A New Year, Celebrated at Home
New Year doesn’t always call for noise or spectacle. Some years, the most meaningful way to welcome it is at home, in familiar spaces with the people you love most.
There’s something rather comforting about celebrating the turn of the year without rushing out of the door. A softly lit house, the remains of Christmas still in place, and the sense that the pace of life hasn’t quite gathered speed again. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and enjoy where you are before looking ahead.
I’ve always felt that homes come into their own at this time of year. The decorations feel comforting rather than new, the lighting softer, the rooms lived in and relaxed. It’s not about perfection, but about ease - chairs pulled closer together, candles lit simply and food that feels thoughtful without being demanding.
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A Simple Canapé for New Year’s Eve
For evenings like this, I love something that can be prepared without fuss and enjoyed slowly. This canapé from our good friends at Feasting by the Barn is just that - familiar flavours, beautifully balanced, and perfect for sharing as the evening unfolds.
Yorkshire Blue, Pear & Caramelised Walnut Bruschetta
Ingredients
Bake-at-home sourdough baguette
Yorkshire blue cheese
Pears
Walnuts
Lemon
Honey
Method
Slice the baguette and brush lightly with oil.
Bake at 170°C for around 10 minutes, until lightly golden and crisp.
Place the walnuts on a baking tray, drizzle with honey and bake for 5–10 minutes, keeping a close eye so they don’t catch.
Once golden, tip onto baking paper and separate with a spoon.
Crumble the blue cheese over the warm bruschetta.
Slice the pear finely, drizzle with a little lemon juice to prevent browning, and layer over the cheese.
Chop the walnuts and sprinkle over the top.
It’s the sort of bite that feels a little indulgent - perfect with a glass of something celebratory, or enjoyed simply by the fire as the clock edges towards midnight.
Looking Ahead
New Year often arrives with pressure - resolutions, plans, promises to do more. I prefer to see it as a soft opening rather than a grand beginning. A chance to take stock, to notice what works well at home, and to think about how our spaces might support us better in the months ahead.
Sometimes that reflection leads nowhere at all, and that’s perfectly fine. Other times, ideas begin to form - a room that no longer quite fits, a house that could flow more easily, or a desire for spaces that feel calmer and more considered.
For now, though, I hope you’re able to enjoy this in-between moment. A relaxed celebration, a well-set table, and a home that feels exactly as it should - welcoming, familiar and ready for whatever the new year brings.