Can you believe it’s already mid-December and New Year’s Eve is only weeks away? 2017 has been a wonderful year of growth and changes and I’m looking forward to ringing in the New Year with style, cheer and a little romance.
If you’re traveling over the holidays, you’re likely to have plans to celebrate the countdown to midnight at a chic venue or cozy restaurant, but if you’re planning to celebrate at home there are plenty of ways to make this a night to remember. I’ve actually come to prefer staying in and welcoming the New Year in a more intimate way. They say the way you spend New Year’s Eve is the way you’ll spend the rest of the year so why not take this time to embrace the love and connection you have with your partner and make for a very special 2018?
1. Create A Romantic Mood
Set the tone for the evening with a beautiful tablescape including your finest China plates, an elegant tablecloth, linen napkins and nice silverware. Flowers are a must and what could be more romantic than a composition of roses? I’m always traveling so convenience is key and my go-to is a beautiful flower box from Plaisir Cadeaux et Fleurs in Dubai. You can order a lovely centerpiece with a mix of flowers, including roses, and add some candles on the table to create warmth. Complete the table with petals strewn over the tablecloth (and save some for the bedroom!).
2. Add A Bit Of Music
Create a special playlist of your favorite songs to create a warm and cheerful mood to last from the appetizers to the midnight cheers. Be sure to keep the TV off so you can really enjoy this special evening bonding with your partner without other distractions. A romantic dinner, especially on the last day of the year, is a wonderful time to share your dreams and wishes with your partner, as well as the reasons you are grateful for each other. Consider writing down your plans for 2018 so you can start off the New Year on a nice note.
3. Dress Up
Even if you stay in, you should make the effort to dress up for each other – getting glam always heightens the mood and adds to the romantic ambiance. For ladies, pick out special lingerie and be sure to wear something red: it brings good luck for the New Year and we are so in love with La Perla! Feel free to be playful and add sensual touches like wearing masks (I love the look of Venetian eye masks).
4. Prepare A Festive Menu
New Year’s Eve is a celebration so treat it like one! The process of preparing a dish, nourishing your body with satisfying ingredients and enjoying a meal in good company is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself – and for others. Create a menu that feels festive and is filled with delicious aphrodisiac foods like a tray oysters served on ice, prosciutto-wrapped figs with goat’s cheese, a warm arugula salad with pomegranate, and for dessert – try these festive Spiced Cupcakes with Citrus Glaze.
5. Cheers With Champagne
Bubbles are a must for the midnight brindisi but can be a great accompaniment to your entire meal. Moët & Chandon’s holiday edition Moët Impérial Golden Sparkle is a beautiful bottle to pop in time for midnight but for something a little different, try Ruinart’s Rosé Champagne with a gorgeous peachy rose petal color and pomegranate undertones. And for something a little more classic, you can’t go wrong with a vintage Dom Pérignon.
Enjoy Yourself
Once it’s past midnight, the night is yours! Go enjoy yourself and celebrate the abundance of love that awaits you in 2018.
Enjoy,
