How to elevate our in-home celebrations

No matter where you are in the world, chances are that your government has asked you to stay home and stay safe. But, just because we can’t fall in love with the dancefloor doesn’t mean that we can’t ring in our

New Year’s Eve 2022 at home in style. Partying at home has many advantages; comfortable seating, affordable cocktails, reservation-free dining and no cover charge. Although it may feel as if we don’t have that much to celebrate, at the very least, we deserve to celebrate our resilience. We made it, and as such, festivities are in order.

To bring a little hope, optimism and cheer into our last night of the year, we put together a fun-filled at-home  NYE 2022 guide.

Decorate for New Year’s Eve 2022 at Home

It’s an understatement that we’ve been spending a lot of time in our homes this year. The prospects of yet another night looking at the same four walls may sound boring, but it doesn’t have to be.

Something as simple as decorative balloons, a candle for atmosphere and some bunting can make the difference between a regular Thursday night and NYE. Whether you are flying solo or celebrating with your bubble, bring out the fancy glassware and set the table! Restaurants do not have a monopoly on beautiful tablescapes. Consider incorporating fresh eucalyptus branches into each table setting for that little bit extra.

Dress for the Occasion (whatever that means)

This year dressing for New Year’s Eve can mean anything from a three-piece tux and a decadent silk dress to the most comfortable baggy 100% cotton sweatsuit. There is an undisputed connection between looking good and feeling good, and we can use all the good “feels” we can get. We don’t have to wait for a major post-Covid gathering to wear our most coveted pieces; we can take a page out of Tika the Iggy’s book and throw it on anyway. After the year we’ve had, we deserve a little sparkle; we suggest that you put on your favourite outfit, do your hair the way you like it and feel your best.

Find a Playlist for New Year’s Eve 2022 at Home

Nothing sets the tone for an epic night like a well-curated playlist. No DJ? No problem, Spotify has you covered with an infinite amount of good music that will have you up and dancing well into 2021.

We’ll drop this here:

Eat Well, Drink Wisely

Pull out all the stops for an indulgent New Year’s Eve 2022 at home YE dinner; starters and dessert included. There are plenty of amazing cookbooks and youtube tutorials that will make treating yourself reasonably easy. If cooking is not your forté, not to worry, this is a perfect occasion to support your favourite local restaurant. With independent restaurants and service staff feeling the effects of the pandemic, getting take-out not only elevates your celebration but makes sure that small businesses stay open.

Make a signature cocktail that can be served all night long. You don’t have to have experience bartending to mix a professional tasting cocktail or mocktail. Here are three libations that are easy to make and easy to drink.

Manhattan cocktail

Manhattan

Just like its name, this cocktail is smooth and sophisticated. This drink is served in a rocks glass and garnished with a cherry.

2 oz rye whiskey

1 oz sweet vermouth

Two dashes Angostura Bitters

French 75

Fizzy and not too sweet, this cocktail will elevate any celebration. It is served in a champagne glass with a twist.

2 oz London Dry Gin

¾ oz fresh lemon juice

¾ oz simple syrup

2 oz Champagne

Long spiral lemon twist (for serving)

Virgin Cucumber Gimlet

You don’t need spirits to have fun; this refreshing and flavourful cocktail is famous amongst drinkers and non-drinkers alike. Serve over ice in a rocks glass.

1.5 oz club soda

4-5 slices of muddled cucumber

1 oz fresh lime juice

1 oz simple syrup

Show Gratitude

If you ask most people what they are most grateful for this year, they would say their friends and family. Now is the time to show the most important people in our lives that we care. The holidays can be challenging for many of us, and small, thoughtful gestures, like a phone call, can make all the difference. Furthermore, taking the time to show gratitude to ourselves can take us into 2022 feeling healthier and more satisfied.

Set Intentions 

As 2021 draws to a close, it is important to set our intentions for the coming year. As we learned this year, there is a lot that we can not control, but setting our intentions will allow us to stay motivated and focused. Do you intend on spending more time with your family, do you intend to create more? or take things less personally? Whatever you plan on doing, establishing our goals at the outset, is a great way to hold ourselves accountable and measure our progress.

“Setting an intention is like drawing a map of where you wish to go—it becomes the driving force behind your goals and visions. Without an intention, there is no map, and you’re just driving down a road with no destination in mind.”Chandresh Bhardwaj, spiritual teacher and meditation guide