How to Handle Holiday Gatherings With Unvaccinated Guests

People are finally feeling confident about getting out and socializing with family and friends this holiday season. Ham, turkey and all of the fixings are on the menu, but enjoying a meal with loved ones may not be as carefree as you think due to the vaccination status of some of your guests. The question of whether you can “require” a guest to be vaccinated before they enter your home is valid. Can you ask your brother and his wife if they have received their shot, and what do you do about their young children? These are murky waters fraught with trepidation and angst. But, you are not alone. Keep reading for my thoughts on handling holiday gatherings when it comes to unvaccinated guests this season.

According to a recent Harris poll, over half of the respondents (54%) were “extremely” reluctant to share the holidays with unvaccinated friends or family members. If you’re feeling this way, it’s important to let the host know early you will not be attending the gathering. It’s the ultimate RSVP etiquette to let the host know in a timely fashion. For those on the fence about sharing the table—or any space—with someone who has chosen to forgo the shot (and remember, there are some valid reasons one may opt out of the vaccine), here are a few tips.

Open A Dialogue

While you are not obligated to take any advice, and not everyone’s input may be useful, getting feedback from family members on what they suggest to do to keep those with vaccination concerns safe encourages collaboration and understanding. A “who cares” attitude won’t be helpful, but some thoughts on how to boost the comfort level of all guests may (or may not) be possible.

Covid Test Before Entering

Some families are requiring each member, regardless of who they are or how closely they are related, to get tested before entering the home. This gives those who are immunocompromised or those who are feeling uncomfortable an opportunity to make a decision on whether or not they feel assured enough to attend the celebration.

Indoor Ventilation

Depending on the weather and temperature in your area, outdoors is still the best place to gather when socializing with those who are not vaccinated. Heaters and fire pits are a necessity when the weather is frigid. If the party is indoors, proper ventilation, HEPA filters and social distancing with masks are still recommended for those not vaccinated.

An Honest Conversation

This simply may not be the year for everyone. If you or your fellow guests are not completely comfortable with inviting unvaccinated guests, let your family member or friend know early. Reassure them you are not judging them for their decision but must stay true to your comfort level and the comfort level of your family. Keep your tone of voice pleasant, let them know you love them and look forward to visiting with them in the near future.

Follow Up

You may consider calling those who were not invited to the party, the following week to keep the relationship from taking a bad turn. There is a good possibility that feelings will be bruised even though you were as diplomatic as possible. Nurture the relationship by touching base by text, phone or dropping something off at the door during the holidays. This is a difficult time, and although there is light at the end of the tunnel, not everyone is on the same page.

It’s important to think about how you want these relationships to look in a year, doing what you can to lessen potentially hurt feelings. If you are the one who was not invited, do your part to try and understand the reasoning behind your friend’s or family member’s decision and respect their feelings.

Be sure to check out The Protocol School of Texas. You may also like Disinviting a Guest for Thanksgiving Dinner. Read Diane’s posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.