(Photo by Selma Komisky)

4 Ways To Bring in the New Year in Community

By Brittney Perez

There are many elements that can be synonymous with New Year’s Eve, the love interest (New Year’s Eve kiss at midnight), friends, and last, but not least, the big New Year’s Eve party. I think these elements are things our minds tend to associate with New Year’s Eve celebrations. But what if you don’t have a significant other to bring in the New Year with? What if you’re seeking to abstain from the whole party scene and don’t want to bring in the New Year drinking or what have you? In this article I’m going to give you a few different ways you can bring in the New Year!

Attend a Church Gathering

Last year, I found myself with nothing planned for New Year’s Eve. I was invited by a friend to attend his church’s New Year’s Eve party. Not going to lie, it didn’t sound all that appealing at first. Not because it was a “church” gathering, but because I knew I would really only know a few people. I ended up going and had a great time! We ate, talked, played games, and brought in the New Year watching fireworks light up the city (the family had a great view of the city lights). I would definitely recommend looking into attending a church gathering for New Year’s Eve. It’s fun to fellowship, eat together, and bring in the New Year with great people.

Have a Game Night

I don’t know about you, but I love games! I literally plays games with my boyfriend and his family on a weekly basis – so fun! Some of our favorite games include this card game called Golf, Exploding Kittens (not as brutal as it sounds, LOL), Ya Blew It!, Coup, and the list goes on. If you are looking to spend your New Year’s Eve in, possibly plan a game night! Invite some friends, bust out all your favorite games, maybe order some pizza, and play until midnight! Sounds like my kind of New Year’s Eve!

Plan a Sleepover

This may be more for girls, but a great idea if you can make it happen would be to have a sleepover! You can buy some of your favorite snacks, hangout, and bring in the New Year with your besties. You could even have a movie marathon! Invite your friends over to binge watch one of your favorite movie series or TV shows. Depending on how late you can stay up (or how early you start) maybe seek to see if you can get through an entire series. Sounds like a challenge and a bunch of fun!

Plan a Dinner with Friends

A great idea would be to stay in and invite friends over for dinner. Maybe you can do it potluck style. Invite some friends and ask everyone to bring a dish. If you want you can dress semi-formal just for fun or have a dress theme of your choice. Enjoy a nice meal together, maybe play some games, and watch the ball drop at midnight in NYC! That sounds like a fun way to bring in 2020!

I can’t believe a new decade will be dawning soon. 2020 is quickly approaching and I am excited! As much as I look at New Years as a time to reflect on the past year, it’s also a time to look ahead and move forward. I hope that these New Year’s Eve ideas were helpful and fun! May God’s blessings be upon you as you head into 2020 and “Should old acquaintance be forgot…” let us not forget God’s goodness and faithfulness!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!