11 At-Home New Year's Eve Date Ideas To Start The Year Strong

A game night is guaranteed to be a blast, especially if you go for the extra funny ones, "like Cards Against Humanity or Fibbage," Erika Kaplan, a matchmaker at Three Day Rule, tells Bustle. And even more so if you put on music and/or mix a few drinks.

That's it. That's the date. Pick out a few new positions — or toys — and spend the night getting busy.

“Not only are you adding some spice to your sex life, but you’re setting up for a night of feeling close and connected,” Rhonda Milrad, LCSW, a relationship expert and founder of Relationup, tells Bustle.

If you suspect you'll miss dining out this year, recreate the restaurant experience at home. Buy cheese, fruit, and nuts to make a cheese board, or gather a few special ingredients to recreate a favorite dish. And just like that, you'll have yourselves an evening.

Feel connected to everyone around the globe by tracking the countdowns happening in other countries. To make it extra date-worthy, bring in traditional drinks or snacks from different regions to sample as their clocks strike midnight.

If you aren't feeling particularly energized, opt for a movie night. Pick a theme, or just see whatever's new on Netflix, and hang out on the couch. Before you know it, it'll be 2021.

For another super cozy, and perfectly lazy date night idea, dating coach Lisa Concepcion suggests ordering take-out from a favorite restaurant. Just make sure you call ahead early, since lots of other people will probably be doing the same thing.

If you're missing your friends — and really, who isn't? — then host a New Year's Eve party via Zoom. Have everyone sign on a few hours before midnight to "mingle," talk, and dance. Then tune into the Time's Square Ball drop and count down together.

This time of year is perfect for reflection, so if the mood strikes, sit down and talk about your relationship goals.

You might agree to work on communicating better or arguing more fairly, or simply that you need to spend more time together.Whatever it is, write it on a piece of paper and tape it somewhere prominent.

For a different twist, come up with a bucket list, or fun things you'd like to try as a couple in 2021. Do you want to go on a hike? Start a band? Road trip around the PNW? Scribble it all down and agree to check as many things off the list as possible.

Think about the place you'd most like to go — and all the elements involved — and use that as inspiration for a staycation at home.

For example, if you wish you were in a cabin in the mountains, open the windows for a blast of cold air, brew hot chocolate, and make s'mores in the microwave. Turn the lights down low — heck, you could even find that fireplace video on Netflix — and snuggle under a blanket.

Eva Carey, a message therapy director, suggests doing a couples message as a romantic way to ring in the new year. "Not only does a massage boost your mood and ease aches and pains, a couples massage is a great bonding experience," she says.

You could also mix up face masks in the kitchen, paint each other's nails, or — if you're really feelin' it — take a bath together. Whatever fits the mood.

Even though you aren't going out, you can still have all of the boozy fun of New Year's Eve at home. All you need to do is stock up on different alcohols, mixers, and garnishes, and then pull up a few drink recipes.

Go for a fresh mezcalita, Moscow mule, or pomegranate martini. Or experiment with the many non-alcoholic options.

Just make sure you save the bubbly stuff for midnight.