MADISON, WI (SPECTRUM NEWS) — Instead of going out to a full bar or a packed dance floor this year, a lot of people will opt for virtual parties.

“Thinking about ways to make a virtual space fun and social rather than the workplace that we're kind of used to it being these days,” said Jennimai Nguyen, who wrote an article on Mashable with suggestions for virtual parties. 

When it comes to getting parties off the ground, Nguyen said it's best to stick with what you know.

“I would say start with something you're familiar with,” she said. “So if you are working in a virtual space and you use zoom for work a lot, start with zoom, if you use google hangouts a lot start with google hangouts.”

After you decide how you'll virtually hang out, start thinking of activities. Nguyen suggested online games for one.

“Online games are everywhere obviously, way before the pandemic,” Nguyen said. “So I feel like people are getting used to them, exploring different versions that they may not have before.”

Or the host can come up with the games.

“Another activity that I suggested that I personally really love is hosting a murder mystery dinner,” Nguyen said.

If drinking is usually central to your new years celebration, a lot of those drinking games work just as well on a video call.

“It's definitely doable,” Nguyen said. “Some of your classics like never have I ever, it can be a normal game, it can be a drinking game, you just have to talk to your friends.”

At the end of the day Nguyen said this New Years party can be a lot less stressful than coordinating where a group will go and how.

“I feel like going out and having a big new years eve event can sometimes feel like a stressful thing,” Nguyen said. “Because you need to coordinate everyone's schedules, you need to figure out where you're going, you need to figure out dinner and all these things, but everyone's home, everyone's in one place, so if it doesn't start right on time you'll be fine.”

So this new years does have its perks.

“Ideally take it slow,” Nguyen said. “Do whatever you need, your friends and family will be more than happy to spend time with you no matter what it is.”