NYE Celebration at Home: Your Guide to a Fabulous Night In

Happy (almost) New Year’s Eve! Can you believe we’re just a couple of days away from welcoming a brand-new year? It feels like time moves faster the older we get (and honestly, I’m not thrilled about that!). Speaking of getting older, it seems like only yesterday I was strutting through the hottest nightclubs with my friends, rocking 6-inch heels, a disco ball headband on my head, and a vodka Red Bull in hand (yuck). A lot has changed since then, and while those were some fun times, my preferences for an NYE celebration—both in experiences and drinks—have definitely leveled up, thank goodness!

For years, Drew and I treated our NYE celebrations as something special. We’d dine at some of the most delicious and beautifully styled restaurants in the city, all dressed to the nines. It’s always been a night we’ve celebrated. While we’ve had to hit pause on five-star dining for the past couple of years (new baby life will do that), we’re hopeful to revive that tradition someday. For now, though, I’m fully embracing the charm of a soft, sophisticated night-in with my beautiful family.

With that said, I wanted to share with you some of my ideas for a NYE celebration at home, as well as how I plan for the new year ahead. This is going to be jam-packed, so let’s dive in!

Setting the vibe for a chic night-in

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thrilled to completely deck out my home with NYE flair. I’ve done this in past years, but this time, I’m fully leaning in. Think black, gold, candles, and maybe a disco ball or two. When done right, New Year’s decor can look incredibly chic (though I’m also for going all out with the drama of glitter, sparkles, and disco balls everywhere!). The most important thing is to do what makes you happy—it’s the start of a new year, after all, so it has to be done right!

Here are some ideas for infusing a little NYE flair into your already-existing holiday decor for a fun NYE celebration at home:

• Bows – If you follow me on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve probably seen the holiday decorating videos I posted. Bows were the theme this year, but for New Year’s eve, I swapped out the burgundy bows on my candlesticks for black bows-instant vibe shift.

• Fancy glasses – It’s more fun sipping champagne from a coupe glass. There are so many pretty options on Amazon–both the glass and plastic varieties.
• Disco ball bowl filler – This is such an easy decor swap, hit up the Amazon or Temu for a mix of sizes and add to your coffee table or shelf bowl.
• Mantle garland – If you have a mantle, this is another cute and easy addition for NYE. Drape it right next to the greenery, it’ll look stunning!
• Balloons – This one may not be the most chic, but it’s certainly the most fun! My daughter is currently in the obsessed-with-anything-that-looks-like-a-ball phase, and balloons are certainly included in this. I ordered a multipack of gold, black, and silver and plan to cover the floor with them for her entertainment. It’ll make for some cute photos too!

• Candles – Of course! They just instantly elevate everything. There are some cute hurricane vases that you can set your pillar candles inside and set them out. It looks so chic and gives a festive look to any space.
• Disco ball ornaments – If your tree is still up for New Year’s eve, add some disco ball ornaments to your tree. The lights will reflect off the ornaments so perfectly. It’ll be like you’re standing in Times Square in your living room.

When it comes to creating a festive New Year’s eve atmosphere at home, the decor is only half the part. You have to look the part too! But I’m not talking about getting dressed up, no way! This is all about elevated comfort.

Here are a few ideas for how to look and feel your best for ringing in the New Year at home:

• Silk or satin pajama set – And no, you don’t have to break the bank with this one. There are hundreds of cute options online. I saw a bunch that I loved on Amazon, Target and Macy’s. Staying in on New Year’s Eve is becoming the new thing, and retailers know this, so they are creating some chic pajama sets that you just might be tempted to wear out of the house.

• Schedule a mani and/or pedi – I know you’re staying in so why spend the money, right? Wrong! You want to ring in the new year feeling your very best and if a fresh manicure or pedicure (or both) makes you feel like your fabulous self, then girlfriend, book that appointment!

