How To Prep Your Home For The Holidays During COVID-19

Holiday gatherings look different in 2025, but they can be both joyful and safer with today’s symptom-based guidance and layered protections. The CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends a simple approach: stay home when you’re sick, return once symptoms are improving and you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without medication, then add precautions (masking, cleaner indoor air, hand hygiene) for several days. These steps apply broadly to COVID-19, flu, and RSV, and can be scaled based on your guests’ risks and local conditions.

While you’re reducing respiratory virus risk, use current tools: keep rapid antigen tests on hand and repeat a negative home test after 48 hours if illness is still suspected (FDA; CDC testing). If someone at higher risk tests positive, some antivirals must start within 5 days of symptom onset—contact a clinician promptly (NIH COVID‑19 Treatment Guidelines). Stay up to date on vaccination: CDC recommends a 2024–2025 COVID‑19 vaccine for everyone ≥6 months, aligned to the JN.1 lineage; updated vaccines have reduced COVID‑19–associated hospitalization risk by about half in recent U.S. evaluations (CDC: Stay Up to Date; CDC: Vaccine Effectiveness). COVID‑19 vaccine can be given at the same visit as seasonal flu and, if eligible, RSV vaccines (CDC guidance).

As always, we recommend making sure your home is covered by homeowner’s insurance in the event something unexpected, like a fire in the fireplace or from a candle, interrupts the festivities. In 2025, review deductibles and endorsements that commonly affect holiday-season claims—water/ sewer backup endorsements, roof settlement terms (replacement cost vs. ACV), and separate named‑storm or wind/hail deductibles. See consumer guidance from the NAIC and what a standard policy typically covers/excludes from the Insurance Information Institute.

In this article:

• Holiday Celebration Red Flags
• How Are Your Guests Arriving? 
• Having Tough Conversations 
• So Your Guests Have Arrived – What’s The Best Way To Keep Them Safe?
• Don’t Just Protect Your Guests – Protect Your House! 
• After the Party Ends

Holiday Celebration Red Flags 

Disclaimer: It’s reasonable to set clear health expectations for holiday events. Ask people who are ill to stay home until they meet return criteria, and encourage several days of added precautions after illness per the CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance. If someone can’t attend in person, offer a hybrid option like a short video toast or livestream (e.g., Zoom Events, Google Meet → YouTube livestream, or a casual Discord room) so everyone can participate.

Before opening your doors to guests this season, use these evidence-based questions to guide safer plans.

Has anyone in your family been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past but has not yet met the criteria for when it is safe to be around others?

Per the CDC, resume normal activities when both are true: overall symptoms are improving and you have been fever‑free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. For the next 5 days, add precautions: wear a high‑quality mask around others, improve indoor air (ventilation/filtration), practice hand hygiene, and consider testing before seeing people at higher risk.

• It has been ten days since your symptoms first appeared 
• You haven’t had a fever for that past 24 hours, and haven’t taken fever-reducing medications 
• Any other signs of COVID-19 that you experienced are improving (not including loss of taste or smell, which can linger for weeks)

Does anyone in your family have symptoms of COVID-19?

If so, they should stay home until symptoms are improving and they’re fever‑free for 24 hours without medication, then take added precautions for 5 days. Test promptly if COVID‑19 is suspected; if the first at‑home antigen test is negative but symptoms persist, repeat another antigen test after 48 hours or obtain a NAAT/PCR (CDC testing guidance; FDA serial testing).

\tCommon symptoms of respiratory viruses include:

• Congestion or runny nose
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Muscle or body aches
• Nausea or vomiting
• New loss of taste or smell
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Sore throat

Are any attendees waiting for COVID-19 viral test results?

If so, it’s safer to delay rather than risk exposing others—especially if symptoms are present or higher‑risk guests will attend. At‑home antigen results are rapid, but a single negative isn’t definitive early on; repeat an antigen test after 48 hours if illness is still suspected and check the FDA’s page for any test shelf‑life extensions (CDC testing; FDA).

Result timing varies by test type and setting. Use an FDA‑authorized test and follow manufacturer instructions; plan for serial testing if symptoms persist (FDA).

Have any of your attendees potentially been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days?

No routine quarantine is recommended in most community settings. Instead, take added precautions for 10 days after the last exposure and test at least 5 full days after exposure—or sooner if symptoms develop (CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance).

