New Year's Eve 2020: How Ring in 2021 at Home This Year

Getty

It has been quite the year, to say the least. While it might be tempting to ring in the New Year with your friends and family, the CDC's latest guidelines encourage people to celebrate at home with only those in their immediate households, and to hold virtual gatherings instead.

That doesn't mean that your New Year's Eve is cancelled or even that it has to be boring. Here are a few ideas for keeping your celebrations safe and fun this year.

Get Dressed Up (or Down)

Getty

Just because you're staying home this year doesn't mean that you shouldn't get dressed to impress! Put on your most sparkly dress, get that old tux or suit out of the closet, and commit to ringing in the new year looking as fabulous as you hope 2021 will be.

On the flip side, a pajama party, complete with matching pajama sets and slippers, is also a great idea! Either way, you've got to commit to the theme. And don't forget to set a dress code for your Zoom attendees, too.

Host a Virtual Party

Invite your friends and family to join you virtually to toast to the new year. You can even schedule it to begin close to midnight so that you all can count down together without having to spend hours on a call.

Plus, Zoom just lifted its 40-minute limit for New Year's Eve so that everyone can celebrate together!

Prepare Some Virtual Games

Don't just sit there awkwardly in your party clothes — have a few prompts and games prepared. We suggest opening up the conversation by asking everyone to go around and say one thing that they are looking forward to in 2021.

Crowd favorites like Never Have I Ever or Two Truths and a Lie can be transformed into New Year's Eve games in a pinch. Just make them 'Never Have I Ever ... in 2020' and 'Two Resolutions and a Lie.'

You can also collect everyone's resolutions beforehand and have the rest of your guests guess whose resolution belongs to whom.

Host a Virtual Mixology Class

Getty

Rather than paying for an overpriced cocktail at a bar or club, do a make-your-own cocktail or mocktail class with your pals. You can either host the party yourself and teach everyone how to make your favorite signature drink, or hire a bartender to coach you. Just make sure that you send out the ingredient list ahead of time so that your attendees have everything they need.

Don't Skimp on the Champagne or Fancy Finger Foods

Getty

Make your menu taste as good as you look! Take the time to make a fancy dinner for either yourself (if you're celebrating alone) or your immediate household. You can also order in from your favorite restaurant — just make sure that you tip your delivery person for bringing you the goods on New Year's Eve. And, of course, drink responsibly!

Binge-Watch into the New Year

Getty

Once all of your Zoom parties are over, you can settle in on the couch and celebrate all of the awesome TV shows and movies 2020 had to offer.

Whether you're catching up on your list of Christmas movies or watching your favorite new series, spend the last day of 2020 clearing your 'To Be Watched' list so you can start fresh in 2021.

Create a 2021 Vision Board

Even if your vision includes "Start changing into new pajamas in the morning before starting work," or "Try to remember to mute your mic on Zoom calls," this is a great way to look forward to 2021.

Just Do Your Best

Getty

If the video chat freezes, if the countdown is off, if no one dresses up; bring the 2020 motto of "Just do your best" into 2021 and remember that these hiccups are a sign that you stayed home and saved lives this New Year by slowing the spread of COVID-19.