‘Tis the season for friends, family and endless holiday celebrations. While the holiday season is a time give back, express gratitude and spend quality time with loved ones, it’s also an opportunity to have a little too much fun. Living in the city means endless possibilities for celebrating — dressing up as one of the way too many Santas at the bar, hosting an ugly sweater party at your apartment, or counting down to the new year. No matter what your holiday traditions are, we want to make sure you celebrate them safely, which is why we’re offering these tips to make sure you stay on the nice list this year.
Out on the Town
If your plans for the holidays involve anything but staying home, keep these tips in mind to make sure your night out is fun and safe for everyone.
Travel In Groups
This may sound like your mother’s advice, and that’s because it is. The holiday season is a busy time in the city. With more people visiting to enjoy holiday festivities, it can be easy to lose track of your friends. Make sure the group you arrive with is the group you leave with.
Set limits and stick to them.
As you get older, the holidays tend to be less about unwrapping gifts and more about spending time catching up with old friends. If you plan to drink during a night out, set limits for yourself and make sure you have a sober ride home.
Hosting
If you’ve decided to skip the bar scene this year to host all of your closest friends in your home instead — there are some things you should know.
Understand Your Lease. As a renter in Boston, you should first re-read your lease before offering your place up as the party scene. Your lease agreement may limit parties based on things like size, require prior written approval from the landlord or property manager, or prohibit parties at all. This is extremely important to know because no one wants to end a fun night with a fine or eviction notice.
Create a guest list. To make sure things don’t get out of hand, plan ahead with a guest list. This ensures that you know everyone in your home and can prevent the gathering from getting too big or out of control.
Serve food and non-alcoholic beverages. Make sure there are options for people not consuming alcohol, like sober drivers, and plenty of food. You should also consider having a cut-off point where you stop serving alcohol.
Do not let anyone drive drunk. If a guest has been over served, make sure they have a safe, sober ride home, or allow them to spend the night.
Decorate Safely. Is your beautifully lit tree near a heat source? Can your menorah be easily knocked over? Holiday decorations help everyone get in the spirit — but can also pose as fire hazards. Make sure you properly water your tree and opt for battery-powered candles to be safe. Don’t forget to move breakables to a safe location as well.
The holiday season has officially taken over and in the city, that means endless celebration opportunities. No matter how you partake in the festivities — safety should always be a priority. For more information about social host liability, read our blog here. And for more guides to all things Boston, look for our #BostonHacks by following us on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.
