Sit at home and are afraid of parties? But the New Year is coming soon! Here are a few tips on how to organize an online party that will be at least somehow similar to a party

The second wave of pandemia, new restrictions, the number of cases is growing. Perhaps you are sitting at home and do not see anyone. And soon the New Year! This means that you are probably waiting for a meeting with friends and parties in Zum. Most likely, you have already participated in such parties and you didn’t really like it (yes, it’s hard to spend them efficiently, especially in a large composition), but it’s worth trying again. Since some ethics of online holidays have already been formed, these are a few tips-how to organize an online party and maximize the level of frustration.

The first and most important advice is to reduce expectations

You are unlikely to unite people from different companies; Guests will not be divided by interests; You cannot hug anyone; At some point, everyone will begin to speak at the same time and no one will be heard. But this is not a reason to cancel the holiday! So take a deep breath and follow the advice below.

No spontaneity, everything should be carefully planned

Sudden online welfare is never good. All participants will quickly become bored. Topics for conversations will run out after a few minutes, and when they get tired of smiling, a person will come out, referring to a bad connection. But there is good news. You just need to plan everything in advance: the date, time, list of guests and a platform for group video calls (there are many zoom , Google Meet , Skype Meet , Messenger Rooms , Whereby , etc.).

Before the party, create a common chat

Gather everyone a couple of days before the party in the group chat in the messenger. Discuss the subject (maybe you even come up with a dress code), appoint responsible for music, tell the older relatives how to install the program (if they have problems with setting up, consult them in advance, otherwise you risk being late for your own holiday). Remind your grandmother that it is better to bring everything (food, drinks, phone) and put an outstretched hand at a distance-so as not to go back and forth. And if you want to leave your personal affairs, remember, you should deploy a microphone.

It is important to consider the timing of the parties. Excuse me how much and how it all begins, and most importantly - when it will end to understand how you can occupy the guests. Tip: the main part should last two hours maximum.

Send teasers courier delivery

Bake something tasty, harvest tinctures and send to your friends on the eve of the festival by courier delivery. Even if they suddenly planned not to come, now conscience will not allow them. In general, remind and warm up the interest in the party until its start.

Do not forget about the toamada!

On an online liger, it is better to have a leader (host, moderator). It doesn’t matter how you call him, his role is important: this person should not let the ball fall. Agree with who it will be (maybe you yourself are ready), and discuss in detail what you will do and talk about.

Use a laptop, not a phone

Try to use a large screen - the more, the better. If there are a lot of participants, you are unlikely to be able to make out everyone you called, in the phone screen.

Choose a perspective and take care of the background

Experiment with a picture. Check how you look in the frame and what you have in the background. Do not put the screen opposite the direct source of light, but do not highlight yourself from below (unless it is a good-wound). It is best if you fall on a bright side light (move a floor lamp or lamp, and better than two, and advise you to do it to everyone).

The laptop can be put on a stack of books so that you are convenient, and remember the background. In some applications, you can find many backgrounds: if you don’t have enough time to remove the apartment, you can easily install dolphins and palm trees. Let the guests consider them, this is not a lecture. And so it is easier to keep attention on each other.

Say so that everyone comes on time

How impolite it is to come to a regular party on time, it is so right to do it online. Otherwise, the most punctual guest will sit alone and wait for the rest, without the slightest chance of communication.

So where to start a party

Let everything start, for example, from the online bar format. Come up with a drink of the evening, prepare the ingredients in advance and mix the cocktails together according to the instructions (it is better to send the instructions to the general chat in advance).

Meet the guests

Remember that, perhaps, not everyone is familiar with each other, and no one canceled politeness in the online mode (in addition you will pull it). If a new window appears, be sure to imagine the guest to everyone else, tell us briefly how you met, what he does and immediately involve the common cause.

Than to do

Look, it is important that it is not bored. If you plan to talk, think in advance topics and questions. Be sure to think about any activities-many classes are already adapted for online format. For example, you can organize an auction (let everyone prepares in advance on a valuable thing), conduct a fortune -telling from books for next year or a joint viewing of a horrorist ( Netflix already offers this ), arrange an evening of poetry (idea: read in the manner of the Brodsky texts of Russian pop songs and guess the group, just imagine a pale bartender, with a trembling hand ...), play board games or charades (for example, in the inputs “Crocodile”-the mystery word can be sent to a private message on the phone, and in the Chat of Zuma everyone will write solidaries) or cook something unusual together. In the end, there is always karaoke on YouTube and dancing.

Do not tighten

Once again about timing. Even if you have planned and came up with everything, the thread of the conversation can get lost, and the focus of attention is quickly lost. Therefore, choose the moment when you finish the main part of the evening. But like at any other party, of course, there will be those who want to linger in the kitchen with a guitar and chief. An obvious plus - no one will turn the table with salads!

Say goodbye if you want to go out earlier

Let everyone know before leaving the video chat. There will be no suitable moment on the online lush to escape, your departure in English will be considered the highest manifestation of rudeness (notice everything) or explain problems with the connection (then they will begin to search for you).

Do not be sad that it all ended

Make a record of this party to have something to remember. Happy New Year!

By the way, if you have ideas, share with us!

Anya Budzyak