What to Do on New Year's Eve This Year
Say farewell to 2016 in style with these fun, unforgettable and family-friendly ideas
Are you planning on heading to Sydney to experience its spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks show this year? Well, if you don’t live near the city or aren’t too fussed on heading to Sydney Harbour and braving the crowd of a million-plus revellers who are expected to attend the world-famous event, don’t worry; there are plenty of exciting and memorable ways you can ring in the New Year at home that may just rival the annual fireworks extravaganza.
Need some New Year’s Eve party inspiration? Here are eight fun, family friendly ideas to get you started…
Need some New Year’s Eve party inspiration? Here are eight fun, family friendly ideas to get you started…
2. Plan a pool party
According to weather forecasts for the rest of December, this New Year’s Eve is (surprise, surprise) set to be a warm one around the country. So, what better way to celebrate than by having a pool party for your family and friends?
A stunning, decked out outdoor entertaining and pool area like this one would provide the perfect setting for a New Year’s Eve celebration. The pool provides plenty of room for kids and adults to swim or horse around in the water, while the covered al fresco zone (a.k.a. party central) boasts an outdoor kitchen and meals area, where guests can rest and enjoy sustenance so they have ample energy to party on until the early hours of the morning.
Notice, too, how there’s a large TV positioned above the kitchen, which means guests can swim, splash around or simply float in the water throughout the evening and watch the Sydney fireworks display at the same time.
According to weather forecasts for the rest of December, this New Year’s Eve is (surprise, surprise) set to be a warm one around the country. So, what better way to celebrate than by having a pool party for your family and friends?
A stunning, decked out outdoor entertaining and pool area like this one would provide the perfect setting for a New Year’s Eve celebration. The pool provides plenty of room for kids and adults to swim or horse around in the water, while the covered al fresco zone (a.k.a. party central) boasts an outdoor kitchen and meals area, where guests can rest and enjoy sustenance so they have ample energy to party on until the early hours of the morning.
Notice, too, how there’s a large TV positioned above the kitchen, which means guests can swim, splash around or simply float in the water throughout the evening and watch the Sydney fireworks display at the same time.
3. Celebrate with a camping trip
Tell your kids they’ll be sleeping under the stars this New Year’s Eve and we bet they’ll be happy campers. Stock up on lots of tasty snacks – and don’t forget food for breakfast (personally, we don’t think you can go wrong with bacon or sausages with eggs)! – as well as sparklers, glow sticks and party poppers to help get everyone in the party spirit.
We suggest picking a camping spot near the beach so you can spend the next day in the sun and surf, which is a popular Australian New Year’s Day tradition. Alternatively, if you prefer the comforts of home or don’t want to travel too far away, pitch a few tents in your backyard instead – it’s the perfect compromise!
Tell your kids they’ll be sleeping under the stars this New Year’s Eve and we bet they’ll be happy campers. Stock up on lots of tasty snacks – and don’t forget food for breakfast (personally, we don’t think you can go wrong with bacon or sausages with eggs)! – as well as sparklers, glow sticks and party poppers to help get everyone in the party spirit.
We suggest picking a camping spot near the beach so you can spend the next day in the sun and surf, which is a popular Australian New Year’s Day tradition. Alternatively, if you prefer the comforts of home or don’t want to travel too far away, pitch a few tents in your backyard instead – it’s the perfect compromise!
4. Open up your home to loved ones for a chilled New Year’s Eve celebration
Heading out on the town to ring in the New Year can be over-hyped and anti-climatic. After all, tickets to party venues often cost a pretty penny (and that’s not even counting cab fares or accommodation), you have to spend the whole night dealing with drunken revellers, plus chances are high that you start to tire as midnight creeps closer and wish you were celebrating in your jammies at home so you could crawl into bed the second after the clock strikes 12.
So, instead of giving in to the hype and planning a night out on December 31, why not plan a chilled party at home and invite your family and friends over to join the festivities. Fire up the barbie; put some bubbly, beer and cocktail mixers on ice (or sparkling grape juice, ginger beer and mocktail ingredients for the kids); play some upbeat party tracks; and set up makeshift beds so your guests have somewhere to crash once the celebration winds down.
Heading out on the town to ring in the New Year can be over-hyped and anti-climatic. After all, tickets to party venues often cost a pretty penny (and that’s not even counting cab fares or accommodation), you have to spend the whole night dealing with drunken revellers, plus chances are high that you start to tire as midnight creeps closer and wish you were celebrating in your jammies at home so you could crawl into bed the second after the clock strikes 12.
So, instead of giving in to the hype and planning a night out on December 31, why not plan a chilled party at home and invite your family and friends over to join the festivities. Fire up the barbie; put some bubbly, beer and cocktail mixers on ice (or sparkling grape juice, ginger beer and mocktail ingredients for the kids); play some upbeat party tracks; and set up makeshift beds so your guests have somewhere to crash once the celebration winds down.
5. Say farewell to the year with a 2016-themed shindig
Since we’re bidding adieu to one year and welcoming the start of another, it makes sense that on New Year’s Eve we acknowledge the past 12 months that have gone by. One way to do this is by hosting a 2016-themed party.
Ask your guests to dress up as a famous figure or character who has been in the spotlight this year, such as an actor who won an Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards. Couples might like to dress up as a famous duo – Brad and Angelina, anyone?
