small guest list. It could be on someone's terrace, a garden or at a rooftop restaurant. According to her, there is no ideal number of people to call, as it depends on changing government guidelines and how large a space you have at your disposal. However, 20 people is the maximum number, she suggests. To adapt to safety norms in the pandemic, she has been making alternate seating arrangements to ensure distance between the guests. She also ensures that all eating counters are at least six feet apart. While chefs visited a client's home earlier to prepare the dishes from scratch, now the pre-cooked meals are sent across packed to minimise contact. "Even the party décor is sent across in DIY boxes; clients set it up themselves," she says. Sangtani suggests keeping seniors out of the guest list because they tend to be the most vulnerable. Those who can't attend or are unwell can join for a little while on Zoom. "If you are keen on live music, have over only one guitarist-cum-singer, opt for just one bartender if you can't whip up the cocktails yourself."

Nayantara Sangtani

4 easy steps to a safe house party

1. Call as few guests as possible to an open space free of air conditioning, and with good air flow
2. Avoid a buffet. Arrange a pre-plated dining set up
3. Give the bar a personalised touch with glass tags, tagged stirrers and masks
4. Have individual seating