The pandemic has changed our lives in a way we couldn’t have imagined over a year ago. It changed the way we work, attend classes, and even organize parties. With the coronavirus hanging over our heads like the sword of Damocles, we shouldn’t hold regular physical parties. So, we’ll have to do it online.
If you’ve heard about virtual work, then this is what you can call a virtual party. But how, you may ask. Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll talk about how you can organize and throw a virtual party with just about anybody who has access to the internet.
Here are the things you have to do.
Use a Video Conferencing Service
If you’ve been working online these days, then you may have already used Zoom for your team meetings. You can use the same service for your virtual party. But Zoom isn’t your only option since some people may still be concerned about the security issues that hounded the service near the start of the year.
There are a lot of video conferencing services available on the internet. You can also consider Google Hangouts Meet, Microsoft Teams, or GoToMeetings. These services are comparable to Zoom, which is currently widely-used among many online workers these days.
Set the Schedule
The next thing to do is to set the schedule. It’s always best to set the schedule way ahead of time to ensure everyone clears up their appointments for the party. This also gives you time to prepare for the party in case you’re planning to send food to the invitees.
Aside from planning the date and time of the party, you should also plan how long the virtual party should last. One hour will probably do since sitting on your desk while staring at the screen for a long time can become tiresome for some people. You can also set aside some time after to accommodate any latecomers.
Invite People to the Party
At this point, you should send out the invitations. The invitations should show the date, time, and duration of the party. In addition, you should include a step-by-step instruction in the invitation just in case some of the people you invited aren’t too tech-friendly.
The instructions should include how they can download the video conferencing software you’ll use and how they can create an account. You can also include instructions on how to use it, especially the unmute and video buttons. Some people may find it challenging to find and use these buttons.
Check Your Internet Connection
Having a good internet connection is a no-brainer, especially if you’re hosting the party. You shouldn’t leave this one to chance. While most of the US states have seen an increase in internet speeds since the start of the pandemic, there are a few states that experienced a slowdown.
Even though the decrease in speed is not huge, you should still take this into account. If you’re using Wi-Fi, you can put your computer or laptop close to the router to minimize connection issues.
Stock Up on Party Essentials
Stocking up on party essentials means having food and drinks within reach so you don’t have to stand up and leave the computer to get them. You can have some finger food, like nuts, cakes, or sandwiches. If you want everyone to have the same food, you can have the food delivered to your family and friends just before the party.
You can also prepare alcoholic drinks, such as beer or wine, and non-alcoholic drinks, like juice or lemonade. You can even have a few bottles of fruit-flavored water and have some of them delivered to your family and friends together with the food.
Even as we continue to keep ourselves safe from the virus, we can still have a little bit of fun and go on virtual parties with family and friends until the pandemic is over.
As we navigate the challenges of hosting during a pandemic, virtual parties have become a creative way to connect and celebrate with loved ones. With the right tools and a little imagination, you can create memorable experiences that bring joy to everyone involved. Don’t forget to add a special touch, like sharing the smallest cake in the world, to make your virtual gathering even more delightful!
