What. A. Year. As we prepare to bid farewell to 2020 things are going to look a little different than last New Year's Eve and a little more like the rest of this year. The CDC recommends staying home and celebrating with your household as the safest option but that doesn't mean that you can't still have a fun celebration at home to ring in the new year! Below I have compiled the best ideas to celebrate New Year's Eve at home in 2020; check them out and use as many as you'd like to wish 2020 warmest regards.
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Get dressed up - just because you're not going anywhere doesn't mean you can't get fancy! Throw on that dress you likely haven't worn in a while...you know, the one that makes you feel amazing and looks phenomenal. Pair it with your favorite Avery + Emory earrings and you're set to rock the evening! (May I suggest any of our petals or beautiful sparkly druzy styles? We even have clip-on options for littles without pierced ears to join in the dress up fun!)
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...or don't! - if cozy and casual is more your style (I'm right there with you!), grab your comfiest jammies for the evening. Any of the druzy studs in the shop are a perfect addition as they're super comfortable, weightless, and add sparkle to even the most casual outfit!
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Make your own pizza - this is an especially fun (and less messy!) option if you have littler kids! All you need is ingredients for this super easy pizza dough (seriously, I've been using this recipe for years and it's amazing!), shredded cheese, and toppings. Each person can make their own unique pizza according to their preferences. Win/win!
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Ice cream sundae or hot chocolate bar - this can be done in addition to the pizza idea or as a stand alone celebration and is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages! You can either get the tiny pre-packaged ice creams or go for hot chocolate for everyone to personalize. Set out sprinkles, marshmallows, crushed up cookies and crackers, fruit, candy, nuts, whipped cream...the sky is the limit!
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DIY photobooth - grab odds and ends from the dress up area or just random things from around the house, tack up a sheet as a backdrop, and you have a great photobooth to take goofy pictures! Everyone will have so much fun and you'll likely have more pictures than you otherwise would have.
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Netflix countdown for kids (or adults that don't want to stay up late!) - this is a fantastic option we've been using in our house the past couple of years. Netflix has a collection of countdown options that you can play on demand...and as many times as you want! Just search "countdown" on the app and choose the character(s) you want to see. You can ring in 2021 at 8:00 p.m. then get the kids off to bed and either get some sleep yourself or continue the celebration.
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Make a vision board - there are a variety of ways you can do this from the old-fashioned glue sticks, scissors, and magazines to a more high tech option on Canva. You can do this yourself and use it as a time of reflection on the past year and hopes and dreams for 2021 or you can get the family in on the fun and allow everyone in your house to make their own dream board!
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Journal and reflect on the year - if you're more of an introvert like me, this may be just your pace! Brew a cup of tea, cozy up in your favorite chair, and bust out your journal and pen! Here are some prompts to get you started:
- Reflect on the past year--the good, the bad, and the ugly--and how it has changed you. What are three positive things that came out of 2020?
- What are three new things you want to try in 2021?
- Write about who you are and what you are proud to have accomplished already. What do you hope to achieve in your lifetime? How can you move the needle in 2021?
- What is something you wish you could go back and tell yourself on 12.31.2019? What about something you want to tell your future self on 12.31.2021?
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Declutter - honestly, a few years ago I may have thought this sounded boring but now it sounds fantastic! Identifying things that I don't need and getting rid of them makes me feel lighter, which sounds like an amazing way to start the new year!
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Read - whether you go with a read from your favorite author or a new non-fiction book this is a cozy and fun way to welcome 2021. I'm currently reading Elastic Habits by Stephen Guise, which I highly recommend if you are at all interested in habit formation!
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Movie night - have a movie marathon! You can let each person pick a movie, watch some you've had on your list for a while, or rewatch your faves for the millionth time...totally up to you!
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Happy hour - if you're not just totally done with video calls after this year, a virtual happy hour is always a fun option! I like to limit it to three or four participants so it's not too crazy and everyone can participate. You can always grab a glass of champagne or these mocktail recipe ideas to avoid the hangover!
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Game night - this can be done in-person or via Zoom but no matter which route you choose it will be a blast! Board games are usually best when you're together--dominoes and Catch Phrase are our family go-tos but What Do You Meme Family Edition looks super fun--but there are some that can be done virtually! You can always pull out a fun puzzle or challenge each other to a tic-tac-toe tournament too.
If you're going virtual my personal favorite game option is an escape room. There is a super fun Harry Potter themed one here but I'm sure you can find other free or inexpensive options with a quick search too. Etsy has a really fantastic array of options for reasonably-priced games from murder mysteries to printable party packs!
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Spa night - this is the perfect combination of hanging out with friends (online) and relaxing! You can do face masks and nails together from afar; if you're not familiar with Color Street I definitely recommend taking a look at them. They're real nail polish strips that you can put on at home and they have petite sizes for little fingers! I'm not affiliated with the company (besides being a raving fan!) but you can check out my fave stylist's page here.
- Watch local celebrations - you can Google "new year's eve [insert your zip code]" and find what streaming celebrations and firework shows are happening in your area!
No matter how you spend the evening, I wish you a year full of joy and happiness in 2021! Things are looking up and I'm excited to see what positive things the year brings.