11 Ways to Bring in the New Year ...

By Aprille5 Comments

11 Ways to Bring in the New Year ...

With so many great ways to bring in the New Year, ringing it in should be fun! I think of it as a way to bid adieu to the past year and start with a clean slate. I like to make sure friends and family have a good time as well. Laughter filling the house is always a good thing. Here are 11 ways to bring in the New Year that might be new to you. If you have some fun ideas to add, feel free to share them as well!

1 Enjoy the Company of Friends

I always have fun hanging out with friends; it's one of the most classic ways to bring in the New Year, so it always goes over well. We reminisce about old times and our kids tend to get a big kick out of some of the things we talk about too. Hanging out and doing a New Year’s dinner party is one option. It could also be helpful to brainstorm and get some ideas for what your friends might like to do.

***

One great way to bring in the New Year is to enjoy the company of friends. Whether it's a dinner party or a night out, spending time with friends is a classic way to ring in the new year. It's a great time to reminisce about old times and share stories with the kids. If you're stuck for ideas, consider hosting a themed dinner party, playing a board game, or going out for a night on the town. No matter what you choose to do, spending time with friends is sure to be a great way to start the new year.

Frequently asked questions

2 Host a Themed Party

This doesn't have to be as crazy as a masquerade party at Halloween, but it might be as entertaining! Maybe the theme could be your favorite decade, such as the '20s and everyone has to dress like flappers, even the guys. How about dressing up like a favorite storybook character? The options are basically unlimited. It could be quite the night to remember!

***

Hosting a themed party to bring in the New Year is a great way to make the night memorable. It doesn't have to be over the top, like a masquerade party. Instead, consider a theme like your favorite decade, such as the '20s or a storybook character. Encourage guests to dress up and make it a night to remember. You can even add decorations and music to match the theme. With the right planning, your themed New Year's Eve party will be a hit!

3 Observe Traditional Celebrations

For instance, the Babylonians celebrated the New Year for eleven days. Each day had a different festivity going on, which probably made for plenty of excitement. The Dutch think it is lucky to eat donuts on New Year’s Day. This is because a ring symbolizes that something has come full circle, which is lucky.

***

In some cultures, the New Year is celebrated with a large feast. In Japan, a traditional dish called Ozoni is served to mark the start of the new year. It is usually made with mochi, a type of rice cake, in a soup or stew. In Mexico, the tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve is practiced. Each grape is eaten at the stroke of midnight and is said to bring luck for the upcoming year. In the Philippines, people also celebrate the New Year by setting off fireworks and wearing polka-dotted clothing. This is said to bring good fortune in the coming year.

4 Hold a Celebration Similar to One Seen in Another Country

Choose a country and observe their New Year’s customs. Cook native dishes found in this country, try to dress as close as possible in garments worn in this same country, and carry out the festivities the way a native of your chosen country would do. This might take a bit of research to see which country you want to use for your festive celebration, but I think it would be tons of fun.

***

This idea is a great way to bring in the New Year with a unique twist. Celebrating the New Year in another country’s style can be a fun and meaningful experience. There are many different countries to choose from, each with their own unique customs and traditions. For example, in Japan, New Year’s is celebrated with the ringing of bells at shrines and temples, and the eating of traditional dishes such as osechi-ryori. In Mexico, families gather around the dinner table to eat a traditional twelve-grape dish. In the United States, the celebration is marked by the dropping of a large ball in Times Square. No matter which country you choose, you’ll be sure to have a memorable New Year’s celebration.

5 Revamp a Tired Wardrobe

On a more personal note, deciding to go through your current selection of clothing might be fun too. I have things in my closet that I haven’t worn for close to 6 years. I once heard that if a piece of clothing isn’t worn for a certain length of time, it should be gotten rid of. I guess it’s time for me to revamp my wardrobe! This just might be my method of bringing in the New Year. No one ever said that ‘Ring out the old, Bring in the new’ didn’t have anything to do with clothing. The start of the year would be a great time to change clothing styles.

***

Revamping a tired wardrobe is a great way to bring in the New Year. It is a fun way to freshen up your style and show off your new look. It is also a great way to clear out any old clothes that have not been worn in a while. Many people suggest getting rid of clothes that have not been worn in 6 months or more. This is a great way to start the New Year with a wardrobe that is up-to-date and stylish. With a fresh wardrobe, you can start the New Year feeling confident and ready to take on whatever comes your way!

