For Women Spending New Year’s Eve Alone
There are women who will be spending New Year’s Eve alone. Either you will be choosing to spend the evening alone. Or sadly, you might have recently lost the person you normally celebrate with.
And I’m terribly sorry if it’s the latter.
Maybe you don’t want to think about it now, but as with all things, life goes on.
Suddenly Alone On New Year’s Eve:
There are plenty of ways to celebrate the occasion alone, whether it’s of your own accord or otherwise.
The way I look at holidays is that you should do what you want. Not twist yourself into a pretzel to please someone else.
I remember when my girls were little we always had to do things my mother-in-law’s way. It was somewhat formal and I hated it.
But she’d been doing things her way for a long time, I kept telling myself. And that’s what my husband chose to do.
I remember thinking: I sure would do things differently if I had any say in the matter. But my girls were young and I didn’t want any tension.
So now I do everything my own way. In ways that make me feel special.
I learned that you shouldn’t ever wait around for someone else to make things special for you.
So let’s make this be the Near Year’s Eve you wish to have.
Plan A Nice Dinner For Yourself:
You need to plan a nice dinner for New Year’s Eve.
How about your favorite take-out? Chinese food? Pizza?
If you like to cook, then by all means do that.
Keep telling yourself, “It’s my celebration. And because I am a remarkable person, my meal needs to be special.”
No one knows your likes and dislikes more than you do.
You could decide to go with a tray of appetizers. And there would probably be leftovers.
Therefore you could nibble on it all day and eat it again the following day! (I don’t know about you, but I love leftovers.)
You might think about purchasing an appetizer tray already put together and ready to buy. It would be a treat for the most important person in your life: YOU.
Because you’re worth it.
Keep telling yourself that. Not just once, but all year long.
But whatever you do, don’t you dare go digging through the freezer for a bland TV dinner!
Clean your home up a bit and make it comfy. This may seem silly because you’re the only person who’s going to be there to see it.
But that’s precisely why you should do it. Because you deserve nice things.
Bring out the good china and your prettiest cloth napkins.
Light Candles For Ambiance:
Candles are perfect for a special occasion. Or any occasion. You could dine by candlelight.
Maybe it’s time to treat yourself to a new candle for New Year’s Eve.
Buy A Journal To Jot Down Your Thoughts:
This is a great time to buy a new journal.
You could write down ideas you’ve been pondering for the new year. Put all those stray thoughts into one place.
Make decisions about your life and your living space for the new year.
Maybe you want to get a new couch. Or new cushion covers for your couch pillows. But get something you can enjoy every day.
Or maybe it’s a vacation. If so, the days are fleeting. So plan to take plenty of photos to make them memorable.
If you struggle with stress or anxiety, keeping a journal can help you feel more in control of your emotions.
Plan To Watch A Movie Or Stream A New TV Series:
Is there a movie you’ve been wanting to watch? New Year’s Eve is a perfect time to curl up on the couch and watch a movie.
Make yourself a bowl of popcorn. Have a glass of wine or a cup of hot chocolate.
Or maybe you’d rather start that new book laying on your nightstand. I always look forward to starting a new book.
Repeat after me: I will enjoy myself having a New Year’s Eve alone. I will plan a very special day just for me.
If you live alone, you need to plan your own good times.
Consider Buying Yourself A Special Gift:
- A new pair of pajamas or a robe
- New books to read (Here is a She Reads list of best fiction for 2022)
- A new vase to put a bouquet of flowers in
- An elegant candle to enjoy
- A box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates
Yesterday, I actually ordered myself a box of chocolates. A small gift box of assorted chocolate truffles.
If there’s one thing you need to tell yourself as you begin a new year, it is this: Treat yourself to nice things. Don’t wait around for someone else to do it.
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Brenda, I love this post. It is so positive and inspiring! I have a friend who recently lost her husband. Her grief is too raw right now, but my wish for her is that by next year, she’ll be able to take even just one bit of advice out of this post.
Happy New Year Brenda! I look forward to spending it with you. You are going to have so much fun setting your new home in order. See you on the blog.
And I look forward to having you here!
This is a great post. We rarely eat pizza and I was tired of eating leftovers..so we indulged in a takeout pizza and wings tonight..it takes so good. My philosophy is get all the good/bad eating in before the New Year and then try to do better..lol (sounds familiar….I say it every year and rarely stick to it). I am married but I sure do value my “me” time..and always like my company…lol .but I am quite sure being alone alot could get one down at times. I love your ideas you presented…and I agree..we all deserve to live a nice life…and I tell myself that alot..as I was a hardworker for a lifetime..worked hard..and now we should play hard, too. :0) … I hope you have a delightful and peaceful New Years Eve and day. Its really not that safe to be out anymore after dark..we plan to dine with friends but will be home prob wayyyyyyy before the Cinderella strike. Happy 2022..and may it be better for our World.
