After a global pandemic, protests, and a presidential election, many people are looking forward to saying farewell to 2020. The stress and turmoil the year caused are making it easy for people to look forward to ringing in the near year and forgetting the past. If you want to find the best ways to celebrate the holiday, there are 7 ways to ring in the new year and say goodbye to 2020.
1. Play Board Games
Make it a fun night by bringing out board games to play with your family members and friends. You can get competitive and have a point value system to determine who plays the best throughout the night. Consider having a few awards ready to hand out for the best players to make it more exciting.
Some of the best games to bring out include Monopoly, Catan, Gloomhaven, and Scrabble. The mental stimulation the games offer can be a distraction from 2020 and allow you to bond with loved ones over a fun activity.
2. Plan a Vacation
One of the best ways to let go of 2020 and look towards the future is to make plans that you can look forward to with your family. Consider spending New Year’s Eve planning an upcoming vacation or trip you can take in the new year to ensure you have something positive to look forward to in 2021. You can spend the night deciding what type of trip to take, the timeframe, and the activities that you’ll enjoy at the destination.
3. Host a Luau
Make your home feel like an escape and transform it into a tropical destination by hosting a luau. You can prepare tropical drinks and even cook native island food for a fun and unique way of celebrating the new year with your loved ones. Ask everyone to dress up with the luau theme to make it more fun and memorable, which includes grass skirts and coconuts.
You can also play tropical music and have fun activities like hula hooping, pass the coconut, limbo, and Hawaiian Pictionary.
4. Map Out Your Year
The chaos and craziness that came with 2020 can cause more people to want to have a sense of control over the next year. You can stay focused on the positive by mapping out your year and creating new goals and plans. Get a calendar out and plan different activities, events, and even gatherings that you can enjoy looking forward to in hopes of making it a better year.
You can also plan fun trips to the zoo with your kids, date nights with your spouse, and ways that you plan to celebrate anniversaries or birthdays. Knowing your plans in the next 12 months can reduce some stress and allow you to know what to expect to some degree.
5. Spend Time in Your PJs
If you’re in the mood for something relaxed and low-key that you don’t have to spend too much time planning, opt for a pajama party on New Year’s Eve. Make pajamas mandatory for the dress code and order a few pizzas. Purchase sparkling cider to celebrate and have a fire for a warm and cozy effect.
For dessert, opt for warm cookies and milk to ensure you can enjoy some comfort food and eat your feelings after a long year.
6. Create a Spa
Create an at-home spa where you can soak in a warm bubble bath, complete with colorful bath bombs. Consider treating yourself to a face mask, massage, and even a foot scrub to ensure you feel pampered. Adding a few candles and some tranquil music will add to the soothing effect.
7. Give Back
One of the best ways to make a change and end the year on a good note is to host someone in need. If you know a family struggling financially or who has recently lost a loved one, you can have them over for dinner to help them feel less alone. Consider giving them a gift as they spend time at your home to ensure they don’t leave empty-handed and can enter the new year with a bit of hope.
