8 Ideas to Celebrate New Year's Without Alcohol

Whether you're a homebody or someone who loves adventure, there are options for everyone.

Whether you're a homebody or someone who loves adventure, there are options for everyone.

Alcohol often leads to unfortunate consequences, from family arguments and embarrassing actions to injuries, frostbite, and burns from fireworks.

If you feel like you've outgrown alcohol-fueled parties and the thought of drinking under the New Year's table no longer excites you, try celebrating this New Year in a new way.

1. Host a Gourmet Dinner
   If you enjoy good food and don't feel like going anywhere on New Year's, why not host a gourmet dinner? Pick a few complex dishes you've never tried before, buy all the ingredients in advance, and start cooking in the evening.

Here are a few ideas:

• Try dishes from other cultures. For example, create a New Year's table with traditional dishes from one specific country or travel the world by trying dishes from different nations.
• Bake some holiday cookies. You could bake gingerbread cookies and decorate them with your family.
• Experiment with desserts. Try making Italian Christmas cookies, a chocolate mousse, or a mango sponge cake.
• Mix up some non-alcoholic cocktails. Drinks made from juices, teas, creams, and spices are a great alcohol alternative. Try caramel and cream juice, spiced smoothies with apples and nuts, or Dutch hot chocolate.

Pay attention to table setting and prepare a feast for New Year's.

2. Celebrate New Year in the Forest
   If you live near a forest and the weather isn't too harsh, consider spending the holiday in nature. Build a campfire, grill some meat, and bring plenty of hot tea in thermoses.

The winter forest is incredibly beautiful, so you'll surely have lasting positive memories. Just make sure to plan ahead:

• Choose a spot. Find a clearing to celebrate the New Year. Stock up on firewood and kindling for the fire.
• Consider potential problems. If you're driving, check if your car can handle snowy roads. If you're unsure, think about how you might get out of a snowdrift and who you could call to pull you out.
• Dress warmly. Don't rely solely on the campfire, especially if you'll be walking to the location. If it's windy outside, you can easily get frostbite on your face or fingers, so make sure to wear layers and bring mittens.

3. Go on a Trip
   Another option for those who don't like staying at home. Even with a modest budget, you can go on a mini-trip to a nearby city, walk through decorated streets, and discover new places. Just make sure to book your accommodation in advance, as rental prices soar during New Year's.

4. Rewatch Favorite Movies
   You probably have a list of favorite movies you can watch over and over again. Maybe it's several parts of a saga like The Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, a season of your favorite series, or films by a specific director.

If you're unsure of what to watch, check out our selection of movies to create a New Year's atmosphere. Prepare tasty drinks and snacks and celebrate the holiday with your favorite characters.

5. Stay Active During the Holiday
   Find out if your city has an option to celebrate the New Year on a ski slope or in a park decorated for the season. Maybe there's a hill nearby for tubing or an open-air ice rink that's open all night long.

Either way, you can always organize a snowball fight in your backyard—watch fireworks and have fun to your heart's content.

6. Play Board Games
   If you're hosting a big group at home, try playing Mafia, Monopoly, or Jenga. Or you could try something new.

There are plenty of options: strategy games, reaction and attention challenges, and games that test your ability to build associations and tell stories. You'll find several great options here.

With a good board game, you could have your best New Year celebration yet—without arguments—and discover hidden talents in yourself or your loved ones.

7. Practice Mindfulness
   New Year's is traditionally celebrated with company or family, but if you're tired of noise, late dinners, and forced cheerfulness, why not spend the time alone?

Reflect on the year past, remember the good moments, and think about what you'd like to experience in the future. Take a bath, listen to music, or practice yoga—give attention to your body and thoughts.

If you meditate, there's no better way to start the New Year. Focus on your sensations and thoughts, be present in the moment, and enjoy every breath, movement, taste, or sound.

Start the year with mindfulness, and you might find it more fulfilling overall.

8. Put on a Show
   If you have kids, organize a home theater performance. Act out scenes from your favorite movie or cartoon, choose a play, or put together a musical or concert.

Rehearse the roles and make costumes. You can pick out music and even buy children's microphones that alter voices. They are affordable and can make any character sound realistic, whether deep-voiced or high-pitched.

Put on a show for guests or record it for your family archive.