How to ring in New Year at home

“Let’s face it, we’re not likely to dress up in our finest out-on-the-town clothes and sit on the couch, but a fancy matching pyjama set will certainly elevate the evening and your mood.” Katelyn Hipson Elegant Productions

Even in New York City, the annual ball drop in Times Square is going to be a virtual event this year.

People around the globe are preparing to spend New Year's Eve at home with their families or immediate bubbles.

Because of COVID-19, people's safety is paramount, says Anna Patten, owner of Patten Events based in St. John's. This year, her family will be celebrating New Year's Eve a bit differently, partially because of COVID-19, and partially because they just had a baby.

Patten has decided to invite their bubble over for an early dinner. They will do curbside pick up from a local restaurant, as Patten says she wants to be able to enjoy the event with her family and not be in the kitchen cooking.

Key points for celebrating in style, says Patten, might include dressing up, setting the table, using fancy table decor, and sending out official invitations.

To make her dinner event different than just a regular Sunday family dinner, Patten will send out evites to their guests using a theme that she'll carry throughout the evening, including decorations and menus.

The table will be set with some festive decor from a local flower shop, and she will set the table and do name tags and menus on each person's spot, even the kids.

After dinner, Patten's husband will set off fireworks in the backyard for the kids.

“I want our guests to feel like this is a special event,” says Patten.

PLAN IN ADVANCE

Katelyn Hipson, owner of Elegant Productions, a wedding and event planning business in Halifax, is not only planning to celebrate New Year's Eve at home but also her fifth wedding anniversary.

She offers the following suggestions to celebrate at home in-style to still feel like you are doing something fun and memorable.

Start off, she says, by making plans in advance. Whether you're scheduling Zoom video-date with your closest couple friends, selecting a special menu, or choosing a movie to look forward to, advance planning will take any guessing out of the evening and stave off any lastminute disappointments, says Hipson.

Then, get fancy, yet cosy. “Let's face it, we're not likely to dress up in our finest out-on-the-town clothes and sit on the couch, but a fancy matching pyjama set will certainly elevate the evening and your mood,” says Hipson.

If you want to try cooking instead of take-out, Hipson says it's a great chance to try something new. Start by researching and preparing a few fancy cocktails to enjoy.

“I always find the more effort put into the preparation of a recipe, the greater the experience while enjoying,” says Hipson.

Keep the Christmas decorations up for New Year's Eve. Nothing brightens the spirit more than the soft light of the Christmas tree or a balsam scented candle burning on the coffee table, she says.

And, finally, Hipson says to stick with traditions. If you typically enjoy potluck dishes such as dips, charcuterie boards, and petite-sweets when in the company of good friends, make an effort to have these on hand even it's just a celebration for two, she says.

If looking for a unique charcuterie board idea for New Year's Eve, Moncton blogger Jenna Morton suggests a hot chocolate spread. Put all the ingredients (marshmallows, chocolates and sprinkles) on a board and let the family indulge, she says.

As an added idea, Morton suggests boxing up the main ingredients, including a display board or tray, and gifting an identical set to friends or family so you can have a socially-distanced virtual party where you all make your own hot chocolate charcuteriestyle boards at home and gather online to toast each other.

FUN FOR KIDS

If celebrating at home with kids, Gillian Webster from That Fun Place indoor cafe in Charlottetown has some tips. She's been celebrating New Year's Eve at home with her family since they moved to Canada over 10 years ago.

"We used to have a big party back home in Scotland with our family and friends, so it was quite an adjustment for us at first," she says, noting they have now discovered how to have lots of fun.

"We have filled balloons with silly activity suggestions like 'Have a dance party' or 'Play charades' and popped one every hour until 'midnight.'"

Midnight, she notes, used to be around 8 or 9 p.m. when her children were young.

"We have hosted a family Olympic games and had egg and spoon races and wheelbarrow races and threelegged races around the living room," says Webster.

They even had a small trophy for the overall winner. It was quite competitive, she says.

But they also keep one tradition alive every year.

"We call my parents back in Scotland just before 8 p.m. (local time) because they are four hours ahead of us. This way, the family can ring in the New Year together via Skype. Skype is a Godsend at Christmas and New Year," she adds.

Whether your New Year's Eve will be formal and fancy, or cosy and silly, Hipson says to remember that resolutions don't start until Jan. 1, so go ahead and indulge.

"You deserve it after all 2020 has thrown our way," she adds.

New Year's Eve will look very different for many people this year due to COVID-19. Instead of heading out for a party, many people are planning to celebrate at home with their families or their bubble.

Plan a Zoom call with family or friends as part of a virtual New Year's Eve celebration.