6 Take a Skiing Trip

I have friends who head to Colorado for the New Year to get in some skiing together. This could be loads of fun if you are an avid skier. I’m not very big on skiing, even though it looks like an exhilarating sport. I think I’d rather have a sledding party. The hills aren't usually nearly as steep as those used for skiing and I can bail off of a sled if I have to!

***

One of the best ways to bring in the new year is to take a skiing trip with friends. Colorado is a popular skiing destination, and offers a variety of slopes for all levels of skiers. Skiing is an exciting and thrilling sport, but if you're not a fan, you can opt for a sledding party instead. Sledding hills are generally less steep than skiing slopes, and you can always bail off the sled if needed. Make sure to bring the appropriate gear for the wintery weather, including a warm coat, hat, gloves, and boots.

7 Form a New Family Tradition

There’s no New Year’s rule that states one type of celebration is better than another, so what about forming your own New Year’s tradition? When I was a kid, my mom, sisters and I would all stay awake to watch the ball drop, then go outside to bang pots and pans. Once we moved to the country, the sound of the pots and pans was accompanied by a string of fireworks being set off as well. This ruckus would inevitably wake my father up, who then wanted to open his birthday presents since it was technically his birthday by then.

***

This new family tradition is a great way to bring in the New Year. It is a fun and meaningful way to start the year off right. This tradition can be adapted to fit any family’s needs. If your family is small, you can still make a lot of noise with pots and pans. If you live in the city, you can use noisemakers and horns instead. If you live in the country, you can add fireworks to the mix. This tradition is also a great way to make the most of a birthday that falls on New Year’s Day, as it gives the birthday person a special way to celebrate their special day.

8 Go out

While staying in can be a lot of fun, never underestimate the fun you can have going out on New Year’s Eve. Get your best friends together and head out for a fun night! Of course it will be crowded and maybe a little crazy, but just remember that it’s only one night a year. This doesn’t have to be something you do every year, but make sure you spend one New Year’s Eve out and about in the nearest city!

***

Going out on New Year's Eve is a great way to celebrate the start of a new year. It's a great way to spend time with friends and make lasting memories. Make sure to plan ahead and make reservations if needed. It's important to stay safe while out and about, so make sure to designate a sober driver, take public transportation or call a rideshare service. Don't forget to dress for the occasion and be sure to take pictures to remember the night. Have fun and bring in the new year in style!

9 New Year Predictions

Get a bowl and pieces of paper to make down your predictions for the new year. Throughout the night have your friends and/or family write down predictions and put them in the bowl. Before midnight gather around and have everyone pick out pieces of paper and read what others think will happen next year. It will be a lot of fun to see what people hope happens in their lives or in the world as a whole.

***

This fun activity is a great way to bring in the New Year with family and friends. All you need is a bowl and pieces of paper for everyone to write down predictions. Have everyone write down what they think will happen in the upcoming year, whether it be personal or global. Before midnight, gather around and have everyone pick out a piece of paper and read out what others have predicted. This activity can be a lot of fun and a great way to start the New Year with positivity and hope.

10 Crazy Moments Bowl

Much like the New Year predictions bowl, write down the craziest or best moments of the year on pieces of paper. A few minutes before midnight start reading them out loud as a last shoutout to the year. These moments can be ones in your personal lives, the world, or the media. It will be a fun way to remember everything that has happened and prepare yourselves for the craziness to come.

***

The Crazy Moments Bowl is a unique way to bring in the New Year. It's a fun activity for family and friends to reflect on the past year and celebrate the moments that made it special. To prepare, write down the craziest or best moments of the year on pieces of paper. These moments can be from your personal life, the world, or the media. A few minutes before midnight, start reading them out loud as a last shoutout to the year. It's a great way to remember everything that has happened and prepare for the new year.

11 Pajama Dance Party!

Who doesn’t love to hang out in their pjs?! While everyone is out doing something huge for New Year’s Eve, why don’t you and your friends, family, or significant other put on your pjs and blast your favorite songs from the past year? Make sure you have some champagne, wine, sparkling apple cider, or whatever you prefer to drink! Just dance the night away and forget all of your worries for a night.

These 11 ways to bring in the New Year are just a few choices to give you some ideas. There are plenty of unique ways to ring in the coming year and make fantastic memories while doing so. If you’re still at a loss for what to do, take a look around town to see what is being offered. The city is a great place to find festivities around every corner. What ways have you brought in the New Year with friends and family?

This article was written in collaboration with editor Lydia Sheehan.

Show 5 Comments

Popular now

Recent