Are you spending the holiday by yourself? There are numerous ways to experience 2023 from the comfort of your own home, including hosting a virtual games night with distant loved ones and making your own cocktails.
No matter where you are, New Year's Eve can still be a night filled with fellowship, fun, food, and reflection, despite the fact that many of us are unsure of how it will go.
1. If you're a quick reader but haven't had time to read recently, set a goal to read a book.
Think about what you could accomplish with just a day or an evening to yourself. If you're looking for a quick read, War and Peace is probably not your cup of tea. Instead, try something much smaller. Even so, the evening is still a good time to start a book and carry it into the new year for slower readers. Consider it an opportunity to get ahead on your New Year's resolution.
2. Participate in a virtual event
You can choose from live performances from Notre Dame in Paris, virtual firework displays in London, or a comedy event that will instantly brighten your evening. Using Microsoft Teams or Zoom, you could even gather your loved ones to watch a virtual event together (you'll need to share a screen for this).
3. Play a virtual game
A family quiz or bingo-style virtual party game is a great way to keep the mood up and connect with loved ones.
Get the whole family together to celebrate New Year's Eve by downloading a video conferencing app like Skype, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom. Have no idea which ones to play? Why not give charades, a fun quiz, or virtual bingo a shot?
4. Create a virtual cocktail party
If you like to party, celebrate 2022 with a virtual cocktail party. Simply ensure that everyone has all of the necessary supplies, select a recipe that is simple to follow (we love this Christmas cocktail made with mulled wine), create your Zoom background, and let the fun begin. Cheers!
According to Ginger Ray expert party planner Jess Martin, "If you're feeling daring and want to lead the cocktail making session on the call, you could even try a few nifty tricks and test out your mixologist skills." Add a showstopper decoration like a sparkler to your drinks to give them that extra something."
5. Accomplish something that flashes euphoria
From enjoying a film long distance race to absorbing nature, why not accomplish something that gives you pleasure without being overloaded by culpability. Top tip: during the New Year's period, detox from digital media. It will provide you with a break from the frequently anxious news while also giving you the mental space to concentrate on what makes you happy.
6. Volunteer
If you're able, give food banks, nursing homes, or animal shelters a shot as a local volunteer project.
Unfortunately, many people have been without this year, so helping those in need is a wonderful way to spread joy. Always call ahead of time because the coronavirus may have stopped some volunteer opportunities.
7. Relax!
Who says you can't relax on New Year's Eve? Make time for yourself, whether that means taking a warm, bubbly bath, watching your favorite movie, or going for a winter walk in boots. Put away your phone and enjoy a guilt-free evening of relaxation.
8. Book a hotel room
Just because you are alone at home does not mean that it cannot be a "home away from home." From grand and historic to contemporary and chic, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for a weekend away in the country. Make Ellenborough Park Hotel your go-to choice if you have your heart set on the Cotswolds. It also has rooms that are dog-friendly. We suggest staying at the charming Montagu Arms in the New Forest.
9. Make tonight your night to plan your next vacation
If, like many of us, you have been too busy to really get into the details of that dream trip you've been talking about since lockdowns ended. You will have ample time to conduct proper, uninterrupted online research, compare deals, check flight prices and schedules, and, best of all, look for fantastic hotels. Due to the post-Christmas blues, January is the most popular month to book a vacation, so start planning ahead of everyone else.
10. Watching a series in one sitting
New Year's Eve is a great time to watch popular shows in one sitting. A Very British Scandal, which was based on the Duke of Argyll's accusation against his wife and aired on Netflix around the same time last year, is one notable series you might have missed. Or, if you're more interested in crime, you might enjoy The Responder, a police procedural set in Liverpool.
We also enjoyed the difficult-to-watch Anatomy of a Scandal and Inventing Anna, about an entrepreneur who conned her into living a lavish lifestyle. House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings Prequel, Rings of Power, will undoubtedly rank high on the wish lists of fantasy fans.
11. Print some pictures
We live in a world that is becoming increasingly digital, and despite the fact that we take more pictures than ever before, we print them out and frame fewer of them. Numerous apps and websites allow you to print and send photos straight from your phone.
You could create a phonebook of photos from 2022, a special holiday from that year, or a birthday present for someone in 2023. If you only have a few pictures in mind that you want specific frames for, some brands, like Addison Ross, which sell high-end frames at a reasonable price, will give you a free photo of your choice when you buy a frame. All you have to do is upload the photo to the website, which is simple.