Mandatory masks, social distancing and contact restrictions: The year 2020 was as unusual as it took some getting used to and brought with it a number of challenges. Nevertheless, it was also a year in which we all learned to enjoy the little things in everyday life. Many of us discovered the joy of baking banana or sourdough bread, others discovered the joy of hobby gardening. And as it was not always possible to meet friends and family, the rare get-togethers were all the more appreciated. One area in which we have experienced really big changes is events. Many things had to be canceled this year or had to take place in smaller circles and digitally. As a PR agency that is also active in this area, we have been observing the current trends and opportunities over the last few months and have been inspired by the many creative ideas. And because New Year's Eve is just around the corner, we have collected a few ideas here on how to make this year's New Year's Eve, which is usually celebrated on such a grand scale, at least as memorable as the previous one.
Fine delicacies and delicious drinks
Since the way to the heart is through the stomach, cozy dinners and good drinks are a great way to end the old year together with your closest circle. Homemade sushi, for example, is a great activity where you can sit together for hours while rolling the makis. The rolls taste particularly good with a good sake and unusual sushi fillings.
However, if you've already cooked enough this year, you can order delicious catering instead and feel like you have your own chef at home. This is the perfect opportunity to finally try out the new restaurant around the corner or an exotic cuisine such as Ethiopian. What's more, you'll be supporting local gastronomy and earning your first karma points for the new year.
Unusual drinks or high-quality wines and spirits are part of a successful New Year's Eve for many. An alcohol tasting is another fun and easy-to-organize way to welcome in the New Year: an alcohol category is chosen and each guest brings their favourite bottle. If you want to make it more professional, you can prepare a questionnaire to rate the drinks. Our favorite for a wine tasting is the special edition "Mein Grüner Veltliner" created by Eckart Witzigmann from the Türk winery, which was designed as the perfect accompaniment for light starters, pasta dishes, risotto, poultry and fish. For a gin tasting, the BLACK GIN Distillers Cut from the traditional Gansloser distillery is highly recommended, with its dominant juniper flavor and the aromas of ginger, orange and lemon.
Games, fun and excitement
If you want a little more action on New Year's Eve, you can also arrange to meet up with your loved ones for a sociable games evening or even a games tournament - with a prize for the winner of the evening. With the new games from our customer Schmidt Spiele, for example, fun, excitement and all kinds of challenges are guaranteed.
For a game with even more stakes, murder mystery dinners can also be organized on New Year's Eve. Suitable murder mystery dinner sets including characters, costume templates and game instructions can be purchased and downloaded quickly and easily online. Make sure that the invitations are sent out well in advance so that the guests have time to prepare.
Watch out for vocal wonders: Those who don't mind neighbors at home can borrow a karaoke system and challenge their friends to a fun song battle. And who knows, maybe you'll discover the next superstar among you, because unlike in a karaoke bar, at home you're just among yourselves and can really show what you've got.
After a long year, others may prefer to take it a little easier. A New Year's Eve sleepover with good movies, delicious snacks and plenty of time to chat and relax is another option for starting the new year. For all those who have already spent hours on Netflix & Co. this year, a photo evening with family or closest friends is a good idea instead. All everyone has to do is bring along their favorite photos from the past year, transfer them to a TV and the slideshow can begin.
If you miss your wider circle of family or friends despite the many possibilities, you can simply make them part of the evening. Our customer SamSaidYes offers the perfect app for this. Here, a hybrid event room can be opened quickly and easily, allowing the many small individual celebrations to be combined. All guests can then share their special moments by uploading spontaneous and unaffected photos and videos and feel as if they are celebrating together - from anywhere in the world. For even more fun, photo or video challenges can also be set in the app, such as the most elaborate New Year's Eve menu, the most beautiful New Year's Eve kiss picture or - if there is a theme - the coolest disguise, in which all guests can take part. As all the pictures in the app are retained even after the event, this New Year's Eve memories are also created and captured.