Holiday Party Guide

Nov. 10, 2021

Update 12/2: Princeton University and surrounding communities have seen a significant increase in COVID cases over the past few weeks. With this in mind, in-person indoor holiday gatherings with eating and drinking are not recommended at this time. The University is not prohibiting these gatherings, but urges departments to explore alternate options, including postponement

As University departments consider celebrating the end of the year with holiday parties or gatherings, it is important to review the latest policies. Current University guidelines allow for a return to in person events, with a few restrictions, requirements, and suggestions. See Gatherings and Events Guidelines for more information.

Spaces

The University has determined that indoor spaces are safe for events and gatherings up to the posted (“normal”) capacity of the room. The current tents on campus will be taken down on November 19th.  Groups will be asked to use indoor spaces for gatherings during the winter months for the following reasons:

  • Tents with sides and heaters are considered indoor spaces and have little to no air circulation, making them less COVID safe than a space inside a building.
  • After December 1st, tents require additional permitting for potential snow load capacity and require additional time and expense to approve. 

Departments are permitted to host events off-campus, either at faculty or staff homes, or in event spaces. However, if the event is sponsored by Princeton University, our policies and guidelines are in effect, no matter the location of the event.

Guests

  • Departments are encouraged to keep holiday parties and gatherings restricted to Princeton University faculty, staff, and students.
  • All guests must follow the Visitor Policy, including attesting to being vaccinated and providing contact information in case contact tracing is needed.
  • Unvaccinated visitors, including children under 12, are not permitted at this time. Fully vaccinated children (14 days after the second dose) are permitted.
  • Please keep attendance, especially for guests. If someone attending the event tests positive within a few days of the event, this will help with contact tracing.

Food

  • All events must follow the Guidance for Eating and Drinking Indoors.
  • If possible, departments are encouraged to work with Princeton University Catering or Restaurant Associates. These departments are confirmed to be following Princeton University COVID guidelines and are considered the safest options at this time.
  • If an event requires an external caterer, either due to availability or food selection, any staff staying with the event must attest to being vaccinated. External caterers may do “drop offs” of food without having to attest to vaccination status.
  • Food trucks must be approved by A formal meeting in which many people gather in order to talk about ideas or problems related to a particular topic, usually for one or more days. Is often advertised to a targeted audience, however can be open to the public and generally includes a registration process. and Events Services, properly permitted, and parked in an approved location.

Alternative Ideas

While the ability to gather together again after such a long period of time should be celebrated, many are still uncomfortable with gathering indoors in close proximity to others. Departments are encouraged to gauge the comfort level of their colleagues before planning holiday parties or gatherings.

  • Consider events without food which would allow participants to keep masks on.
  • Rather than a large holiday party, consider having multiple, smaller, get togethers for teams within a department.
  • Community service projects, art classes, or outdoor walking tours allow departments to celebrate outside of the office in safe environments.
  • Postponing the celebration to late December or January (toast to the new year) provides time for children 5 to 11 to be fully vaccinated and able to participate.