• Take an Everything Shower – If you haven’t heard of this before, it’s pretty much a long shower: shaving, shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, exfoliating, the whole thing. It takes a while, but it’s worth it when you’re all done. You want to ring in the new year feeling your very best, and I’d argue that everyone feels their best after an everything shower.
• Hair and makeup – Okay, hear me out again. I’m not saying you have to go full beat face with the makeup (Again, for those who don’t know, that simply means full-faced glam), but if you feel great in your makeup and want to take some cute pics with your family and friends, go for it. I’ll probably put some mascara on and have my brows done for sure…and maybe a fun lip combo.
• Festive jewelry – I ordered these cute disco ball earrings because why not?! It’s New Year’s Eve and everything can be a little more fun…even when you’re staying home.
• Tidy your home – I know this sounds daunting, but tidying up the house–emptying trash, cleaning out the fridge, washing your sheets–will give your space that refreshed feel as you enter into a new year.
• Make a delicious meal – Hit up your favorite grocery store or market a couple of days prior for everything you need. Prep as much as you can the day before so that on NYE night, it’s just putting the finishing touches on things and cooking. I think we’re going to have a surf and turf meal at home. I cannot wait!

When it comes to an actual itinerary for the night, that I do not have a plan for. When you have a toddler, you do the best you can (more on this in another post) and hope you don’t end up wiped out, sitting across from each other like, “WTF just happened?”

Here is what I’d like my evening to like, but again, we’re just wishful thinking:

The life of a mom and dad who are planning to stay in on NYE night with a toddler goes a little something like this.

• 2-3 pm – Return home from a much needed pedicure
• 3-4 pm – Remember that everything shower I told you about – here’s when I’d like for that to happen.
• 4 – 5 pm – Pour me a very delicious Dirty Martini with three blue cheese-stuffed olives on a very festive disco ball skewer (pics on my IG stories to come)
• 5-6 pm – My daughter will probably have taken over the TV so I’ll hop in the kitchen and help my husband with dinner. He’s pretty much the chef in the house (when you brag about how good your cooking is, you earn the right to do the cooking, I said what I said!)
• 6-7pm – Depending on how many appetizers and snacks can hold Gisele and I over, we may still be hanging with Daddy in the kitchen, and I may be on my second martini at this point.
• 7-8 pm – Dinner, for sure. Gisele never lets us wait any later than this to eat. We’ll sit around our dinner table and I’ll probably have some soft jazz playing because I’m boujee like that.
• 8 – 9 pm – Clean up the kitchen and spend time with our daughter before her bedtime.
• 9-11 pm – Gisele is sound asleep at this point, so Drew and I will be scrolling Netflix for a fun movie to watch until approximately 11:30 pm. I will probably ask Drew if he is falling asleep at least four times to which he will say “no” while simultaneously continuing to fall back asleep.
• 11:30 pm – midnight – I will turn on Rocking New Year’s Eve and watch the countdown to the ball drop. I’ll grab my champagne and wake Drew up at approximately 11:55 pm to which he will get his second wind, kiss me at the ball drop, and then ask if we have anything sweet to eat.
• 12:10 am – I will text a few close family and friends Happy New Year and turn in for the night, but not before chugging the largest glass of iced cold lemon water and popping ibuprofen because there won’t be any room for a champagne headache coming into 2025.

Setting the vibe for a chic and elevated 2025

Waking up on January 1 always feels a bit strange. On one hand, it’s just another day, but on the other, there’s this stillness in the air that feels almost surreal. The streets are quiet, there are no cars rushing by, and most businesses and shops are closed for the holiday. It’s a calm I often crave but rarely get to experience.

This moment holds so much meaning for me because it feels like it sets the tone for the day and the weeks ahead. For many, January 1 feels like a “clean slate” kind of day—a reset. I fully embrace that mindset and usually dedicate some time to reflecting on the goals I want to achieve in the coming year.

Reflecting and goal setting.

