r of Flying Ruby Events, shares her top tips for party planners.  Safety first Each state experienced Covid-19 in varying degrees and is now going into the holiday season with very different guidelines around group bookings, outdoor gatherings and so on. Lewis advises adhering to the maximum capacity regulations as they stand currently and considering space and furniture in the area, should this number go up or down. Going above and beyond on safety is the recommendation this year.  “Rather than just meeting the guidelines stipulated in each state, provide extra precautions so guests feel secure,” she suggests.  “This may include temperature checks on entry, additional hand sanitiser stations, complimentary face masks … Onsite Covid marshalls may not be a legal requirement in your state, however the extra cost will make your guests feel comfortable.” Touchpoints and sharing opportunities should be limited where possible to avoid cross contamination.  “Shared platters and grazing stations are out; individual serves in individual packaging are in,” she advises. Plan ahead Lewis recommends creating a Covid-safe plan for your event based on state guidelines and that planners document all attendees who attend the event.  “Consider your event space and make it easy for guests to socially distance by positioning hubs of furniture in a socially distanced layout,” Lewis says.  “When producing your runsheet, consider areas which may result in overcrowding and find ways to overcome this, such as staggered arrival times or digital check-in. Gauge the mood Not everyone will have the some level of safety concerns, but the priority should be to ensure that even the most nervous guest feels safe. If the general consensus is that the team is not yet ready to hang out as a group in person, virtual team building activities can work well.  “Review the current situation in the workplace so you can organise an appropriate Christmas celebration to suit,” advises Lewis. With excess booze onboard, frustrations and stresses can often come to a head at the Christmas party. Given the additional anxiety brought on by the pandemic this year, the risk is even greater.   Bruce Simmonds, litigation director of law firm Parker Simmonds Solicitors & Lawyers, says employers should be aware of potential post-party claims. If an employee or contractor is injured at the party, they could claim under personal injury legislation as work-related, particularly if the employer hosted the event. “Sometimes there are cases where what might start as office revelry can, if fuelled by too much alcohol, turn into stupid antics or even fistfights as tempers boil over,” Simmonds says. “Employers seem to forget that workplace laws still apply at workplace functions organised by employers, such as Christmas parties.” Customise your Covid Christmas party While it may seem that most of the fun options are off the table, there are ways to inject fun into the occasion, with a bit of creativity. “Karaoke and a dancefloor may need to wait until next year! 2020 is all about live snow globes and lighting features,” Lewis says.  “Create an engaging photo wall which is socially distanced but still interactive. There’s lots you can do with anti-gravity photo booths, white Christmas trees and snow.” By going the extra mile to customise the experience for co-workers, each individual will feel valued. “Layering little touch points throughout the event will make each guest feel valued and closer than before. It’s been a difficult year for many, and the small details will not go unnoticed.”  The golden rule of Covid party planning? Clearly communicate what is and is not acceptable at the function to minimise the risk of things going south.  So to recap …  What’s in Hand sanitiserSanta masksIndividual servingsSitting down What’s out Crowded sweaty spacesLimitless boozeSharing plattersMistletoe