Happy New Year!

[Brdofpray]

As we approach New Year's Eve, I was wondering how everyone celebrates, if at all.

DW and I have always felt that this night is somewhat over rated. We usually stay home, wait for the ball to drop, then go to bed. This was always a chore in the Central time zone. The big ball would drop in New York, and we would have another hour to go. Now that we live in the Eastern time zone this particular problem has been solved.

Last year, we found some friends that didn't really celebrate either, so we invited them over, to not celebrate together. Simple soup dinner, good conversation, and scrabble. At twelve, we toasted (with Johnny Walker Blue) the new year, said goodnight, and went to bed. This year we will have a repeat performance.

I better start my bean soup. Again, happy and prosperous New Year to all!!

 

[Alan]

We no longer celebrate it, although if we were back in England we'd go stay with my sister in the NE where it is still a pretty big deal.

Happy New Year to everyone here.

 

[Sandhog]

DW and I have always felt that this night is somewhat over rated. We usually stay home, wait for the ball to drop, then go to bed. This was always a chore in the Central time zone. The big ball would drop in New York, and we would have another hour to go. Now that we live in the Eastern time zone this particular problem has been solved.

Last year, we found some friends that didn't really celebrate either, so we invited them over, to not celebrate together. Simple soup dinner, good conversation, and scrabble. At twelve, we toasted (with Johnny Walker Blue) the new year, said goodnight, and went to bed. This year we will have a repeat performance.

I better start my bean soup. Again, happy and prosperous New Year to all!!

I lived in NY for over 20 years and I only went to Time Square once to see the ball drop.

Since my latest divorce 6 years ago, I celebrate New Year by closing out year end paperwork and charts. I have exceeded my savings goal 4 out of 6 years. Also, print out year end 401K statement to see where I am with my goal to not work another day. In other word, I just stay in my tiny apartment and closeout 2012 and make new charts and start new folder (both computer and paper) for my retirement savings. I hope to retire before I'm 62 but may or may not happen depending on factors beyond my control. I have lots and lots of things that I want to do. First thing is to sleep when I want and wake up when I want.

 

[braumeister]

Last year, we found some friends that didn't really celebrate either, so we invited them over, to not celebrate together.

This is a great approach!
We would like to do the same, but all our close friends live just a little too far to be comfortable driving home after midnight, so we simply have a relaxing evening at home.

My one concession to the holiday is to have a very special bottle of beer to toast the occasion. This year we're looking forward to a magnificent French cider:
Cidre Dupont Reserve, 2003, matured four months in Calvados casks.

 

[Lsbcal]

We do something fun during the day. Today we're going out to brunch with DS and then to the beach for a beach walk. Might also do a light dinner out. Then come home and watch a DVD with some champagne. DS will be out with his buddies.

We won't stay up until midnight. Will get to bed early and be ready in the morning for a nice brisk run (and walk for DW).

 

[Meadbh]

No big celebrations here, but New Year's Eve was my parents' wedding anniversary. When they were both alive we did celebrate with family. I splurged for their 25th anniversary (when I was in college) and hosted a large group at a fancy restaurant. The gifts were mostly silver. Those were the days, before I was frugal!

Here's a toast to you, Mum and Dad!

 

[W2R]

Happy New Year!

I will stay home, as usual, to avoid the drunk drivers and such. Also, I don't drink so NYE parties can be awkward. I usually watch the fireworks on TV, and as usual there will be more than enough right here in the neighborhood all around me. I am excited to be alive to experience whatever fun and interesting possibilities 2013 has in store for us.

 

[FIREd]

We are jet lagged and tired of socializing after our holiday trip. So we will stay home, drink some bubbly, eat some good food, and go to bed shortly after midnight.

Happy new year, everyone!

 

[Dawg52]

I will have my med's in the safety of my home. Watch a few games on TV and surf the net. Exciting.

Happy New Year!

 

[azphx1972]

I will stay home, as usual, to avoid the drunk drivers and such. Also, I don't drink so NYE parties can be awkward. I usually watch the fireworks on TV, and as usual there will be more than enough right here in the neighborhood all around me. I am excited to be alive to experience whatever fun and interesting possibilities 2013 has in store for us.

Sounds like my typical new year's plans as well. Avoid the insanity!

 

[eytonxav]

No hats and noise makers for our household. LSU vs Clemson game starts at 6:30 and then DW has a DVD for us to watch. That coupled with a couple of glasses of wine and it will be off to sleep shortly after midnight.

Happy New Year to all of you!

