How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve Indoors

The pandemic has ruined many a plan in 2020, and as a result, this year has been incredibly stressful and isolating for folks. Many of us are looking forward to the holidays to reconnect with family and friends and squeeze in some desperately needed social time. However, as much as we would all like the world to return to normal — even if it means returning to traffic and clogged grocery aisles, it hasn’t happened yet.

The CDC highly advises people avoid activities — like parties and gatherings — with those you don’t live with in order to keep your loved ones and communities healthy and safe from COVID-19 and the flu.

Let’s face it. We might be Zoomed out, but if we want to see our friends and family this year, it’ll best be done through the wonders of the internet. Your online party doesn’t have to resemble an awkward company meeting, though! Here are some ideas for connecting with your loved ones who don’t live with you.

Decorate
Just because it’s you at home and not a whole bunch of people, doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up the place a bit. Buy those 2021 balloons. Clean up your house (or at least the part showing in your webcam). Bring out the New Year’s Eve hats and noisemakers.

Dress up
Make the occasion feel special and trick your brain into thinking it’s not just business as usual by dressing up in your fanciest party clothing, putting on makeup, getting that ring light so you look amazing on-screen, and toasting your friends in your finest duds.

Host a wine tasting or fancy party
If you plan ahead, you can use a local event planner like Black Vines that will deliver wine and food pairings for your local friends so everyone can have the same menu. Alternatively, folks can make their own favorites and everyone can celebrate and toast together.

“It's tradition in our house to make steak, lobster, and asparagus for dinner,” Rachel Barry told Mom.com. “We also get sparkling apple cider for the kids along with noisemakers and funny New Year's glasses or hats.”

Don’t have the energy to make a big deal out of the passing of one year to the next? We totally get it. I can’t even gather up the energy to change from my nighttime pajamas to my daytime pajamas. Instead, try these low-key ways to celebrate.

Movie marathon
Fire up the microwave popcorn, order takeout, get out the cozy blankets, and settle into your spot on the couch and queue up your Netflix. Binge-watch the entire Fast and Furious franchise (a true delight) — or maybe you’re a traditionalist like Michelle Newby who told Mom.com, “We will have pizza and a Star Wars marathon.”

New Year food delivery
For those of us who absolutely cannot stand the thought of feeding their family one more time during the pandemic, order delivery or takeout from a local small business. “We will celebrate New Year’s Eve indoors this year by ordering our favorite foods locally and then hosting a dance-off and video game competition,” Tomika Bryant told Mom.com. Not only will you be bolstering the local economy, you’re making your own life easier.

Board game marathon
Grab all the games — or playing cards — and a charcuterie board (yes, this is mandatory because cheese and cured meats make everything classier) and sit down for hours of fun with your family. What better way to ring in the new year than to stoke sibling rivalries and make memories.

A time of contemplation
Whether it’s reflecting on your year, discussing your New Year's resolutions, or just a moment of silence, build time to stop and mark the passing of time. “Normalize talking or expressing authentically about emotions,” Dr. Jean-Arellia Tolentino told Mom.com. “Creating time for reflection provides a way for children and parents to navigate strong emotions that may be coming up.”

Bryant told us, “Around 11 p.m., we will virtually gather with other family members and we pray the new year in.” Whatever your faith tradition (if any), a little contemplation never hurt anyone.