20 Ways to Have Fun at Home on New Year’s Eve

Indoor Camping

Get a small tent, put on a fire, roll out the sleeping bags and settle in for some “outdoor” fun. If you’re brave, venture outside and ring in the new year under the stars. Don’t forget the s’mores!

Board Game Competition

Gather your favorite board games for a night of friendly (or not so friendly!) competition. Set a point value for winning each game (ex: winner of each game gets 5 points or have some games worth more points than others). The winner gets bragging rights for the whole year or until the next competition!

Have a Luau

It may be cold, but think warm thoughts and have a luau for the whole family. Cook island favorites, make tropical drinks and don’t forget the grass skirt and the coconuts!

Giving Calendar

Create a calendar of ways you want to give to others in the new year. Plan something unique each month or find a ministry to support or serve on a regular basis.

Family PJ Party

Are you having friends over to help you celebrate the new year? Consider having a pajama party, where everyone wears their pjs and slippers. Serve food such as milk and cookies, pizza and have a movie marathon. It’s cozy and fun!

Flashback of the year

Look through photos of this year and reminisce of the good times and even those bittersweet moments. Create a collage summing up this year in pictures and save it as a memento.

LetterExchange

Write a letter to your spouse or loved ones, sharing how they blessed your life this year and why you appreciate him/her. Consider exchanging them when the clock strikes midnight!

Host Friends in Need

Who do you know who is struggling to pay the bills or is in need? Who do you know who is lonely and could use a friend? The holidays can be a lonely time and hardships seem to be amplified, so you may want to reach out to those in need as the new year begins.

Play a “Game of the Hour”

At the top of each hour, open an envelope with a game inside. It could be as simple as tic-tac-toe or Go Fish, but open an envelope every hour leading up to midnight.

Create a time capsule

Take a stroll down memory lane of the happenings of this year by creating a time capsule of world events, family happenings, and popular trends. Open next New Year’s Eve to see how things have changed.

Scavenger Hunt

Create a treasure hunt, complete with clues and a treasure around your house or yard. You could even include acts that the “huntee” has to perform when they get to each destination.

Family Olympics

Re-create the Olympics in your own home! Tweak some traditional games to adapt them to play at home and hand out “medals” for the winners.  Invite another family over to play along!

Oh My How You’ve Grown

Make a new tradition and measure your kids on a growth chart, make a model of their hand print, take a video of their best quotes and other ways you can capture them as they are at the end of this year. How fun will it be next year to compare their growth and milestones?

Plan a Vacation for the the Next Year or in the Future

Do you have a trip you’ve always wanted to take? 2019 is the time! Research a trip and make plans to get away in the upcoming year.

Elegant/Romantic Dinner at Home

Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you have to forgo an exquisite evening! Order in or pick-up from a nice restaurant, wear a dress, place candles everywhere, and dance to music. Reconnect with your loved one after a busy holiday season and just enjoy each other!

Plan your Year

Get out the calendar and plan your year. Don’t forget major events, birthdays, important anniversaries, and some date nights. As you plan, set your goals and how you plan to achieve them.

Dare to Dream Planning

Dream big and plan big this New Year’s Eve!  Dream a huge dream and write it down. Where do you want to be in 5, 10, 15 years? Create a road map of how you’ll get there or just write it down and put it in a visible place! Do something everyday to make your dreams happen.

How do you celebrate New Year’s Eve in your house?

What’s your family tradition for ringing in the new year?