Fun things to do on New Year’s Eve

It’s always the way. You get wrapped up in all of the shopping and planning for December 25, and then, out of the blue, ‘New Year’s Eve’ suddenly swings by virtually unannounced (even though you know exactly when it’s going to turn up every year.)

After all the busyness of the Christmas season, New Year’s Eve is a chance to exhale, let your hair down, and celebrate the year that was and all the possibilities of year that will be.

And while the art of celebrating can mean different things to different people, it’s nice to plan something ‘special’ to do whether you’ll be with family, friends, or going solo.

So, while it feels like it can’t possibly be time to start thinking about NYE already, it is indeed time to plan ahead, especially if you want to book in for dinner, an event or even a night away.

To help get the ball rolling, we’ve come up with a few less expected but fun ways to say goodbye to 2019 and hello 2020:

Organise a Pot Luck Party

If you have no idea what a Pot Luck Party is, perhaps you’re more familiar with the Aussie translation: ‘Bring a plate.’

You know, when you invite a bunch of people around to your place and get them to bring the food. Genius.

If you’re thinking the whole ‘Bring a plate’ concept is a bit outdated and more in keeping with Great Aunty Ethel’s 60th garden party, you couldn’t be more wrong.

It is back baby, and for good reason.

A Pot Luck Party is a great way to get everyone together, and share food, recipes and a lot of laughs. Best of all, you won’t be spending the entire time in the kitchen, so you can actually relax and enjoy the party rather than stressing about catering for everyone’s dietary needs. This style of entertaining also has a way of making the get together more relaxed which can.

So, if you love the idea of having your friends over for New Year’s but don’t love the idea of having to cook for them all, why not throw out an invite for a Pot Luck Party.

Plan a games night

Board games are so 2020. And that’s why this suggestion also falls into the ‘so retro it’s cool’ category.

Grab a stack of games and invite some fellow board game tragics around for a super-fun night rolling the dice. You’ll get so wrapped up in the game you’ll almost forget to countdown at midnight.

If board games aren’t your thing, plan some party games instead. All you need is a couple of ping pong balls and a stack of plastic cups (or, better still, some paper bio cups if sustainability is your new year’s resolution). With just these simple things you will be able to keep your friends or family entertained for hours and your sides will be sore from laughing. If you’re stuck for game ideas, there’s an almost endless stream of party game videos on YouTube. You’re welcome.

Catch a movie for the last time this year

If you’re looking for a little more low-key way to fill in the time till midnight, you could always head off to the flicks. There are always a few new releases on Boxing Day so there should be a few movies to choose from. If you really want to go out with an understated bang, go for the gold class option, or at least find a cinema with reclining seats. After all, it will be your last chance to do it this year!

Just make sure you find out when it finishes and allow time for you to get to wherever you want to be in time for when the clock strikes 12.

Find some fireworks near you

Ok, so this one is a bit more expected, but seeing as fireworks have been getting a bad rap of late while our farmers are doing it tough, we wanted to still give them a mention.

While it may seem like money is just going up in smoke with every ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh’, it’s worth remembering that firework displays actually do serve a purpose (as well as look really pretty).

They do a great job of attracting visitors to the areas where they’re held and are a boost for the local businesses that depend on these events.

Wherever you are, there’s a good chance that there will be some New Year’s Eve fireworks going off somewhere near you. (And we don’t mean the illegal variety that Johnno from around the corner managed to organise from a mate of a mate.)

Look up the events or ‘what’s happening’ page of your local council website and you’re sure to find a display not too far away from home. If you’re going to have the kids in tow, make sure you look for an event which has an early family display, so you can ring in the new year at a kid-friendly hour.

Go to bed early

What? Was that, cough party pooper, we hear you say?

At first thought, this suggestion may seem like it’s not a whole barrel of fun. However, before you pass judgement, please, hear us out – you might just decide that it’s our most amazing idea yet.

In actual fact, this tip is really more about New Year’s Day than it is about New Year’s Eve.

Here’s the thing: you could choose, like most people, to see out the old year with a bang and party on till the clock strikes twelve; or, on the other hand, you could focus your efforts on how you will spend the very first day of the brand-new year.

What about setting off for a hike as light begins to wash over the landscape so that you reach the summit just as the sun peeks over the horizon for the very first morning of the year.

Or imagine heading to the beach for a swim or a surf in time to watch the sun rise over the ocean followed by a picnic breakfast.

Even if getting up early isn’t your thing, you can still plan to do something special on the first day of the year. Whether it’s catching up with friends or family, heading off for a picnic, you’re going to enjoy it a whole lot more without a hangover and a good night’s sleep under your belt.

Sounds a whole lot better than spending the first day of the year on the couch recovering from the night before, don’t you think?

So, if you’re just not sure what to do this New Year’s Eve, maybe call it a night and get a jump on 2020 with a spectacular New Year’s Day.

Visit our New Year Prize Home

Or course you could spend your New Year fantasising about what could be if you snag yourself a ticket in our New Year Home Lottery.

Our New Year Prize Home in beautiful Birtinya is open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day between 10am and 5pm. Come and explore this spectacular home and imagine what your 2020 may look like if you are lucky enough to have the winning ticket.

Buy Tickets