Maybe once a year I am out after dark. And that’s because I went to my daughter’s house. It’s very rare for me.
Lots of good ideas Brenda…thanks for sharing them.
You’re very welcome!
Hi Brenda,
I’ve spent New Years alone since my husband died. He will be gone 15 years on December 30th. Still feels like yesterday. We had started dressing up and going out for a nice early dinner so by the time we were finished and leaving, the party revelers were just starting. We’d go home and watch some of the count down shows and wait for the ball to drop. It’s a bitter sweet time of year for me, but I get through it. I’ve done a few of your good suggestions in the past. New, cozy warm PJ’s, a good dinner and a good movie snuggled up with Simon (cat) sounds good for ringing in 2022. Happy New Years to you and your readers and wishing you all good health, happiness and prosperity in the new year. Margie
Still, you miss him and grieve. You must have had a wonderful loving marriage. Happy New Years!
Hi Brenda 👋
Being alone is fine for me. Or celebrating with my sister. I/we enjoy it. Food can be anything. Years ago,, we often had Chinese eats. Not sure for this NYE. It’s also a very early 😴 night.🌙 At my age I need to relax!! Not worrying about other things. Watching TV shows can be highly entertaining!!!
When we were young, going to parties was great. Not necessary any more. For the younger generations fine. With Omicron everywhere now, people should be careful, protecting themselves. Getting this infection or any covid is not a good thing. I hope everyone ❤ has a safe and enjoyable New Year!
Let’s welcome 2022!!! 😊
P. S. Lots of great ideas and advice you posted Brenda!!!
I haven’t stayed up to midnight in a very long time. I’m early to bed, early to rise.
A great post with excellent ideas for treating oneself like a special person. It’s good to be reminded of things we can do to remind ourselves that we are deserving of good or special things. Thnaks for the reminder, Brenda. And Happy New Year!
Some women think you have to wait for a man to do nice things for them. I say that’s baloney. Give yourself nice things.
Good advice, we all are special and deserve to do what makes us happy. Due to a flood in the kitchen last summer, we redid everything. I was happy and content even with us not being able to get our first pick on many items. I have found that people who are easy going and content seem to count their blessings and are happier. Have a great week everyone.
It’s that good old half-glassful mentality.
I lost my husband of 37 years in July, so this will be my first New Year’s alone. I managed through Christmas and will do the same this coming weekend. Our traditional meal for Christmas Eve was always a lobster dinner, so that’s what I prepared just for myself. My hubby wore a pair of buffalo plaid/grinch pajama bottoms over the holidays, so I cinched those up around my waist and paired them with a long sleeved red T-shirt. Our tradition for New Year’s Eve was to stay home and enjoy a meal of coconut shrimp and watch a movie. I’ll be doing that same thing. I decorated my house, sent out Christmas cards of our dog wearing New Years garb, spent Christmas Eve alone (my choice) and Christmas Day with my son and daughter-in-law. I have no plans to go anywhere or do anything over New Years weekend. That’s Ok with me. It’s sad and different and miserable at times, but it’s my new normal like it or not. I try to remember the good times (there were lots) in order to feel happiness along with the grieving process. It doesn’t always equalize but I’m trying not to get sucked into a vortex of 24/7 misery. He wouldn’t want that for me, but still, it’s hard.
I’m so sorry for your loss. You’re very brave and tackling this your own way with strength. I admire you.
I am going to make a cheeseball and get some fancy crackers and enjoy it with a glass of wine. I always stay home on New Year’s Eve because people in the neighborhood set off fireworks which frightens my animals.
That sounds good! A funny story: My oldest daughter, Kendra, always makes this one recipe for a cheeseball and takes it to Kasi’s, my youngest daughters’ She did the same at Thanksgiving. Someone knocked it off the counter and the dog ran off with it, they said.
OHHHH ,,,,,, soooo phunny Brenda!!!
Hope 🐶 pup didn’t get sick though.
I had lunch with Kasi today. She didn’t say anything about Coco being sick. Coco’s just over a year old.
Brenda, I’ve spent many New Years and other holidays alone, and like you, I love it. I’ve been known to order something for myself from Amazon and pay for it to be gift wrapped before they send it. It’s still fun to open!
I love that idea to have it gift-wrapped! I’ve never thought of that.