Looking for ideas. We usually go to friends house for a dinner, but they are redoing their kitchen this year, so not likely. A few years ago we went to see Chicago and then out to dinner, then out to a piano bar till all hours. That was fun. Don't want to sit home watching a DVD, so...what are you doing?

why?

Why what? Do I not want to sit at home and watch the latest Netflix delivery? Or why do I want ideas for NYE?

Where do you live? Are you into a big party scene or do you prefer a nice dinner... quieter?

I like fireworks. (If I can stay awake past 9 p.m., I light a sparkler.)

We go to a local restaurant.
We come home and talk and watch tv.
We exchange a New Years Gift
We talk to our children to wish them a Happy New Year..we try to stay awake til 12:00 then we go to bed
We are Sparkle like this every year and we love it.

Scarlett, what a nice idea to exchange a gift on New Years Eve

There are several used / out of print bookstores downtown that we like to browse through on NYE; we go out to eat then head home and watch a movie or two. Very low key when compared with our wonder years ;-)

You're so right, AnnMarie. I remember a time when I wouldn't even think about staying home or staying sober on NYE. But these days we usually go to a nice restaurant, either alone or with another couple. Once in a while we are invited to a NYE party, but even that is more low-key than the NYE parties I went to back in the day. I must admit, I enjoy waking up on New Year's morning with a clear head and feeling optimistic. This sure beats the "wonder years" when I always woke up on New Year's afternoon feeling sick and wishing the day would end.

Scarlett, if I am not being too nosey, I too think that is a very sweet custom. Are they small gifts? Jewelry? What kinds of gifts? Don't you just LOVE gifts?

Thanks for the ideas, ya'll. Yes, a nice dinner out is totally my spead for NYE, but since we live in a small town and there aren't that many choices, not sure if that is a good option. We usually go to friends, bc we are all in the same boat, but haven't heard of anyone initiating anything yet.

We usually have a small party. We invite the same people about 5 couples with their kids who range from 10-14 years old. It is low-key but fun and we don't have to drive!! This year we will be driving home from Nj visiting family on new years and we are still having our party. What else are we going to do??
Heavens: why don't you throw a party if your friends redoing her kitchen?

I'm with Sylvia. The 9pm/sparkler thing is more in keeping with my New Years Eve.

"I must admit, I enjoy waking up on New Year's morning with a clear head and feeling optimistic"

Well said, P_M! Exactly how we feel... though I'm glad for the, uh experience amp; , I don't miss those days at all!

Happy New Year!

Afer 22 or so years of going out together with a same group of about 10 or 12 (5 or 6 couples)- we stopped that and started to have house parties about 10 years ago.

Now that has simmered, I had the last one in 2004-2005 transition. But we just all went to a wedding together. SO- we are trying out a block neighbors, much more quiet drink and appetizers at home.

I bet I'm in bed by 12:30. We all cherish the getting up on the 1st with a clear head and some plans to go out, as well. We were just making jokes how the hotel parties etc. all seem hardly worth it now. I think we changed more than they did.

Have fun everybody but safe fun.

P_M, you put that so well..yes, it is so great waking up bright eyed and optimistic!

AnnMarie and Heavens
We (I) started this little tradition a few years ago . We never liked NYE celebrations that were big and noisy and crowded, so we have always done a small quiet celebration.
One year, I thought it would be fun to wait til midnight and exchange one gift. It did not have to be huge or spectacular, just a private, between the two of us, sort of gift.
Sometimes mine is jewelry, but it just depends..we will see what this year brings in our new home
Happy New Years~

Well, please let us know how it goes. I just think it is a sexy idea. Of course, all women LOVE presents, for any occasion.

Enjoy the evening, whatever you do. And please, DO NOT drink and drive. Happy 2006!!!

We have to go to a wedding this year.

Sigh.

I really wanted to go camping again instead.

However, I do get to meet Mr.&Mrs. Icee, Mr.&Mrs. Budman, and Beachdweller and someone else at the MB GTG on Friday!

Also, my Gamecocks play ball on Friday in the Independence Bowl! Go cocks!

The neighbor's sons do enough fireworks for the whole neighborhood, so if we want to watch, we get a free show!....like the one last night!

Ours will be quiet, as usual, but, if not sparkling, it may get sparky!

Belle

We will be in the WA mountains, but will head into the nearby town (Leavenworth) for dinner on New Year's. Then back to the cabin for champagne and games.

I hosted parties on both xmas eve and xmas day; so I'm looking forward to babysitting my one year old grandson on new years eve;
pj's and a dvd will be non sparkly and very welcome.....
If dh reads scarlett's post and gives me a tennis bracelet at midnight, I will faint.....

Heavens,

why don't you host your friends this year?
I always think it's fun spending NYE with a few friends (and even a few friends of friends that I might get to know this way).
If you are weary of cooking dinner for the whole group, why not opt for a Fondue?
We do this every year with friends - hardly anything to do for the hosts. You just provide people with some bites of meat which they prepare themselves in the Fondue (with broth it might be a bit lighter). Add some mushrooms for those vegetarians, if there are some. Buy a couple of dips (if you don't want to prepare the sauces yourself, the ones by Heinz are pretty good) and some nice bread - and you are all set. Oh, I forgot to tell you to buy some good red wine. As those Fondues usually last for long, wine consumption is usually up a bit from normal .
We then usually have some fireworks at midnight and might be tempted to go clubbing afterwards, but there are occasions that I remember fondly when we just stayed in the company of friends.