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If you are like many Americans, the threat of the Omicron variant has got you contemplating changing your New Year’s Eve plans. Just because you decide to keep it small at home this year, it does not mean that you still cannot have a great time. Here are a few fun ways that you can ring in the new year at home with your closest friends and family.
Pajama Party
There is no better night of the year to get cozy at home than New Year’s Eve. Stay comfortable by making the theme of cozy the focal point of your New Year’s celebration. Everyone needs to wear their favorite pair of pajamas and slippers to take part in the fun. Encourage guests to bring their favorite pillow and blanket. Pick out some movies to watch, pop the popcorn, and enjoy a night of staying cozy and comfortable. If you have young kids, consider putting sleeping bags out on the living room floor and making it a sleepover party.
In-Home Spa
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Why not pamper yourself on the last night of the year? An in-home spa party is a good idea if you are feeling rundown and in need of a little self-care. You can find a number of materials at your local drugstore to pull this off. Good ideas include manicures and pedicures, face masks, exfoliating foot scrubs, and hand massages. Be sure to include candles and soft music to create a relaxing vibe. You can take this one step further by offering cucumber spa water and delicate tea sandwiches.
Create a Time Capsule
One particularly awesome way to remember the past year is to use the last night of 2021 to create a time capsule. Take a stroll down memory lane by documenting the major world news events, family vacations, and the most popular trends of the year. Pull all of these moments together and put them away until next year. Making a time capsule is a fun tradition that you can visit every year as a family
Plan Your 2022 Trips and Outings
Rather than looking back at 2021, you can use New Year’s Eve to look ahead to the new year. One way to get excited about what lies ahead is to plan the fun trips that you want to take as a family. Brainstorm different destinations, research activities, check out flight prices, and put these ideas on paper. This is a fun family activity that everyone will get into.
Game of the Hour
If you want an element of surprise for your New Year’s Eve celebration, consider planning the game of the hour activity. Prior to the festivities getting started, write down a number of different games and activities and put these ideas in a hat. At the top of every hour, pull out an idea and play it. This can be board games, card games, or any type of activity that your family may enjoy. Maybe it is as simple as “load into the car and go grab ice cream?” This is especially fun for young children as the anticipation will build over and over throughout the night.
Romantic Dinner at Home
If it is just the two of you at home this New Year’s Eve, it is the perfect night to plan a fancy night in. You can either choose to make a gourmet meal yourself or order takeout from your favorite upscale restaurants. One of the silver linings of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is that many restaurants have pivoted to offering a robust takeout business, making it easier than ever to enjoy premium food in the comfort of your own home. Be sure to carry the theme throughout the night by dressing up in your finest duds, putting on some romantic music, and lighting the candles.
Share Highlights and Look Ahead
If you are hosting a small group, the intimacy makes it easy for everyone to share highlights of the past year. Ask your guests to talk about the top three things that happened to them in 2021. Even if you are feeling down about the year, taking the time to intentionally discuss the highlights will help you recognize the good parts of the year. After you have finished reflecting on the positive aspects of 2021, use this time to look ahead and set some goals for 2022. This is a healthy way to mark the passing of time, making it an ideal activity as you say goodbye to 2021.
Livestream the Countdown
The highlight of any New Year’s Eve celebration is the countdown to midnight. You can build the excitement to this moment by live-streaming the countdown. There are a number of special television programs that make this entertaining. Choose your favorite host and settle in for the night of fun as the anticipation builds.
You will not even miss the crowds and raucous revelry if you try one of these eight fun ideas. Here’s to a great 2022!
