Ideas for making NYE at home special (with no booze and heavily pregnant!)

[klajdndhus]

I know, I know it's only September but I'm just thinking about NYE this year. For the first year ever my husband has NYE off. We can't actually go out as we have a toddler - any ideas to make it special? I'm also due baby no.2 in January so no champagne for me.
The only thing I can think of is nice food 😂

We NEVER go out. Last year I had some table decorations, we make or order delicious food, bubbly, have sparklers, watch some good tv, then go outside and watch everyone elses fireworks.

I should add...I also haven't been out for NYE in quite a few years even before kids! I never usually stay up either and doubt I will this year either 😂
@StrictlyAFemaleFemale fireworks sound a nice idea.

I would do some nice food, we did a COOK Thai feast one year, cocktails/mocktails and some films. Or do a theme with the film and food so Mamma Mia could be Greek food, Grease would be American diner etc.

Make you own ice cream sundae station, hot chocolate bar?

We never go out for NYE as I can't stand crowds. We usually make a big platter of party food to nibble on, play a board game, watch Jools Holland and dance around, always switch over to BBC to watch the London fireworks and DH and I toast one another.....even if it's just with cups of tea . Then the usual sending of messages to family and friends and in bed by 12.30am falling asleep to the sound of the neighbours fireworks.

Takeaway, film in bed and early night

Nephew’s birthday is New Year’s Eve so always spend with family. Last year was the first one in 20 years it was us. We set up cocktail/mocktail station & I went to M&S & got so much party food which we grazed on through the evening. We then played board games & had a great evening.

We have a nice meal - make an effort to decorate the table and dress up. Play party games with the kids, sparklers once it gets dark.

Then play board games - an escape room in a box or similar cooperative game is particularly good for NY.

We always make a scrapbook of the year in the daytime, then DH gets the box of them all down in the afternoon so we can add it and we end up looking through all the previous scrapbooks! Everyone dresses up. Nice food, mocktails, music on, wrap up and sit around the fire pit outside toasting marshmallows, everyone makes a New Years resolution, fake count down for the kids with sparklers. Kids to bed then we put pyjamas on, champagne, nibbles, Jools Holland, chess, out in the garden watching fireworks intermittently. It’s a lovely night, we always do the countdown and then try and sneak in to the kids for a kiss as they sleep.

Nice food, good book and early night. I like to start the New Year with refreshed after a decent night sleep.

We usually do a cheese and charcuterie board with a baked cheese and lovely fresh bread.
Another option (if you like to cook) would be to order one of the special restaurant boxes that places started to do during lockdown - the Hawksmoor one looks great for example if you like steak

Nice toddler movie and fake midnight at 9pm on Netflix, followed by a more grown up movie and lovely food til midnight.

Passion fruit syrup in sparkling water is my go to celebration drink when champagne isn’t an option.