It’s almost here! 11 ways to usher-in a fun-filled New Year

by Aprille Ross

Spectators watch as fireworks light the Quezon Memorial Circle in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Tuesday Jan. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

——————————————–

Read more in All Women Stalk

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail