As we wind down for the year, we might want to spend some quiet, quality time with our loved ones. And, far from the madding crowds that could possibly be thronging every mall you go during the holiday period.
But at the same time, you also do want to celebrate the New Year with your fam. The question here is; how do you go about doing so while staying put in your quiet place (a.k.a home)?
Don’t need to stress, we’ve got some fun and kid-friendly solutions below for a casual, cosy party indoors. And, do remember – the countdown may be one big occasion, but it’s the small moments with your loved ones that matter for how you end, start and also carry on through the year.
(If you do intend to head out with the mates for some revelry, read Part 1 of our “Countdown To 2022” series to see where the party’s at. And, look out for Part 3, where we put together the best things to do as a twosome to see out 2021.)
1. Cook Up A Fiesta
As the saying goes, a family that cooks together, stays together.
So, what better way to bond than to have everybody in the household pitch in to make the last dinner+supper+possible disaster of 2021? It’s bound to be boisterous, messy and a whole lot of fun.
But before you jump headfirst into your family cook-in, you need the right stuff. Get all your ingredients online from Maxzi.sg – The Good Food Shop. Powered by Singapore’s trusted food supplier Indoguna Singapore, you can find all you need for your family “feast-ival”. Think meat and seafood, to fruits and vegetables, and dairy goods.
Look up its “Ready To Cook” section for the Convenience Food, Ready To Eat, Marinated Range and Sous Vide/Cooked Range to keep things more manageable, or its “Flash Fiesta” section for flash and bundle deals if you wanna buy lots and save more. Extra tip: Read up on some of our easy festive recipes here to try if you’re rushed for time – you’re welcome.
BONUS: SAFRA members enjoy $15 off a minimum of $100 spend at Maxzi.sg. Click here for more information.
2. Catch The New Year’s Eve Fireworks From Your Window
First, the bad news: There will no fireworks for the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2022 celebrations (for crowd safety and social distancing reasons).
The good news? Like last year, there will be fireworks at several heartland locations instead! And the iffy news: details of exactly where aren’t released yet (so keep your eyes and ears open). For those who aren’t residing in those lucky neighbourhoods, well, you might not get the best views.
3. Watch Some Good Ole Telly
Here’s a tip for catching the abovementioned fireworks if you aren’t living near where they will be set off: watch some TV.
Do it the old fashion way by getting the whole family to sit in front of the small screen together to catch some scenes of these heartland-based fireworks in Mediacorp’s New Year’s Eve special, Let’s Celebrate 2022, that will be broadcasted on Channel 5 on Friday 31 December 2021, from 11pm onwards.
What else to expect in this entertainment programme: pop stars Kit Chan and Taufik Batisah performing at The Float @ Marina Bay; rapper Yung Raja doing his thing at the Canopy Bridge at Jewel Changi Airport; and Jasmine Sokko singing alongside dancers from dance academy O School at club 1880 Singapore.
More music artistes to look forward to: Iman Fandi, Aisyah Aziz, Nathan Hartono with DJ MYRNE and Linying with EDM producer Foxela. Plus, lots of fancy light display scenes such as that of the Shine a Light installation at The Promontory @ Marina Bay and a special 60-second countdown projection on the ArtScience Museum.
Watch Let’s Celebrate 2022 live on Channel 5, meWATCH and the Mediacorp Entertainment channel on YouTube on Friday 31 December 2021 at 11pm, with an encore telecast on Channel 5 on Saturday 1 January 2022 at 5.50 pm.
4. Roll Some Dice
Staying home for the year-end and New Year’s Day is a great time to catch up with loved ones, reminisce about 2021 and share your hopes for a better 2022.
But, when the going gets boring, the bored should play board games. For a real shot of nostalgia – it’s also a great way to get your kids and everyone else off their digital doodads – board games are your go-to to get everyone “up and at ‘em” and join in on some old-school entertainment.
Plus, there are so many family-friendly ones to choose from. Monopoly, Jenga, Bingo, and even a classic game of chess – all a little brainy, and all guaranteed to provide hours of fun into the New Year and beyond. Look up Kidmoro to get all of these board games and more.
https://kidmoro.com, www.facebook.com/kidmorosingapore, www.instagram.com/kidmorosingapore
BONUS: SAFRA members enjoy 10% off total online purchase and free delivery with a minimum spend of $50 at Kidmoro. Click here for more information.
5. Make Your Own Party
We mean, literally, making your own party. Since you will be staying home to sweep out 2021 and welcome in 2022, might as well create a jovial atmosphere by decorating your nest with all things cheery, glittery and shiny.
And also, out of stuff that’s old, unused or to be thrown away. Don’t buy new and go eco-conscious. Cue the recycling lesson for the kids here: Get the young ones to forage through the home for unwanted toys, old books and magazines, and any kinds of disposable items that you think would make a good party item.
Some things you could craft: party hats made with magazine pages and glue; balloons out of plastic bags tied with rubber bands; upcycled thingamajigs-slash-decorative items transformed from spoilt toys; and party pennants with crayons or markers and construction paper.
And if you are skilled or adventurous enough, you can even attempt DIY party crackers. Just look up YouTube tutorials for how. It’s really the prefect celebratory occasion for going “out with the old” and getting in with “renewing” (and also, the sustainability practices of reducing, recycling and reusing).
