Can you believe it is almost time to ring in 2020?! I have always loved New Year’s Eve — there is such a sense of excitement and a glimmer of hope for the year ahead. I think this is because I’m an eternal optimist and I’m more anxious for the future than being stuck in the past. I also love the fact that this is one holiday that the entire world celebrates. How cool is it that every country on the planet rings in the new year within hours of one another?! Needless to say, counting down the seconds until the clock strikes midnight is one of the most anticipated and time-stopping moments of the year.

It has been several years since Jody and I have had a low-key New Years’ Eve. In fact, this will be the first year since we have been together that we are totally staying in. In the past, we’ve spent New Year’s traveling or with friends at their houses. Since this will be our first New Year’s in our home, we knew this was the year to have a stay-in celebration.

Spending New Year’s Eve at home might seem boring compared to those who are celebrating in Times Square or at other events in your area, but there are many ways to make your at-home celebration just as exciting. In case you don’t have plans for your New Year’s Eve, I’m sharing a couple of fun ideas to help ring in the new year.

Game Night

A night at home is the perfect excuse to pull out all of your favorite board games and puzzles. Play a few classics like Monopoly or Battleship or some of my favorites like Double Ditto or Name Five. Just two of you? We just bought Exploding Kittens which is hilarious and perfect for two people!

Watch a Movie

Are there movies that you’ve been dying to see but haven’t found the time? Or is there a classic you haven’t seen in a while? New Year’s Eve is the perfect opportunity to binge-watch or catch up on your favorite series or films. Pop a bag of popcorn and curl up on the couch — just don’t fall asleep before midnight!

Eat + Drink

Party like it’s 2019! Take this opportunity to have one last night of holiday eating before your New Year diet begins. Cook a fancy meal together, or do like Jody and I love to do — appetizers! We plan to make a few different finger foods, plus my beloved charcuterie board to snack on throughout the evening. Pair it with trying a new cocktail or just pop a bottle of Champagne!

Year-End Review

One of my favorite activities to do on NYE is to look back at all that happened during the year. Life is often so full that there are memories that tend to slide under the radar, so it is fun to scroll back through pictures and stories that encompass the year. Take a moment to reflect on the past year  — the joys, sorrows, things that went well and things that didn’t. Consider what your favorite moments were and how you can carry them and new adventures into the new year. Jody and I actually did this over a date night dinner earlier this week and I love how we now have a foundation for our 2020 goals.

Dress the Part

After all, it is a holiday so dress the part! This can mean pulling out all of your sparkly and sequins and dressing to the nines, or your best pajamas (flannel or silk sets encouraged!) — whatever makes you feel best! Personally, I think I will use the opportunity to wear my Christmas pajamas just once more before packing them away until next year!

Televised Countdown

Is it even New Year’s if you don’t see the ball drop? I love watching ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, but most major cable networks also air there own coverage of it. You can even watch it on timessquareball.net!

Decorate 

Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you can’t decorate like you’re having a party! Hang a festive banner like this or create a balloon wall donning a New Year’s phrase or “2020”. One of my favorite ways to easily switch up the decor is by rearranging the bar cart. Swap out your holiday wine for a bottle of bubbly and trade in the Christmas glasses for champagne flutes. Another easy and inexpensive option would be to add confetti streamers to your dining tablescape!

Sparklers + Confetti Poppers

Grab a handful of sparklers and head outside to create your own light show! You could do this early in the evening or wait until midnight to light them! If you are not afraid of the mess, most stores are still carrying confetti poppers. Either of these options will help you have a popping new year!

What are your favorite ways to ring in the New Year? Regardless of how you spend it, I hope your new year is filled with love, bliss, and many celebrations!