 

[braumeister]

I almost forgot the big one.
On New Year's Day (not eve), you must have a piece of pickled herring.

My father's family came from northern Germany, where this is a very old tradition, and one I haven't broken in my life, except for the year I was in Vietnam. Besides, it's really tasty!

 

[Moemg]

We have several restaurants within a mile so we'll go to one for an early dinner and some drinks with friends .We will be safely home in plenty of time to see the ball drop.New Years day will be a football marathon for Gary & a make the new budget day for me .

 

[MBAustin]

We are normally homebodies but this year were invited for karaoke and Wii games with a few friends. Unfortunately, DH didn't sleep well last night so we had to cancel and will be homebodies again. I'll make some oyster chowder and we'll enjoy it with some bubbly. I'll probably watch some football and hope DH gets a good night's sleep.

Happy New Year everyone!

 

[Meadbh]

Happy New Year to all forum members!

 

[rbmrtn]

Si-fi channel has their annual twilight zone marathon on all day today if any fans here.

 

[HighRoller]

Si-fi channel has their annual twilight zone marathon on all day today if any fans here.

It's been raining here so it's been on all day except when I switch over to the market news on FOX a few times. (and since there's no pro football on TV today)

I suspect it will stay on all night and into next year since the wife likes Sy-Fy.

Happy New Year to all....

 

[Purron]

DH and I are staying home. I'm cooking up a batch of my navy bean ham soup. I'll serve it with salad, fresh baked bread, real butter and champagne! DH is getting the fireplace lit and we'll hang out together with our kitties and watch TV.

Happy New Year’s everyone!

 

[Lisa99]

We always stay home and play games, listen to Pandora and just enjoy the evening. Tonight is a little different though since DH has expresses an interest in learning to play bridge, so we're going through some bridge tutorial software together.

 

[Gumby]

I am just about to sit down to a nice rack of lamb, accompanied by a nice bottle of Cabernet. After dinner, we'll play a game of Scrabble. Tomorrow morning, we'll make our traditional bunch of butternut squash and smoked chicken hash with poached eggs, and fresh cranberry scones with honey-wlanut butter. Washed down with a bottle of Champagne. We've made the same brunch on New Years for 20 years.

 

[Nords]

Hawaii's Chinese culture at New Year's has always been an excuse for the pyromaniacs to go nuts (whether they have Chinese ancestry or not), but in the last few years the legislature has throttled back fireworks sales. People can still buy little stuff like poppers and Roman candles, but the big noisy firecrackers are supposed to be limited by permit fees.

The skies are clouding over, and it could be a rainy evening. Judging from the "testing" that we've seen so far this month, it looks like everyone's stash of illegal aerials has been just about used up. There'll probably be some final hurrahs but if it rains enough then it'll be less noisy than ever tonight. We'll still close all the windows but it looks like we might get away with a low-smoke evening.

Otherwise we'll stay hunkered down at home. Maybe we'll go surfing tomorrow, but south shore has been flat and North Shore is pushing 30 feet. We should probably rent some stand-up boards and paddle around for a while.

Our daughter headed out to hike Kokohead Crater this morning with a friend who's an ensign aboard one of the Pearl Harbor ships. Maybe they'll post an update on Facebook, but otherwise I don't think we'll hear from either of those ladies until Tuesday, possibly Wednesday...

 

[ohyes]

Happy New Year!

DH and i ate dinner out and had a few beers. Home now, watching the news. I won't make it till midnight as I must be up early (7:30AM is early these days) to visit family.

Here's to a better/blessed 2013.

 

[powerplay]

Happy New Year!

I stay home and will most likely be in bed before midnight although the neighborhood fireworks will surely wake me if I'm asleep by then.

Looking forward to a great year in 2013!

Just joined an aquarium that opened a couple weeks ago. I plan to go visit on New Years Day. It's local and I'm hoping it will be a fun place to visit and hang out a couple times a month through the year of my membership.

Oh boy, the fireworks have already started and it's 3 hours till midnight. Gonna be a long noisy night.

 

[wanaberetiree]

Happy New Year!!!

Our roots are from the East Europe, so NY is a big deal, much more so then other holidays. This is probably the only one time a year when we actually get together with friends, around 11 PM and celebrate till ~3-4 am.

 

[Dreamer]

Happy New Year. We stay at home. I played board games with son-in-law, his brother and his wife. They also taught me a new card game. I am not sure what time my DH went to bed, but he would not play any games with us. I had an enjoyable evening.