5 Tips for Safe, In-Person Holiday Gatherings

The circumstances surrounding the upcoming holiday season are certainly different than last year. But the guidance regarding in-person gatherings is still a bit … complicated. Despite new COVID-19 cases continuing to emerge across the globe, even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention admits it fully expects Americans to travel and gather after being apart for the 2020 holidays. The key, experts emphasize, is doing so safely.

Here are five ways you can prevent the spread of illness this holiday season while reuniting with friends and loved ones. 

1. Start with Honest, Open Communication

It is your prerogative and safest bet to set boundaries for holiday gatherings. Whether you’re planning to host or have been invited to attend someone else’s celebration, its OK to be selective.

“Its unfortunate that COVID-19 vaccinations have become such a divisive topic of conversation,” says Dr. Scott Hetzel, an Internal Medicine Physician with ThedaCare. “But making decisions that are best for your health, and for the health of your loved ones, is never the wrong choice. It’s important to be open and honest about your comfort level.” 

Need help starting the conversation with loved ones? We suggest the following approach:

• Have the discussion early. This provides everyone with additional time to come to a resolution that makes sense for the majority and/or allows the opportunity to get vaccinated.
• Go first. Gently share your vaccination status and position on the matter first. This will remove some of the pressure and open the door for more natural conversation.
• Be respectful. Try to understand and empathize with the viewpoints of others, even when they differ significantly from your own.

You may receive a negative reaction or resistance, no matter how careful you are to avoid it. That can be difficult to manage — particularly from a family member. Even if you must choose to forego an in-person gathering, virtual celebrations remain a safe option for connecting with others from a distance.

2. Get Vaccinated

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best available method for minimizing transmission of the virus.

“Thanks to widely available vaccinations, we have the option to safely gather in person this year,” Dr. Hetzel says. “If you’re eligible for a vaccination or booster and haven’t received it yet, there is still time to do so before the holidays.”

Keep in mind, two of the three available COVID-19 vaccines require two doses, spaced weeks apart. Furthermore, you’re not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after the final dose. That said, here are your options for completing required doses before the holidays:

3. Consider Your Surroundings

Clearly, there is much to consider when it comes to taking a safe approach to holiday celebrations.

Trick-or-treating, for example, tends to present fewer opportunities for transmission of the COVID-19 virus because it is traditionally held outdoors.

“If your child is over 12 years old and vaccinated, they are in the best position to safely participate in Halloween festivities,” Dr. Hetzel says. “But that doesn’t mean younger kids can’t take part. For children not yet eligible for the vaccine, we recommend trick-or-treating in small groups, practicing physical distancing, hand washing as much as possible, and finding creative ways to incorporate a mask into their costume.”

When it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas, however, gatherings tend to take place indoors. This increases opportunities for transmission. In addition to considering if your guests are vaccinated, you might want to pay attention to where they’re coming from and whether case numbers and transmission rates are particularly high in that area.

“Your gatherings may very well include people from different areas of the country where transmission rates vary,” Dr. Hetzel says. “Even if all eligible attendees are vaccinated, it is wise to practice good hand hygiene, keep the area well ventilated, mask when possible, and avoid over-crowding. This is especially important in the presence of more vulnerable individuals like children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.”

4. Follow Travel Recommendations

Planning to travel? Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by following CDC recommendations.

“The primary difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers is the need to get tested before and after your trip,” Dr. Hetzel says. “All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask on public transportation, take other general precautions, and self-monitor for symptoms.”

If possible, the CDC encourages unvaccinated people to hold off on holiday travel altogether. When an unvaccinated individual must travel — including children who aren’t eligible for the vaccine — the CDC suggests safer travel options. These include short trips by car and flights with fewer stops or layovers.

If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, are sick, test positive for COVID-19, or are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test, you should NOT travel.

5. Do What Makes Sense for Your Specific Circumstances

Generally speaking, if your gathering includes only vaccinated people, you should feel confident in enjoying the holidays and honoring celebratory traditions as you have in the past. If not, its important to continue practicing caution in the form of:

• Wearing masks
• Avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated spaces
• Gathering outdoors, when possible
• Getting tested
• Washing your hands often

“There are multiple layers of protection available to all of us,” Dr. Hetzel says. “Ultimately, you should use as many as possible to keep you and your loved ones safe, based on your particular situation. If we all follow that mindset, we’ll be back to traditional holiday gatherings sooner rather than later.”