When putting together a party soundtrack, fill your playlist with hits from this year, and why not put a 2016-themed trivia game on the itinerary for the night? It’s sure to provide lots of laughs, plus you might just learn a few fun facts about the past year that you didn’t know!
Since we’re bidding adieu to one year and welcoming the start of another, it makes sense that on New Year’s Eve we acknowledge the past 12 months that have gone by. One way to do this is by hosting a 2016-themed party.
Ask your guests to dress up as a famous figure or character who has been in the spotlight this year, such as an actor who won an Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards. Couples might like to dress up as a famous duo – Brad and Angelina, anyone?
When putting together a party soundtrack, fill your playlist with hits from this year, and why not put a 2016-themed trivia game on the itinerary for the night? It’s sure to provide lots of laughs, plus you might just learn a few fun facts about the past year that you didn’t know!
6. Organise a games night
Who doesn’t love a games night? It’s a great idea for those who wish to keep their New Year’s Eve celebration low-key but want to do something fun and family friendly to mark the occasion. Our top board game picks? Monopoly, Scattegories, Pictionary and Game of Life. You might also like to pull out your gaming consoles so guests can challenge each other to a game of Super Mario 8, Just Dance or LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, which are also sure to be a hit with young and old alike. Having a Twister mat or even a deck of cards on hand is sure to provide hours of fun, too.
Who doesn’t love a games night? It’s a great idea for those who wish to keep their New Year’s Eve celebration low-key but want to do something fun and family friendly to mark the occasion. Our top board game picks? Monopoly, Scattegories, Pictionary and Game of Life. You might also like to pull out your gaming consoles so guests can challenge each other to a game of Super Mario 8, Just Dance or LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, which are also sure to be a hit with young and old alike. Having a Twister mat or even a deck of cards on hand is sure to provide hours of fun, too.
7. Kick back in front of your TV
Why not have a movie marathon on New Year’s Eve? Pick a selection of new releases, family friendly flicks and holiday themed movies (the star-studded film New Year’s Eve is an obvious choice) to watch throughout the night, and then have an intermission just before midnight so you can join millions of home-bound partygoers around the world in watching the Sydney fireworks on TV.
Don’t forget to provide plenty of snacks to munch on during your movie-viewing session, as well as drinks to sip as you toast the year gone by and the one to come.
Why not have a movie marathon on New Year’s Eve? Pick a selection of new releases, family friendly flicks and holiday themed movies (the star-studded film New Year’s Eve is an obvious choice) to watch throughout the night, and then have an intermission just before midnight so you can join millions of home-bound partygoers around the world in watching the Sydney fireworks on TV.
Don’t forget to provide plenty of snacks to munch on during your movie-viewing session, as well as drinks to sip as you toast the year gone by and the one to come.
8. Party on past midnight by having a countdown for different time zones
Although Australia is one of the first countries to ring in the New Year, that doesn’t mean we have to stop celebrating once the clock strikes midnight in our time zone. Keep the party going well into the morning and even the next day by making a toast when cities around the world welcome in 2016. Doing this for every country may become old after a while, so pick a few destinations like Paris (10am AEST), London (11am AEST) or New York (4pm AEST) that you can cheers to once the clock ticks over to 12 in each location. Live streaming each city’s epic fireworks display will add to the atmosphere and excitement, too.
Although Australia is one of the first countries to ring in the New Year, that doesn’t mean we have to stop celebrating once the clock strikes midnight in our time zone. Keep the party going well into the morning and even the next day by making a toast when cities around the world welcome in 2016. Doing this for every country may become old after a while, so pick a few destinations like Paris (10am AEST), London (11am AEST) or New York (4pm AEST) that you can cheers to once the clock ticks over to 12 in each location. Live streaming each city’s epic fireworks display will add to the atmosphere and excitement, too.
TELL US
Where will you be counting down to midnight on December 31? Will you be heading to Sydney Harbour to see the fireworks, a party or having a quiet one at home? We’d love to know how you’ll be celebrating this New Year’s Eve, so share your party plans with us in the comments section.
MORE
Camp Out at Home These Summer Holidays
Let’s Play! Reconnect the Family With Indoor Games
10 Dinner Party Dos and Don’ts for Guests and Hosts
Where will you be counting down to midnight on December 31? Will you be heading to Sydney Harbour to see the fireworks, a party or having a quiet one at home? We’d love to know how you’ll be celebrating this New Year’s Eve, so share your party plans with us in the comments section.
MORE
Camp Out at Home These Summer Holidays
Let’s Play! Reconnect the Family With Indoor Games
10 Dinner Party Dos and Don’ts for Guests and Hosts
New Year’s Eve provides the perfect excuse to get dolled (or suited) up; pull out your best china and stemware; pop open a bottle of bubbly that’s been reserved for a special occasion; and host a fancy dinner party to toast the end of one year and the start of another. Keep things intimate by keeping the guest list to immediate family members, or invite a larger group of family and friends to add to the atmosphere.
Consider rearranging your furniture to make space for an impromptu dance floor so you can sway, shuffle or boogie on down until it’s time to count down to midnight. Setting up a photo booth with a chair, props and instant camera to hand is a fun and thoughtful touch that may also be a hit with your guests.