Are any of your attendees at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19?

\tOlder adults, people with certain chronic conditions, and those who are immunocompromised face higher risks. Encourage them to be up to date on the 2024–2025 COVID‑19 vaccine, consider added layers (e.g., high‑filtration masks) in crowded indoor spaces, and have a plan for rapid testing and prompt treatment—some antivirals must start within 5 days (CDC vaccines; NIH treatment guidance). COVID‑19 vaccination may be co‑administered with seasonal flu and, if eligible, RSV vaccines (CDC).

If you’re planning a holiday party, focus on clean indoor air rather than fixed distances. A practical target is ~5 or more air changes per hour of clean air (eACH) using ventilation, higher‑efficiency HVAC filters (MERV‑13+ where compatible), and portable HEPA units; DIY air cleaners can help when properly constructed. Use simple checks like CO₂ during occupancy—aim to keep levels as low as practical (commonly below ~800–1,000 ppm) to gauge ventilation effectiveness (CDC/NIOSH ventilation; ASHRAE Standard 241; EPA Clean Air in Buildings Challenge).

How Are Your Guests Arriving? 

Airports, train stations, and buses are often crowded during peak travel windows. Consider wearing a well‑fitting mask in transport hubs and on board—especially if you’ll see higher‑risk loved ones soon after travel—and keep a couple of rapid tests handy (CDC). AAA projects very busy holiday travel with extended windows that spread departures beyond peak days; using off‑peak times can reduce congestion and stress (AAA Newsroom).

If many family members are traveling, consider a central location so more can drive. Before visiting older or medically vulnerable relatives, consider testing, improve ventilation where you’ll gather, and add precautions for a few days after any recent illness (CDC testing; CDC ventilation).

Having Tough Conversations 

People weigh risks differently. Ground the discussion in shared goals: including high‑risk relatives, minimizing disruptions, and keeping the event low‑stress. Offer hybrid participation that’s easy to join—e.g., a Zoom Events stream (Zoom Events), a Google Meet with a YouTube livestream for watch‑only guests (Google), or a casual Discord after‑party with Activities (Discord). Point to consensus guidance from the CDC and WHO.

While everyone has a right to their opinion, make decisions that fit your household. If conflict occurs with a guest who thinks you’re too cautious, take a calm approach:

• Have a conversation about the subject, rather than reprimanding or lecturing
• Listen to their opinion with an open mind and without judgment
• Be empathic
• Quote sources and statistics, offering websites or articles you read
• Ask questions and answer with compassion.

The pandemic has been tough on everyone, and playing the blame game will only create further divisions between you and your loved ones. After all, it’s not your job to change the minds of everyone you know; it’s only to ensure the Holiday gathering is as safe as possible. Here are some examples of questions you might run into:

So Your Guests Have Arrived – What’s The Best Way To Keep Them Safe? 

No single step eliminates risk. Layer simple protections: encourage sick guests to stay home, ensure cleaner indoor air, and offer high‑quality masks during higher‑risk moments (crowded rooms, after a recent illness). See the CDC for details.

For this, we put together the best options for your indoor or outdoor holiday celebration.

Recommendations for outdoor celebrations

If possible and weather permitting, outdoor celebrations are safer by default because exhaled aerosols dilute rapidly in open air. If the weather is chilly, provide adequate heating—from a fire pit or outdoor heater to a bonfire—but remember that enclosed tents behave like indoor spaces and need ventilation/air cleaning if crowded (WHO ventilation recommendations).

Although you are outside, consider offering masks for tight clusters, keep hand‑hygiene supplies available, and design activities that naturally spread people out.

• Put up an inflatable movie screen or string an old sheet between two trees to watch a movie.
• Decorate ornaments or make wreaths that everyone can take home in remembrance of this year’s Holiday festivities.
• Build a bonfire and provide all the essentials for s’mores. Keep hot chocolate and beverages flowing!
• If you invite children, have chalk or washable paints on-hand for hours of fun.
• Play “bowl in the dark” with filled water bottles and a beachball.
• Dance.
• Take lots of photos to share all around.
• Play board games.

