Top of my list of New Year At Home Ideas is to get creative with drinks. Who doesn’t love to toast the New Year in with style? Make sure you have a great selection of drinks by reading the BBC Good Food’s List of Christmas Cocktails and Mocktails and get the kids involved too by getting them to help mix their own mocktails!
Just because it’s your household, you can still keep things special. This isn’t just a New Year Idea, but for any special occasion. Get out that little black dress…. dust off that tux. Tonight we party darrrrrrrling!!
What better time to enjoy an evening under the stars than New Year’s Eve (ahem, weather permitting)? Wrap up cosy, get out some blankets and snuggle under the winter sky. Have you got a fire pit? Light it! Have a BBQ? Light it (they’re really not just for summer!). Pizza Ovens, camping stoves.. they’re all options. Toast some marshmallows, roast some chestnuts and sip on mulled wine. Nope, that’s not just for Christmas.
And what better way to end the year than by making some shapes with sparklers (top tip- stick them in carrots to make them a bit safer for little hands).
This one may need booking WELL in advance! Enjoy the Lockdown NYE celebrations on the big screen by hiring a Home Cinema kit such as Home Cinema Hire Leeds (you could even get it for outdoors!). Lacking the funds? No problem- film night it is, just don’t forget the popcorn!
Now is the take to take a look back on the year – what were the best bits? Look through photos and share memories (what about creating a memory board?). Celebrate anything that you’ve accomplished- and maybe think of some goals for the year ahead!
Cheesy Music, Flashing lights, Kareoke (?!?) and a nice long list of Festive Games for children that you could play too! Sprinkle in some extra fun with a bubble machine, party poppers and streamers! For small children make it GLOW with glow sticks and a disco ball!
Staying up late? Make a night of it by building dens in your lounge and having a family sleepover.
There’s really no need for anything fancy- and this works particularly well if you have older children. Charades, Who Am I, Pictionary… have a go at all the family favourites and win some serious bragging power for the year ahead.
There are some great online options too… quizzes, bingo, escape rooms. Why not try something new?
What’s a party without decorations? You could get children involved in making paper chains, and never underestimate the power of balloons! See how many can you get into a room? A whole night of fun for little ones!!
From a finger buffet to a pizza party, make food part of the main event. Hit pinterest for ideas of themes and displays.
Make sure that you plan some times in advance- otherwise it might be a bit of carnage! If you have other friends and family with children, use the time to play some games. One of the best ones if shouting out an object that you have in the house, and the first person to return to the screen with that object gets a point. My daughter LOVES playing this!! Dust off all those quiz skills and do a HUGE family quiz! Want more suggestions of easy virtual games? Read this post.
ALREADY DREADING JANUARY? Have a look at these ideas to stay positive in January.
