New Year's Eve Ideas
It’s that time of year again! The New Year is just around the corner, and of course it can be one of the best celebrations of the year. If you’ve not made any New Year’s Eve plans just yet, here are some ideas!
Games night
A rather rogue one, but this year I’ve opted for a more chilled option with a game night. We’re having a good number of people round to enjoy some fun games like charades, Pictionary and maybe a bit of Cluedo. We might (will) throw in some drinks and some nice food too to give us the energy to wait up for the bells. This is a great option if you’re on a bit of a budget and you don’t want to go all-out. It’s also very accommodating for those who aren’t too fussed about drinking and it means you’ll get to spend quality time with your friends. I’m really excited to have more of a cheap, chilled one with my close family and friends this year.
Meal with your besties
If you’re just wanting to spend quality time with those dearest to you, cooking or going out for a nice meal together is a nice and chilled option. As the night wears on you can bring out some drinks, games, wine/cheese, and some deserts to keep you occupied until the bells. Centring the night around nice food is never a miss and takes the pressure off the non-drinkers.
House party
Pretty self-explanatory. House parties can be such great fun and are a cheap and social option. I love a bit of punch, a terrible Spotify playlist and an impromptu game of Twister at a house party. If you’re hosting, you can have all your friends in one house getting to know each other, and if you’re not hosting, you can make so many new friends.
Movie marathon
If you’re hoping for a quieter one this year, a movie marathon is always a safe bet. Agree on a good film series or all bring a film, grab some snacks, maybe a cheeky takeaway and chill for the evening. Again, this is a lovely option for those on a budget this year and it doesn’t have to be any less fun! You could even create some drinking games to go along with the film such as ‘every time X character says Y’ or ‘every time Z’s character’s name is mentioned’, someone or everyone must drink. Just make sure someone is keeping an eye on the time, so you don’t miss the bells!
Classic pub
If you’re willing to tackle the crowds, the pub is always a fun option, albeit sometimes a tad messy. Expect some crowds, potentially having to order multiple drinks at once and some very drunk people. But the cosy pub vibes, pool tables and pints during the winter season are truly unmatched. If you have a good number of pubs near you, you could even turn it into a bit of a pub crawl! The staff are usually a bit jollier on New Year’s Eve because managers tend to allow a bit more staff drinking, so expect to find yourself chatting away to everyone and anyone all night. I might even find myself running down to my local for half an hour just to catch the atmosphere.
Club night
If you’re fancying a big one and a bit of a dance, going clubbing might be the way to go. The atmosphere in a club during the bells is just unmatched and you might even find yourself a cheeky New Year’s kiss who you can instantly run away from ;). Clubs tend to do good drinks deals on New Year’s and they often decorate to make it feel extra special. Just make sure you have a Google first because lots of club nights on NYE are ticketed and sell out early.
ALSO, remember to be patient and kind to hospitality staff, always, but especially on New Year’s Eve. They’re missing out on a seeing their friends/family to make sure you have a good one. They’ll be extremely busy so just give them the benefit of the doubt if they take a little longer than you’d like to serve you.
Wishing everyone a very safe and fun New Year’s Eve, whatever you decide to do! May 2023 be a great one!
