Did You Know? Hints for hosting a safe holiday gathering By Julie Young, House and Home Writer
Guest List: Ethan Samantha Brendan Carlie Lindsey Nolan Michael Nick
Side Dishes: Green Bean Caserole Mash Potatoes
• Including others. Create a Zoom meeting — or use a similar video chatting platform — to connect with family members who can’t be in attendance.
Let’s face it: This year’s holiday happenings may look completely different than they have in years past. However, with a little planning and plenty of mindfulness, it is possible to host a fairly safe holiday in your home, and we’ve got the top tips to pull it off.
Plan, Prepare And Proceed with Caution • Set up multiple tables. Remember social distancing rules still apply where family is concerned and who doesn’t love a little extra elbow room?
• Dine al fresco. If possible, make your outdoor living space the center stage for your holiday gathering. Use space heaters and outdoor fireplaces to keep your guests comfortable. Also, wear masks when not eating.
photos: shutterstock.com
• Keep the guest list short. Although we love the idea of bringing everyone together, don’t let your event become a “super spreader.” Consider ages, health risks and geographical location when extending invitations. Remember in 2020, less really is more.
• Don’t pass the potatoes. Rather than load the table with shared dishes, serve your guests “cafeteria” style. Use paper plates, plastic utensils and create individual servings of salads, rolls and dessert to minimize cross contamination. • Don’t linger over coffee and board games. Although these traditions will be missed, it’s best to have a hard stop to the day’s festivities for the safety of everyone present.
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP?
Black Friday shopping is a time-honored tradition among some families, but this year, retailers are rethinking the event by adjusting their hours, dispensing with mad dash “doorbusters” and offering more online deals to keep customers safe. Still determined to shop until you drop? Consider the following: • Contactless curbside pickup may be your lifesaver. • Forecasters suggest that Black Friday deals won’t be limited to one weekend, which gives you the opportunity to get plenty of bang for your buck. • Don’t forget to check online deals.
18 | Michiana House and Home | November 2020 |
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Support Local
Don’t forget to support local businesses during the shopping season. Saturday, Nov. 28, is Small Business Saturday, and many local businesses will be hosting sales to celebrate the day. Always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday was launched by American Express during the Great Recession in 2010.
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• There were 93.2 million buyers shopping online during Black Friday 2019. • Black Friday online shopping sales hit an all-time high of $7.4 billion last year. • The average adult plans to spend $400 on Black Friday sales. • Leading the generations were millennials, who were the biggest spenders on Black Friday 2019.
... and now you know! Source: https://spendmenot.com/blog/black-friday-sales-statistics/
