NYE | Six Feet of Separation

How to celebrate New Years Eve virtually?

Earnest J. Morgan
4 min readDec 29, 2020

72% of America says they’ll be celebrating the holidays virtually this year.

Good riddance.

It’s nearly time to kick 2020 to the curb and welcome in a brand New Year. Now that calls for a celebration!

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, voices all over the world will resurrect the centuries-old tradition of singing “Auld Lang Syne” to say goodbye to the passing year.

If your New Year’s Eve normally involves large crowds cheering and embracing each other at midnight, it’s probably safe to say that you’ll have a different experience this year.

Many of us are tired of being stuck in homes and eager to get back to normal. But as we’ve all seen, normal isn’t normal anymore.

With social distancing comes canceled New Year’s Eve plans. But just because you’re not visiting family or friends in-person, doesn’t mean you can’t carry on your celebrations and traditions. In fact, according to a recent Asurion survey, 72% of America says they’ll be celebrating the holidays virtually this year.

Whether you’re planning to celebrate with a few friends, family, your special someone, or solo, I’ve curated a few of my favorite ideas to ring in 2021 from the comfort and safety of your home.

Dress Up.

Missing the chance to get all dressed up for a night on the town? Plan for a romantic date night at home and let your partner know that the dress code is formal. Break out that black party dress or tuxedo, grab a luxury face mask from Gia Rodriguez and dress to impress the person you plan to kiss at midnight!

Create a Playlist to Set the Mood.

If it’s a date night in, make a romantic mix of your favorite songs from over the years. For a family affair, keep it upbeat with current hits and old school tunes that everyone knows and loves. Having a few friends over? Pick a popular New Year’s Eve Spotify list that will keep everyone in the party mood. Whichever mix you choose, be sure to play “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight to get everyone feeling sentimental and excited for the New Year!

Have a Selfie Station.

No matter the size of your New Year’s Eve party, you’ll want to preserve the night with fun photos of your favorite people. Get out the streamers, grab some 2021 photo props, and create an Instagram-worthy selfie station or photo booth to capture the fun. Pop onto Pinterest for loads of glitzy, glamourous, good-time photo ideas.

Support Your Favorite Local Restaurant.

Or, leave the prepping to the chefs and enjoy your favorite take-out! With Covid restrictions causing major challenges for local restaurants, now is the time to show your support so that they can be here to thrive in 2021. Take the night off from cooking and order a New Year’s Eve-worthy to-go feast from your favorite local eatery...like Nashville’s Urban Grub.

Create a Signature Drink.

Nothing says New Year’s Eve like a glass of bubbly. Whether you raise a glass of Champagne, Prosecco, non-alcoholic sparkling wine, or ginger ale at midnight, it’s fun to have a signature drink on hand at your New Year’s Eve celebration. Find a fun list of New Year’s Eve cocktails at Elle Decor. Cheers!

Have a Movie Marathon.

Celebrating at home with the family? One of the best ways to make sure everyone’s still awake at midnight is to plan a movie marathon. Find a favorite series that’s fun for all ages — and keep the popcorn and movie snacks going all night long.

Host a Virtual Midnight Toast

If you’re staying healthy by flying solo this New Year’s Eve, there’s no need to ring in the New Year alone! Invite your far-flung friends and family to join you for a BYOB Midnight Toast with a video call app. If you guests are having home technology issues, Asurion’s 24/7 smart home tech support can immediately get them ‘toast-ready’. Encourage your guests to get dressed up like you’re going out on the town, put on some party music, pour your drinks, and enjoy some great company as you welcome in the New Year.

Watch the Ball Drop.

New Year’s Eve will undoubtedly be different this year — but you’ll still be able to watch the ball drop (virtually) in Time’s Square at midnight! You can tune in to the official broadcast for free on social media, online webcast, and cable TV. Start counting…“5, 4, 3, 2, 1,” knowing that your neighbors, friends, and community are all doing the same in their homes!

No matter how you plan to spend the last night of 2020, make smart choices to stay safe and healthy.

From my smart home to your smart home, Happy New Year!

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