Holiday
10 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2020 in Quarantine
With most events canceled and many public gathering places closed this holiday season, you can still have a grand time on December 31st this New Year’s Eve, highlighting all of what 2020 has meant to us. We still need to practice social distancing and limit our numbers to stay healthy, especially during winter. Don’t fret; I’ve got some ideas on how to have fun, safely, in the most memorable ways. This will be a New Year celebration to go down in the history books, and it’s just about getting creative.
NYC Virtual Ball Drop
The famous event will not be deterred by this pandemic – there are still plans to have the ball drop, virtually. Let’s face it, for most of us not living in New York City, this will be no different than when we followed this tradition on TV. NYC is planning on pulling out all the stops with performances and more on December 31st, and now, you’ll have front-row access. If you want to hop around to different celebrations, Steve Aoki will be hosting the virtual LA New Year’s Eve party.
Throw a Household Party
CDC guidelines are asking everyone to stick to their own household for holiday gatherings, and whether that’s one or 10 people, you can still throw a household party! Dress up fancy, decorate, make a playlist and get your hors d’oeuvres on. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can’t make this a special occasion. It’s worth it to celebrate with those you live with every day.
Host a Zoom Party
This may seem obvious, but I encourage you to connect up virtually with your loved ones. Zoom has removed the meeting time limit from December 30th until January 2nd. We need connection, even during social distancing. Take it upon yourself to host a Zoom meeting and send out invites, especially if you have decorated, so you can show it off with cameras on. We’re all getting the hang of virtual spaces and maybe you’ll even choose to do this in years to come.
New Year’s Eve Cocktail Menu
Send out a cocktail menu with recipes (or non-alcoholic beverages) to friends you plan on checking in virtually with during New Year’s eve, so you can share a drink together and toast the end of 2020. If you’re in the same town, it would be an extra special gesture to bring them a cocktail mix care package. Slip in a confetti popper for the stroke of midnight for extra fun.
Plan a Year-in-Review
If you do have a virtual party, add a task to your invite: Prepare a presentation with your year’s highlights. Since most of us had a lot of canceled plans, the presentations are bound to be hilarious around-the-house moments colored creatively for a cheering audience. Ask your invitees to go all out with their best presentation styles.
Host Drive-In Karaoke
In a large paved lot or an outdoor field space, have a drive-in karaoke party with your friends. Set up a “stage” with lights, a microphone and a boom box. Don’t forget the sanitizing spray. The audience can stay in their cars and everyone can download a walkie-talkie app like Zello to cheer and react together. It’ll almost remind you of 2019.
Find a Unique Virtual Event
Maybe you’re not the hosting type, but you still want to party. Eventbrite has listings of loads of virtual events that are paid or free, from Snoop Dogg’s virtual NYE special to comedy shows to Zoom Bingo. Isn’t it the best of both worlds to stay at home comfortably and still party all night? Best part is you can dip out easily whenever you want to head to bed.
Order Takeout or Delivery
At a time when our favorite restaurants are going through a rough time, you can support them and have a grand spread for your New Year celebration. Check out the websites of your favorite local eats to find special menus and take out cocktails. This is a great opportunity to do a course meal with appetizers from one place, entrees from another and dessert and drinks from somewhere else. Let people in your household plan and choose their course/restaurant for some added surprises.
Have a Classic Game Night
I’m not talking about what we do in regular life with fancy streaming games, but a socially distant online game night where you gather in a virtual meeting space and play games. You can host a virtual Bingo game, play Mafia, pictionary, charades, Boggle… Sometimes the classic ones are the most fun, and these are games that can be done easily together, either through an app or just by sharing screens. Extra points if you turn Scattergories into a drinking game.
Write a Wish List
Christmas may have come and gone, but with the year we’ve had, you probably have some wishes for 2020. Write out your wishes for 2021, whether that’s a wish leading to a resolution or just a hope that you would like to put out there for optimism’s sake. Post your wish list and ask your friends to do the same – it’ll help you look forward to a fresh start.
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