Socializing in the New Normal: Ideas on Hosting Your Get-Together

Hosting social gatherings certainly changed amid the pandemic but how exactly do you pull it off?

Going through months of shared isolation intensified our eagerness to meet and catch up with our loved ones. When there is a special occasion like a birthday or a milestone, quarantine made it impossible to hold a get-together. We are left to celebrate through virtual parties that although fun in its own way, can never match the joy, pleasant noise, and overall merriment of physical events. Now that the quarantine measures have been eased, you can host luncheons and dinners while practicing social distancing and other health guidelines set by the government. You’ll find out soon enough that entertaining guests in the new normal don’t have to be much different from before.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/B7kNtXBIBaB/

Contactless Catering

A first in the catering industry, Private Dining by Happy Concept remains open to deliver everything a client needs to host a social gathering. From cooking the selected menu, wrapping the exquisite tableware and dinnerware, packing the flowers for tablescapes to providing a UV light gadget for sanitation, this new form of catering allows clients to enjoy their own get-together or buffet in the safest way possible. The delivery has instructions on reheating the food and disinfecting the materials. As an additional guideline, you can review their Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tutorial video on Instagram to learn the art of setting up the table yourself. Founder Happy Ongpauco shares, “I’m hoping this idea gives my fellow caterers hope during these trying times.” Contactless Catering definitely changes the way people gather to celebrate special occasions.

For inquiries, contact +63 9178990461 or visit privatedining.com.ph

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(Photos from Glam Luxury Passion and Rodolfo Marques)
Sunday brunch with Opulence Design Concept, Haute Home Manila, Naked Patisserie, Naked Foodie, and Hermès. (Photos from Pinky Tobiano’s Instagram)

Private Dining

Organizing get-togethers takes effort but it is worth it when you get to display your taste for the finest courses, elegant cutlery and decor, and the perfect selection of liquor. Whether you are ordering signature dishes of hotels and restaurants or creating your own bar-made cocktail and serves, everything delivered to you still requires disinfecting. Pinky Tobiano has started her own Instagram live sessions where she shares “Essential Cleaning Tips” together with special guests. Together with her new program, she introduced Sanivir Smoke that sanitizes your living space or office. It disinfects the air and the surfaces and deepest crevices of a room, eliminating all viruses. Following these extensive cleaning tips can foster a safer social gathering for you and your friends.

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A makeshift outdoor movie theater. (Photo from Decoist)

In-House Experience

While some enjoy a simple catching up, you can spruce up your get-together with a different experience. For friends who love to unwind and relax together, create your own at-home spa. Order your favorite scented candles, bath salts, masks, and body scrubs. While indulging in the soothing experience, have a glass of your favorite wine or fresh fruit juice.

For those who are up for a challenge, set up a friendly cooking or a baking competition. From whipping up delightful recipes to mixing your own ‘quarantine cocktail,’ creating something delicious with your loved ones make for a fun and memorable experience.

For film enthusiasts, you can always binge-watch in the comforts of your living room or bedroom, but there is something more special in having a makeshift theatre in your backyard. With your projector, flash your favorite feel-good movie on a side of your house, prepare treats, and settle in your lawn chairs or even bring out a comfortable beanbag.

LEFT: packaging of the KikiKit for birthdays. RIGHT: contents of a customized kit.

Not a fan of spending too much time on setups? Call up KikiKit, the newest virtual party planning service. They customize the materials you need for the get-together. In every KikiKit box, guests will have everything they need–table decor, floral arrangements, cutlery, glassware, and other accessories customized for your party. They assign a specific Zoom ID for you so when guests log in, it creates the feeling of being in the same event at the same time.

Click here to order for your virtual get-together.

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