- December 15, 2021
- Category: Tips & Advice
The holiday season is upon us and that means a time for celebrations, and of course, holiday parties. It’s refreshing to begin hosting people in our homes again. If you decide to host a party this year, this blog will provide you with tips to keep your party safe, while still fun!
TIPS FOR BEING A GREAT HOST
We tend to put lots of pressure on ourselves to have our homes looking immaculate before guests start to arrive. When hosting holiday parties, keep these tips in mind to make sure you and your guests enjoy the party.
- Get Organized. Holiday parties require planning, so give yourself plenty of time to figure out the details. Think about what you’ll serve, where you’ll place the food (it should be where you want people to gather), how you’ll decorate the house, and so on. Planning will help you stay organized and mitigate stress on the day of the party.
- Clean Gathering Areas First. Focus on cleaning areas of your home guests will be gathering in, such as the bathroom, foyer, kitchen, and dining room. If you’re pressed for times, your junk drawer or bedroom can wait.
- Keep It Simple. When hosting parties, focus on one aspect at a time. If you try to clean, cook, and set up all at once you may feel too much pressure to do everything flawlessly.
- Enjoy It. Once your guests arrive, focus on enjoying them and your party. Now it’s time to relax and have fun!
WHEN HOSTING HOLIDAY PARTIES, TAKE PRECAUTIONS IF SERVING ALCOHOL
As a host, you don’t want to take the chance of being sued, let alone contributing to injuries to one of your guests or other parties (even after they leave). Here are some tips for safe serving and consumption of alcohol at any party you throw.
- Before you host a party, speak with your broker about liquor liability.
- Upon arrival, check if guests have a designated driver.
- Serve non-alcoholic drinks and food to help with the absorption of alcohol.
- Arrange cabs for intoxicated guests.
- Prepare a guest bedroom in case someone needs to stay overnight.
WHEN HOSTING HOLIDAY PARTIES, TAKE PRECAUTIONS IF SERVING ALCOHOL
Everyone has a varying comfort level with gatherings in the pandemic era and respecting those comfort levels goes a long way. Regardless of your views, you could face fines and legal consequences for not following guidelines. We recommend following the public health measures in your province (click here for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.)
DO YOU NEED EVENT LIABILITY WHEN HOSTING A HOLIDAY PARTY?
Event Liability Insurance offers an increased liability limit for a one-time event. It may also include extra coverage for your property, injuries, damage to rental equipment, etc. Speak with your insurance broker to find out more.
DOES YOUR HOME INSURANCE COVER YOU WHEN YOU HOST A PARTY?
You do your best to keep your guests safe, but accidents happen. A slip on icy stairs could turn into a lawsuit costing you thousands. Fortunately, your home, tenant, or condo insurance includes liability coverage. Liability coverage protects you if you’re found liable for an injury occurring at your home. Keep in mind there is a limit to this coverage and unique to your policy, so ask your insurance broker to review your coverage.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family, friends, and guests.