New Years Social Distancing | Graphic by Kayli Thompson | The Wright State Guardian
New Year’s Eve 2020 is guaranteed to be a holiday to remember. Many people who wish to celebrate the arrival of 2021 at annual get-togethers or their local bars have been forced to reconsider their plans this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
To stay safe and head into 2021 on a high note, there are a myriad of activities that one can take part in that do not involve a large crowd.
Get fancy at home
Have a nice suit, dress or fancy outfit that will not be worn to a party or gathering due to the pandemic? There is no need to keep that outfit in the closet. Instead, dress up, mix a cocktail and bid farewell to 2020 in style.
Host a home cooking competition
Round up the household for a contest to create the best New Year’s Eve snacks. Each person tries their hand at making an appetizer or dessert (or both). Once the cooking is complete and the dust settles, crown a winner. The great part about hosting a cooking contest is that everyone who participates is a winner due to the amount and variety of dishes.
Have a movie marathon
Start a new tradition of watching a classic film or catch up on the recent movie scene. If there is a desire to watch the original “Star Wars” trilogy, a superhero film that was not caught in theaters or an independent movie that was critically-acclaimed, New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to lay on the couch and act on that notion.
Run a game night
This can be done through an online platform such as Zoom or Discord or with family members who are there in person. Grab a board or card game or head online for the digital version and play a few rounds for one last hurrah before the clock strikes midnight.
If enough people are present, there are opportunities for charades, Pictionary or an improvisational comedy game like Foreign Film Dub or Two Line Vocabulary. The possibilities are endless.
Toast to the new year
Since 2020 has been such a dumpster fire, it is appropriate to give the year a proper sendoff. Ring up friends on Zoom and discuss the group’s accomplishments along with how the gang has persevered through it all. Pop a few confetti streams throughout the house and share a glass of champagne or sparkling cider as the ball drops.
2021 will be an interesting year for everyone throughout the world due to the crises that will carry over from 2020. However, it is best to look on the bright side and make changes throughout our daily habits and our communities so that those crises can become more manageable.
Hopefully, in Dec. 2021, we can return to large in-person gatherings as crowds usher in the next new year.
