It’s hard to imagine New Year’s Eve without the three “C’s”: champagne, confetti and crowds. But, just like the rest of 2020, this New Year’s Eve will be unusual. With COVID-19 protocols and social distancing guidelines still in place, ringing in the New Year will look different than in years past.

However, just like with Halloween this year, there are definitely ways to maintain the traditions and spirit of the holiday while keeping your friends, families, and communities healthy. Here, we’ve rounded up several ways to safely celebrate New Year’s Eve in an apartment.

Safe Ways To Celebrate New Year’s Eve

The safest way to celebrate New Year’s Eve this year and minimize the community spread of COVID-19 is to limit your guest list to members of your own household. That includes anyone who currently lives with you and shares common spaces in your apartment, such as family members or roommates.

Even with a small guest list, you can have a fun and festive New Year’s Eve party in an apartment. A few ideas:

  • Dress up. If fancy attire doesn’t suit you, come up with a theme and have everyone dress accordingly. Perhaps everyone follows an all-white or black tie dress code, or dresses like characters from a favorite TV show.
  • Decorate. What better time to pull out all the gold, silver, and sparkles? Create a selfie wall and be sure to add plenty of props like hats, wigs, sunglasses and horns.
  • Play games. Your household is bound to have a favorite game like Scattegories, Pictionary or Jenga. You can even find Quarantine Bingo on Etsy.
  • Make a signature drink. Champagne cocktails like the New Year’s Sparkler can definitely keep things festive.

Hosting a New Year’s Eve Party in an Apartment

If you do plan to host a small gathering that includes people that do not live with you, consider these additional safety measures:

  • Keep the guest list small to allow people from different households to remain at least six feet apart at all times.
  • Plan ahead and ask guests to get a COVID-19 test a few days before the gathering.
  • Consider hosting the event outdoors, if weather permits. If not, make sure the gathering is in a well-ventilated space. Open windows and balcony or patio doors to allow for air circulation.
  • Request that guests wear their masks at all times when not eating or drinking. Have extra disposable masks on hand for anyone who forgets to bring one.
  • Encourage guests to avoid singing or shouting, especially indoors. Keep music levels down so people don’t have to speak loudly to be heard.
  • Serve food and drinks individually versus with large platters and pitchers. Organize tables for eating by household, and keep tables at least six feet apart.
  • Set up hand sanitizing stations and provide plenty of soap, water and hand towels for frequent hand washing.

Getting Together While Far Apart

The safest way to celebrate New Year’s Eve with those outside of your household is virtually. Even if we can’t be with our loved ones this year, you can still have a virtual New Year’s Eve party in an apartment. 

  • Make it Meaningful: Send each other New Year’s care packages to open together via Zoom. Include good luck foods like mandarins or gold chocolate coins (according to Chinese tradition) or marzipan pigs (according to German tradition), a New Year’s Eve music playlist to share and listen to, or personal letters and resolutions for the New Year.
  • Invite Outsiders to the Party: If you are having a household party, include outside friends and family via Zoom. Give them a heads up on the theme, decorations, games and specialty cocktail and feel connected by arranging a time to celebrate together online. 
  • Don’t Miss the Countdown: The New Year’s Eve ball will drop in Times Square this year, but there won’t be a crowd to cheer it on. Watch it on TV with your distant loved ones and Facetime during the countdown.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve Safely with Southern Management

While New Year’s celebrations may look different this year, there are still ways to enjoy them while keeping yourself and your loved ones as safe as possible.

At Southern Management, we’re doing everything we can to ensure our current and prospective residents stay safe. Our current residents can continue to reach out to us through RentCafe (our resident portal), by email, or by phone.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to find a new apartment, we’re just a phone call (or a few keystrokes) away. We’re happy to chat and provide virtual apartment hunting resources, including what to expect during a virtual apartment tour. We can’t wait to speak with you, so contact our team today!