2020 has undoubtedly been an interesting and challenging year for us all. And while many of us may be ready to say goodbye to this year and embrace the new year it’s still worth celebrating! After all, we all made it through another year and that in itself is worth a celebration. Thankfully, there are many fun and safe ways we can celebrate this holiday. From playing games and connecting with the family to starting new traditions and beyond.
This New Year’s Eve may be very different than past years but it’s all about your outlook and having a positive mindset. So let’s embrace the current situation and explore fun and safe ways seniors can celebrate New Year’s Eve!
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Make Resolutions
Have you been meaning to schedule your yearly medical checkup? Or have you been wanting to declutter your home? There’s no better time to start than in the new year!
Making New Year’s resolutions can be a good thing you just need to make sure they’re realistic. Otherwise, you can fall into the cycle of abandoning your resolutions within just a few weeks of the near year. If you need ideas check out these healthy New Year’s resolutions seniors can actually keep!
Connect Virtually with Family
Even if you can’t get together with your family in-person this year, there are other ways you can stay connected. A great way to connect is to get together through video chat. You can enjoy a meal together, have a quick chat, or ring in the new year virtually.
While this might not feel quite the same as being together in person, it is certainly the next best thing. And finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re having trouble setting up a virtual visit.
Create a Time Capsule
If you’re looking for something fun to do this New Year’s Eve, why not make a time capsule. This has undoubtedly been a memorable year so preserve the memories with items that remind you of this year.
You could include a face mask, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, a newspaper clipping, a handwritten note with your fondest memories, and even photographs. You can even start a new family tradition and open the time capsules every few years.
Bake Treats
If you enjoy baking what better way to spend your time on New Year’s Eve than making delicious treats! You can bake for yourself or you can bake treats to send to family. You might even want to consider enjoying your treats virtually so you can feel like you’re together.
If you have grandchildren you can even bake together through a video call. Ask your children to make the same recipe as you and you can walk your grandchildren through the recipe.
Watch the Ball Drop on Tv
You might have to skip the New Year’s parties this year but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep up with traditions. The good news is you can still watch the Ball Drop in New York City’s Time Square on television.
Even though there won’t be the same large crowds in Time Square this year, there will still be live performances and other sources of entertainment you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
Decorate Your Home
What better way to get into the mood for New Year’s Eve than to decorate your home with a few festive decorations. Even if the decorations are just for you to enjoy, it’s something fun to do and you may even find it puts you in a good mood.
In addition to decorating your home, why not go all out and get dressed up. Put on your favorite party outfit and enjoy ringing in the new year!
Countdown the New Year Earlier
Staying up late to ring in the new year isn’t for everyone, and that is okay! In fact, sticking to a regular sleep schedule is an essential part of getting a better night’s rest. Even if you go to bed early, you can still count down to the New Year a little earlier.
Simply pick a time you’d like to have a New Year’s toast and celebrate at that time instead. You could even connect with friends and family virtually at this time to celebrate together!
Enjoy Good Luck Foods
Did you know many cultures consider certain foods to be lucky? This year indulge in some good luck foods from around the world! For example, in Japan and China, long noodles symbolize long and prosperous life. Further, Germany, Ireland, and certain parts of the United States associate cabbage with luck and fortune due to its green color.
Some countries even believe fish symbolizes abundance since they swim in schools. Further, lentils are enjoyed on New Year’s day in Italy as they resemble coins and are said to bring good fortune. Other good fortune foods include mandarins, dumplings, and grapes.
Make New Traditions
We live in a world that is continuously changing and traditions give us something to look forward to, giving us a sense of belonging, comfort, and normalcy. You probably have a variety of New Year’s traditions but it’s never too late to start new ones!
There are many healthy New Year’s traditions you can start such as going for a walk with your family, giving a toast, or lighting sparklers. You might also enjoy focusing on gratitude this year. You can do this by writing a letter to yourself or starting a gratitude journal where you can spend a few minutes each day writing about things you are thankful for. The options are endless!
Reflect on Past Years
What better way to embrace the beginning of a new year by reflecting on the past years. Go ahead and pull out those photo albums and enjoy a few hours of reflection.
In fact, reflecting on past years has health benefits! The American Psychological Association states that reminiscing can improve your physiological well-being and is great for boosting your mood, relieving stress, and may even help ward off symptoms of depression.
Play Games
Last but surely not least, don’t forget to have fun! Spend this day playing the games you enjoy. Did you know playing games can even have boost your brain health? Some games can even help improve your memory!
Did you know you can even play games with family virtually? If you can’t get together with them this year on New Year’s Eve set up a time to play a game online together.
