Hopefully we are in the last phase of this pandemic. Another holiday yet again will have to be celebrated with social distancing in effect. Though you might not be able to see the ball drop in Time Square or party the night away at your favorite nightclub there are still a few things you can do to celebrate the New Year during a pandemic.
Have a Dinner Party
Dinner parties are the new trend for eating a meal with your loved ones. Decide on a theme ( ie. black and gold or sequin and silver), have your guest dress in relation to the theme and decorate your table accordingly. Most people these days are thrilled for a reason to dress up. Since we live in a technical world, you don’t have to worry about sending out invitations. Simply send a nice text message. I recommend serving a three-course meal later in the evening. If you have the dinner party too early it might be hard to keep your guest entertained until the countdown. I would also recommended inviting a social group of guest. Sitting at a table with people can be intimate and I wouldn’t advise inviting anyone that can’t hold a conversation at the dinner table. If you know most of your guest aren’t social butterflies, it’s really important that they participate in this next step.
Start with a cocktail hour. As your guest arrive you can offer drinks or champagne and a few hors d’oeuvres. Drinks are the easiest way to lighten the mood at a party. For your hors d’oeuvres meatballs, eggrolls, chips and dip, meat and cheese platters or veggie or fruit platters will do. Something to consider for your decorations is a photo wall and cocktail hour is the perfect time to take advantage of this. Don’t forget to have music playing in your background to set the mood.
Serve an appetizer. Now that all of your guest have arrived and you’ve broken the ice with cocktails have everyone sit at the table for their appetizer. I would suggest something light like salad and/or bread rolls. This should soak up all of the alcohol they’ve had during cocktail hour.
Bring out the main course. I would also suggest something light for the main course. Pastas are easy to make and not too much to digest. You can also serve a cocktail at dinner for aesthetics and to keep everyone with a good buzz.
Serve dessert. Keep it simple with a cake. This would also be a good time to make a toast, thank the people who helped plan the party and the guest for coming. You can also reflect on anything from the previous year and give inspiration to everyone for the year to come. You are after all trying to entertain your guest until midnight.
Turn Up. Hopefully by this time your guest are ready to dance. Have a TV on mute or your phone on a timer and dance until it’s time for the countdown. Make your playlist in advance.
If you don’t have the means to provide a three course meal, you can always ask each guest to bring a dish for a pot-luck style dinner.
Have a Game Night
Have a few friends come over (with a bottle) order pizza and wings and host a game night. It’s a casual and affordable way to bring in the New Year. There’s a lot of New Year themed and drinking games you can google outside of the typical Scatagories. Don’t forget to leave the TV on so everyone can take a shot at midnight.
Have a Sleepover
For everyone looking to bring in their New Year on chill vibes invite a few close friends over for a sleepover on New Years eve. The dress code is pajamas. Make popcorn, gossip and watch movies until you pass out. Just don’t forget to look out for the countdown. Here is a list a movies to get you in the New Year spirt:
- New Years Eve
- While You Were Sleeping
- When Harry Met Sally
- Two Lovers
- Are We There Yet
- The Age of Adeline
The morning after, cook breakfast and start the year writing your goals and making vision boards with all of your sleepover buddies.
Go See Fireworks
This a a family-friendly activity you can enjoy on New Years Eve. Google your local city, parks or beaches and show up. They usually have free firework shows.
Get a Hotel Room
It’s hard staring at the same four walls because of a pandemic. If you’re looking for New Years plans with a significant other get a nice hotel room the night before. I promise getting out of the house to go to even a local hotel will be worth the stay. Decorate the room with rose petals, balloons, a bucket of champagne (trust me it’s all about the details) and a few gifts if you’re ambitious. It’s a prefect way to show your loved one how appreciative you are for bringing in the New Year with them.