With the world just a few days away from ushering in a new year, it’s time to think about your plans to celebrate New Year’s Eve. There are many fun ways to spend the last night of the year and make it an affordable and low-stress event.
Here are some ideas to help spark your festive spirit and ring in 2015 while keeping the cost well within budget.
1. Host a Potluck Party
Having a party at home may seem like a stressful idea but throwing a potluck party is a great way to alleviate the need to prepare multiple dishes. Here are some more tips: Plan your guest list and menu in advance to allow enough time for guests to respond. Assign each confirmed guest something to bring. For the options that remain unassigned on the menu, shop for sales on the food and drinks you want to serve. You can also ask friends if they have any party decorations or visit your local dollar store to find party favors and noise makers on the cheap. No need to spend money on entertainment when you can create a playlist or select songs to play on your own Pandora station. (If you want to avoid ads during your party, make sure you upgraded to the $5 per month membership.)
2. Attend a Friend’s Party
If you’re not in the mood to host a party at home this year, it’s likely that one of your friends or family members will be hosting one. Take them up on their invitation and bring along an appetizer or drink. This is a low cost way to enjoy New Years Eve and share the good cheer with others.
3. Watch the Times Square New Years Eve Show
If you live in NYC, you may be one of the million-plus people who decide to visit Times Square to see the New Years Eve ball drop. If you don’t like crowds or live outside of the area, then watching the live musical performances along with the ball drop at midnight is the next best thing. In fact, viewing it from the comfort of your home is a smart decision all-around. The schedule of events and list of performers is available online and of course you also have the option to DVR the show for later.
4. Community Events
Many communities encourage their residents to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The city may offer free or inexpensive events that are fun for the entire family such as a fireworks display or music concert. Visit your city’s website or consult the local newspaper to learn of the activities happening in your area.
If you and your special someone want to go out but don’t want to break the bank, having dinner at a local restaurant may be just the ticket. Call days ahead to make your dinner reservation and check whether Groupon or other coupon sites are offering any special restaurant deals for New Year’s Eve. Keep in mind that at many restaurants you’ll pay more for a 7 p.m. or later dinner seating so enjoy the price reduction by going to dinner an hour or two earlier.
6. Quietly Ring in the New Year
For families with young kids, make it a fun evening of playing board games, watching movies or listening to music. Pair the entertainment with a family favorite meal and snack and it can be the makings of a family New Year’s Eve tradition. Celebrate the advent of a new year by spending it with those that bring you joy and happiness.
A New Year’s Eve tradition that never goes out of style is sharing a toast at midnight with a glass of your favorite drink, sparkling wine or champagne in hand. There’s no need to splurge on expensive beverage selections when you can easily find high quality offerings that sell within the $10 to $20 price range.
Your New Years’ Eve celebration can be as entertaining and frugal as you want it to be. Regardless of how you decide to celebrate, it goes without saying that if you drink, do so responsibly and never allow yourself or someone you know to drink and drive.
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Fabulously Frugal Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve originally appeared on usnews.com