Recommendations for indoor celebrations  

If outdoor celebrations aren’t possible, prioritize “clean air” indoors. Aim for ~5 or more air changes per hour of clean air using a combination of ventilation, better HVAC filtration (MERV‑13+ where compatible), and portable HEPA units; upper‑room or in‑duct UVGI can add additional equivalent air changes. Open windows if safe, run exhaust fans, and use larger rooms when you can. CO₂ can serve as a practical proxy—try to keep occupied levels as low as possible, commonly under ~800–1,000 ppm (CDC/NIOSH; EPA; ASHRAE 241).

Offer high‑quality masks for anyone who wants extra protection (especially after a recent illness or around higher‑risk guests). You may also want to put some of these practices in place.

• Create boundaries for how many guests can occupy an individual room – consider rotating guests between different rooms in the house, much like speed-dating to ensure people can communicate while also helping them stay distanced from each other. 
• Have hygienic materials, like hand cleaner readily available, and/or encourage attendees to bring them hand sanitizer, tissues, and extra masks.
• Offer some fun indoor activities that you can do at a distance, and promote safety for kids, like:
  • Making their own holiday masks with holiday fabric + string – let guests pick their own themes! (Optional craft; masks are a helpful layer during higher‑risk moments.)
  • Bake and decorate cookies with a prize for the very best, funniest, prettiest, etc.
  • Play board games, but keep tables at least six feet apart. You may even consider separating the table into sections with plexiglass. And – everyone wears a mask!
  • Make pizzas
  • Watch a movie on the big screen TV, but make sure people sit apart from one another. 

Eating space can be limited indoors. Even so, try to spread diners across larger rooms, increase clean air during mealtime (open windows briefly, run HEPA), and shorten unmasked indoor time. Consider plated service or small‑group stations instead of long, crowded buffet lines.

Don’t Just Protect Your Guests – Protect Your House! 

In addition to protecting your friends and family, protect your home from intruders, accidents, and holiday mishaps. To limit potential homeowners insurance claims—and unpleasant gaps—review your policy and watch for common issues: correct dwelling limit, inflation guard/extended replacement cost, water/ sewer backup endorsement, roof coverage terms (replacement cost vs. ACV), and separate wind/hail or named‑storm deductibles (NAIC; III: policy forms).

Theft.
Install or turn on outdoor lighting to discourage porch pirates, use package holds/lockers, and avoid leaving gifts in plain sight. If you travel, ask a neighbor to watch your home and pause deliveries. Personal property is generally covered off‑premises (including items stolen from a car) under a standard homeowners policy, subject to deductible and sublimits for categories like jewelry or cash—review your limits and consider scheduling high‑value items (III).

Injuries and property damage.
Rowdy partiers or someone slipping on ice can ruin the party and cost you thousands. Moderate alcohol, have plenty of food, clear walkways, and keep sidewalks salted and free of snow. Make sure your personal liability limits are appropriate; consider an umbrella policy if you have significant assets (III).

Fires.
Decorate with care, use electric candles instead of real candles, water your Christmas tree, cook carefully, and attend fireplaces.

Remember these mishaps are not covered by homeowners insurance without specific endorsements or may have limited coverage:

• Sewer backup (typically excluded unless you’ve added a specific endorsement with its own limit; common add‑on limits are about $5,000–$25,000)
• Damage caused by pets (often excluded or limited—review your policy for specifics)
• Theft of valuables from inside your car (contents may be covered under your homeowners personal property off‑premises, subject to deductible and sublimits; auto insurance covers vehicle damage, not the stolen contents—confirm details with your insurer)

After The Party Ends 

Your party was a success, and guests left happy. If anyone becomes ill afterward, follow the symptom‑based return guidance: stay home until overall symptoms improve and you’re fever‑free for 24 hours without medication, then add precautions (masking, cleaner air, hand hygiene) for the next 5 days (CDC).

After guests depart, tidy up and consider precautions if you engaged in higher‑risk activities or learn that someone later tested positive. Test promptly if you develop symptoms; repeat a negative antigen test after 48 hours if suspicion remains, and check that at‑home tests haven’t expired (CDC testing; FDA). If you’re at higher risk and test positive, contact a clinician quickly—some antivirals must start within 5 days (NIH).

The Bottom Line 

With today’s flexible, evidence‑based approach—stay home when sick, use added precautions for a few days after illness, improve indoor air, test when needed, and keep vaccination up to date—you can celebrate together and start the New Year feeling connected and well. A quick policy checkup on your homeowners coverage reduces unpleasant surprises. For current health guidance and insurance basics, see the CDC and NAIC.