Fun things to do while staying in for NYE this year

As the year draws to a close, it’s time to start planning your New Year’s Eve celebrations. While many rush to crowded bars, with long queues and overpriced drinks to ring in the new year, there’s something extra special about celebrating from the comfort of your own home. With more people choosing to stay in to celebrate NYE than ever before, we’ve put together a list of fun things to do to make the night one to remember. Is it OK to stay in on New Year’s Eve? It often feels like there’s a big pressure to go out on New Year’s Eve, but having just gotten over the busyness of celebrating Christmas, it’s perfectly okay to want a cosy night in. In fact, more and more people are choosing to celebrate the special night in their own homes than ever before. With good food, nice drinks and fun games – there’s really no need to venture out into the cold. Why staying in over NYE is better than going out Staying in on New Year’s Eve gives you complete freedom over your night – without having to worry about getting to a bar early enough to find a seat, or pushing your way to the perfect fireworks spot. Instead, everything is in your hands – you can do what you like, when you like – and doesn’t that sound good? Take this time to relax from your busy life, and see in the new year refreshed and revitalised. Staying in is also a good way to save money after Christmas, when everyone is already low on cash. Eating or drinking out can be even more expensive than usual on NYE, so putting on a nice spread at home will really help stretch your money till January’s payday. A cosy night in with your nearest and dearest means you can skip all the hustle and bustle of New Year’s Eve. Waking up without a roaring headache will also help you kick your new year off right. Things to do So, now that we’ve sold you on all the reasons staying in is so much more fun than going out this New Year’s Eve, here’s a list of all the things you can do to keep busy all night long… (they definitely beat standing in a crowded bar for 5 hours). Learn some new cocktails Take the time to polish up your cocktail-making skills. Practise an old favourite, or pick up a new recipe or two. Whether you’re into mojitos, dirty martinis or a cheeky daiquiri, becoming your own bartender can be a great way to have fun and impress your guests this New Year’s Eve. Skipping the bars for your own home bar, also means you’ll save money, and avoid the long queues. And we’ll drink to that!   Make a smorgasbord of snacks In case your cocktails make you peckish, why not create your own smorgasbord of snacks. Think cheese boards, charcuterie, a sweet station – anything goes! While smorgasbords always look impressive (and go down a treat) they require minimal effort to whip up so you don’t have to spend all your time in the kitchen. For some delicious, yet easy-to-make canapes, why not try our British Canapé Selection – with a selection of nibbles all your guests will enjoy. Alternatively, try cooking up some tasty tapas or spicy Indian street food to snack on. Staying in this New Year doesn’t mean you have to go hungry – and you may as well sneak in some last-minute treats before your resolutions kick in! British Canapé Selection Get dressed up anyway Just because you’re staying in doesn’t mean you can’t make an effort. New Year’s Eve is the perfect night to get all jazzed up, so swap the pjs for some sequins out and go all out. Half the fun of going out is getting ready, so make your night extra special with some memorable outfits. Dressing the part will help make the night feel extra special, and means you’ll be camera-ready all night long. Reflect on the year gone by… Staying in on New Year’s Eve allows you to take the time to look back on the year you’ve had, and reflect on both the good and the bad. When we are busy, we often forget to take the time to think about where we are, and how far we have come – so practise some mindfulness as you transport your mind back. While many focus on what they want to do differently next year, writing a list of all the things we are proud of, or grateful for in the year gone by can help us realise just how much we have achieved in the last twelve months. …and set goals for 2024 And of course, set your New Year’s resolutions. Remember to make these achievable, there’s not much point in setting resolutions that won’t last any longer than the first week of January. Whether you want to try out a new hobby (like cooking), work towards a promotion, or book that big holiday you’ve been dreaming of, writing these resolutions down, or saying them aloud to your family and friends will mean you are more likely to try to stick to them. To make your resolutions seem more achievable, break these goals into actionable steps, set yourself mini deadlines for each. Get in touch with family and friends, especially those from afar Why not take this time to get back in touch with people you haven’t heard from in a long time. We can all be guilty of losing track of time, with so much to do at work and then at home, it’s all too easy to forget to make time for the ones that we love. Whoever you’ve been missing lately, wish them a happy new year, and if possible, plan a time to meet up with them when you are both free. Make one of your favourite dishes New Year’s Eve is as good a time as any to cook up one of your favourite dishes, or even to tackle an adventurous dish. Why not try your hand at a delicious beef wellington, or a traditional Malaysian rendang – with recipes from pro chefs around the world, we’re sure to have a meal kit your guests will love. At Cookaway, we use only the most premium of ingredients, meaning you can enjoy a gourmet, restaurant-style meal in the comfort of your own home. From Indian to Greek, browse our full range of menus for a real culinary treat this New Year’s Eve. Malaysian Chicken Rendang Decorate your house While having your Christmas decorations up makes your home look and feel extra special over the festive period, by the time it gets to New Year you’re likely ready for a change. So put your decorations away for another year, and instead make your home sparkle in another way. For NYE, it’s out with the red and green, and in with the gold. Creating a New Year’s Eve photo booth, with banners, balloons and lots of fun props, can be a great way to get your guests in the party spirit. Create an at-home spa For something a little different, why not pamper yourself and your loved ones this New Year’s Eve with your very own at-home spa experience. Whether it’s with face masks, aromatherapy, or even a massage station, there are plenty of ways to indulge in some well-needed self-care to end the year on a high. Taking this time to pamper yourself, will make sure you’re ready to put your best foot forward on New Year’s Day. Plan a future holiday Why not channel your excitement for the year ahead into some good, old-fashioned holiday planning. Whether you have the perfect place in mind already, or need to start with some travel inspo, planning somewhere to go in 2024 will give you something to look forward to in the year ahead. Also, being organised with your travel plans will mean you can book your holidays well in advance – securing the best flights and hotel rates. A win-win. Try some new world cuisines If you don’t quite have the savings for your big dream holiday quite yet, a Cookaway kit can bring a world of flavours into your very own kitchen. With Greek, Malaysian, and Japanese cuisines (just to name a few), transport your taste buds with a delicious Cookaway meal kit. From Pakistani street food to a vegan paella or a rustic lamb kleftiko – browse our range of menus for options that cater to every taste. Pakistani Street Food Experience Happy New Year! So there you have it, all our tips and tricks for having fun whilst staying in this New Year’s Eve.For more inspiration for your NYE dinner at home, or some fancy finger food, browse through our delicious recipe boxes. With recipes curated by top chefs, using premium ingredients delivered to your door – Cookaway has everything you need to host the perfect NYE in. Now all that’s left to do is wish you a Happy New Year, from our family here at Cookaway, to yours!