Last year, I tried a reflection jar, and it was such a wonderful exercise to do on January 1—or even a day or two later. It’s a simple but powerful way to track your goals throughout the year. I highly recommend doing this with your family, too! Give everyone their own jar to write down their goals, then store them away with your Christmas decorations. When it’s time to pull out your holiday decor at the end of the year, you’ll find the jars and have a special moment revisiting your goals together on New Year’s Eve.

Vision boarding.

This easily ranks in my top three favorite things to do for the new year. Being very Type A (if you haven’t noticed) means planning and goal-setting are kind of my thing. Add to that the fact that I’m a highly visual person, and it’s no surprise I could spend hours creating a vision board.

Here’s the one I made last year. While I didn’t hit every single goal or aspiration on it, I made meaningful progress toward them. Each image represented how I wanted to feel, the direction I envisioned for my career, and how I hoped to show up for my family. It’s such an insightful exercise, and it can be fun to do with friends, family, or—if you’re like me—solo (which is my preference!). Stay tuned to my IG because I’m going to be sharing how I do my vision board for 2025.

Do something for your mental and physical health.

This year, I plan to start off my morning with some fresh air. Whether there’s snow on the ground, it’s 20 degrees outside, or it’s raining, I’m getting out there. Starting 2025 with something that benefits both my physical and mental health feels like the perfect way to set the tone for the year. Of course, this can look different for everyone, but the key is having a plan. Trust me, you’ll feel amazing when you follow through. Accomplishing something on an ordinary day feels great, but accomplishing something on the first day of a new year? That feels incredible—and that’s exactly the vibe I’m aiming for.

Here are a few other ideas you can incorporate on the first day of the new year:

• Make a healthy smoothie – If you over-indulged the night before, this will feel so good. I live for an ice cold smoothie bowl packed full of berries. A chef’s kiss indeed.

• Go for a walk – Cool, fresh air feels so good in the morning.
• Listen to an inspiring podcast – Another favorite of mine is listening to a good podcast to uplift and motivate me. A few of my favorite shows are The Ed Mylett Show, The Skinny Confidential: Him & Her, The Dream Bigger Podcast and Well with Arielle Lorre.
• Take time to call loved ones – Spending the first few hours of the day connecting with your loved ones just hits differently. Starting the new year talking to those you care the most for is a special kind of feeling that you can’t recreate.
• Eat a delicious meal – While it might not fall on the “healthy” meter, it definitely makes me happy and that pretty much equals good mental health, right? New Year’s Day food is a whole other tradition I haven’t even mentioned, but I love it. Give me the cornbread, black-eyed peas, greens, pork, and sauerkraut and a really comfortable outfit, and I’m in heaven.
• Get to bed early – If you pulled a late night the night before, getting to bed early on New Year’s day is going to feel wonderful.
• Take an extra PTO day – I started this tradition last year, and it’s been such a game-changer. I’ve always hated diving straight back into work on January 2. Giving myself just one extra day to soak in the holiday magic feels so much more intentional and less frantic. I like to think of it as a mental health day—a chance to decompress and ease back into reality.
• Do something fun – Or simply relax! Start the new year feeling happy and content, no matter how you choose to spend the day. Here are a few fun things I’ve done on January 1 over the years: catch a movie in theaters, have a cozy movie marathon at home, shop for those holiday wish-list items, or watch some football (a New Year’s Day classic!).

I hope you’ve found some inspiration for a fun NYE celebration at home and fresh and exciting New Year’s Day! As I mentioned, this holiday is quickly becoming one of my favorites for all the reasons I’ve shared, and I can’t wait to close out 2024 surrounded by loved ones and welcome 2025 with so much happiness and excitement for the year ahead. If you’re planning a fun NYE celebration at home, creating a vision board, or trying the aspiration jar with your family or friends, be sure to tag me on your socials—I always love seeing your ideas! Also, be sure to follow along on my IG, I’ll be sharing some other inspiring NYE content leading up to NYE!

Also, if you’re looking for product inspiration to help bring your vision to life, I’ve linked some of my favorite finds on my Amazon Storefront, so be sure to check that out!

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