Unique ways to spend New Years?

Besides partying or staying home, how else do you Spend New Years? Ideas, anyone?

I don't know, you either stay home or go out

Well, im not a drinker and if I stay home, Im alone and theres no cable so I wont be watching the ball drop...

Isnt there something else to do?

I have a friend that volunteers at homeless shelters for NYE every year with her kids.

Pretty much everything I've ever done falls under the two categories you have. I've gone to many concerts over the last few years for NYE. It was basically like going to a regular show except some folks were dressed up (me included). Saw Naked Raygun a couple years back (pretty big band in the punk rock scene, especially Chicago). We actually missed midnight because all of a sudden, the drummer told us it was after midnight, so Happy New Year! That was also the year of what we called the "Naked Raygun flu" because half of us got a pretty gnarly flu after that show. I referred to it as the plague, lol.

KittyCort said:

Well, im not a drinker and if I stay home, Im alone and theres no cable so I wont be watching the ball drop...

Isnt there something else to do?

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I know LOTS of people that don't drink that still go out to shows. NYE and otherwise.

Our city does a "First Night" celebration.  It's an event with music, food, and art--family friendly, alcohol-free.  Maybe your community has some kind of an event like that?

Now that sounds more like something for me. Im a big festival junkie.

I dont know of anything like that here but Im going to look around.

KittyCort said:

Now that sounds more like something for me. Im a big festival junkie.

I dont know of anything like that here but Im going to look around.

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Are you in KY? I saw your other thread so just assuming. I'm sure there is something going on, although it may not exactly be where you are at. I know everything going on in my area is in the city, about a half hour drive away. Usually it's worth it. Still debating this year though.

I doubt Chicago will have any festivals that night. It's gonna be pretty dang cold out, at least compared to the unseasonable weather we've had lately. Until today anyway, lol.

Im in Louisville, yes.

Most of the events Im familiar with during NYE are big parties- and big bucks for some. They used to have a family-friendly dance but not this year. Its a bit disappointing because were known for having great family-friendly festivals...just not for NYE, it seems. Im still looking though!

Its been warm here too...the weather is changing back to "normal" this week though. The 60- 70 degree December temps were really great!

KittyCort said:

Besides partying or staying home, how else do you Spend New Years? Ideas, anyone?

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I'm considering going to a late movie. Quentin Tarantino's new movie The Hateful Eight will be playing. I love QT. A trip to Dollar Tree for candy and snacks first and I have a coupon that I got from Marlboro for a free movie ticket. I can have a nice time for just a few dollars. 

Then go home and cuddle with the furkids. 

Good idea...a late movie. "The Big Short" looks interesting, imo. I happen to live 5mins from a small theater too so no worrying about drunk drivers.

Hubby and I and I have reservations at 8pm at our favorite restaurant.  After dinner we will probably just hang out at home and watch a movie.  I am not sure if I will even still be awake at midnight since I have to work in the morning on New Year's Day.

We will have a meal that includes Black Eyed Peas of course with cornbread. It is a tradition in the south to eat them for prosperity on New Year's Day.

blueyedgirl5946 said:

We will have a meal that includes Black Eyed Peas of course with cornbread. It is a tradition in the south to eat them for prosperity on New Year's Day.

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When I lived in Spain, I learned the tradition of eating grapes at midnight:

New Year's revelers in Spain consume twelve grapes at midnight—one grape for each stroke of the clock. This dates back to 1909, when grape growers in the Alicante region of Spain initiated the practice to take care of a grape surplus. The idea stuck, spreading to Portugal as well as former Spanish and Portuguese colonies such as Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru. Each grape represents a different month, so if for instance the third grape is a bit sour, March might be a rocky month. For most, the goal is to swallow all the grapes before the last stroke of midnight, but Peruvians insist on taking in a 13th grape for good measure.  (http://www.epicurious.com/archive/holidays/newyearsday/luckyfoods)  

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I also picked up the tradition of eating lentils (they look like coins) for prosperity for the new year.  

I've had a tradition for many years that I do every NYE. I get out my checkbook and fill in the year (2016) so I don't inadvertently fill in the wrong date. I hate having to void a check or have my electric bill returned because it's incorrectly dated! It saves a lot of time and frustration!

As far as going out - I never was much for going anywhere on NYE because I don't drink, I don't like crowds, and I detest driving when there are hoards of lunatics and drunks out on the roads. There have been times when I hosted small gatherings at my home for a late dinner and/or hor d'oeuvres, interactive games like Balderdash, Pictionary, or Trivial Pursuit, a midnight toast, and then just hanging out talking until it dwindled down and people went home.

My plan for this year was to stay home with the Boys and watch a few movies, snack on cheese, crackers and grapes and call it a night, but talking to my sister last night while at the Vet's office I learned she will be off work. She asked if I wanted to come over, but she will be coming to my place instead since Keeker is still on the mend. Nothing different though - we still plan on the cheese, crackers and grapes while watching some movies, and she will spend the night. I'm thinking I will make a pot of Papa's Chili (something we both grew up on and absolutely LOVE!). 

The Boys know her well, so there won't be the stress factor that Christmas weekend presented for Keeker, and she and I always have fun when we hang out. We might play some Scrabble or Yahtzee and bring in the New Year with a toast of Sparling White wine!  

 Not Unique but front row seat  

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              Great for people watching      HAPPY NEW YEARS   EVERYONE !!            

I'm a boring person.  I usually head up to bed around 9:30.  Play with the cats for a while, read my book, play with the cats some more, read some more and hopefully sleep.  Fluffy insists on playing when I go up to bed.  It doesn't matter if it's 9ish or 2 am.  She will have her playtime!  Eclipse has joined in the fun, so now I have 2 cats to play with before bed.   I'm sure someone will come up to tell me the ball dropped. 

betsygee said:

 
I also picked up the tradition of eating lentils (they look like coins) for prosperity for the new year.  

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I'm having lentils for lunch today.  Wonder if that will mean prosperity for me next year?

rubysmama said:

 

betsygee said:

 
I also picked up the tradition of eating lentils (they look like coins) for prosperity for the new year.  

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I'm having lentils for lunch today.  Wonder if that will mean prosperity for me next year?

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Absolutely!!                 

I love lentils!

I decided to spend my New Years...antiquing...then planning on watching some Walking Dead in my pjs along with some coconut chocolate chip cookie dough. Sounds about perfect.