I know that many of us are very excited to see 2020 end. But we won’t be able to welcome 2021 in the usual way. Crowds of people in Times Square or packed into bars for hours are exactly what we should not be doing this year.

Instead, think of festive things you can do at home:

• Have a family movie night, complete with fresh popcorn and other yummy snacks.
• Build a fire, toast marshmallows, and camp in the living room/family room.
• Prepare a meal consisting of every family member’s favorite food.
• Prepare an elegant, multi-course meal with cocktails and wine. Get dressed up and serve it on your best china with the good silver. Take your time so that you are ready for dessert and champagne at midnight.

I’ll be doing the last option. It’s been my practice for the last several years. I don’t cook everything from scratch. I don’t want to spend the whole day in the kitchen and the whole night cleaning up. I pick up some pre-made things (usually dessert and a salad), plan some things I can make ahead (like soup), and keep appetizers simple, like a charcuterie platter. Then I can focus on the main course. I always feel elegant welcoming the new year with such a lovely meal.