When we're talking about New Year's resolutions, most people think about things like losing weight or upgrading their car or office space. Some may add purchasing a new home to their list. However, many miss the importance of starting and using a budget to help with financial security and stability.
By the time the New Year comes around, people are in full party mode, ready to start the New Year “right.” However, going all out for a party to ring in the coming year without a care in the world for the financial cost can trip up your goals for 2025.
If you're looking for a new way to celebrate the New Year, we've curated a list of the best ways to revel in the countdown to 2025. Start this coming year on the right foot by switching things up and doing something truly different as a new year dawns.
1. Stay Home and Party
One of the easiest ways to cut down on spending during the New Year holiday is to simply stay home. Throw down some blankets in the living room, stash some fluffy pillows, pop some popcorn, put on some great movies, and ring in the new year with a stay-celebration.
Celebrating doesn't always have to be a lively party where everyone's yelling and screaming, “Happy New Year.” It can be low-key with the ones you love most, tucking your little ones into bed, and being thankful for all the blessings of the previous year.
2. Party Hearty Elsewhere
If you like going out for New Year, let someone else do the hosting. Whether it's friends or family, attending a New Year party outside your own residence can be all the party you need.
If you've hosted a party, you know just how time-intensive they are. You're usually the last to participate outside what you have to finish, and exhaustion can easily creep up on you. If hosting isn't something you enjoy doing, attend a party where the host delights in handling all the details and toast the New Year with those you love.
3. Group Events Are the Rage
Money can be tight as the New Year approaches. We've all just celebrated Christmas, and if your family is like mine, you have December birthdays on your list as well. If money is short but you still want to celebrate in style, grab a few friends or family who'd like to join you and do a group event.
You can choose the venue, bring the food (or order in), string up some pretty lights, put on some rockin' dance music, and set the mood for a fun-filled and frugal New Year party.
4. A Look Back
One of the best suggestions I found was a “look back party.” Have friends and family bring photos over the last year, set them up on a projector, make a playlist for the year, and enjoy looking back at the year you've had.
Snack food makes this even better and can add a fun element to a sentimental time. You might be pleasantly surprised at how far you've come in such a short time, and hopefully you'll get some laughs and maybe some tears from the experience. Either way, you'll go into 2025 knowing where you are and laser-focused on what you want to accomplish in the new year.
5. Snack Foods for the Win
Unlike Christmas, when everyone gets together for a meal, New Year can be a day for finger foods and favorite snacks. Pigs in a blanket, triangle sandwiches, homemade jello, fruit and cheese trays, and finger-fun treats are all great options for on-the-go eating that lets everyone enjoy good conversation, football, and the New Year countdown.
If you're looking to save money, all of these items can be made ahead at home without paying out to have them prepackaged from a local deli or grocery store. This is also a great way to ensure what you get is something you want. I, for one, don't like melon, so my fruit trays lean more toward pineapple, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries with yogurt dip.
6. Friends and Family Only
One of the best ways to cut down on hosting a New Year get-together is to only invite your closest friends and family. Topping off your list at fifteen to twenty people ensures you have enough food and beverages to go around.
An easy punch recipe is to combine Sprite (or 7Up) with Hawaiian Punch. Serve sparingly to little ones and have someone on driving duty if you serve any sort of alcohol-infused punch. Keeping everyone safe starts with being sure that everyone makes it home safe as well.
7. Book Rides in Advance
If you don't have anyone who wants to volunteer to stay sober and drive others home, you can book an Uber or Lyft driver in advance. Give them a generous tip if they're driving several people home from your residence, and rest easy knowing everyone made it home in sound fashion.
Uber and Lyft drivers will be out among the masses on New Year's Eve, when both drunk drivers and police checkpoints may be on the increase. This being said, it's good to book your own ride to and from any alcohol-accessible events you may attend. You won't have to worry about where your vehicle is, and you'll get home safely yourself.
8. Pajamas Allowed
My husband and I are huge homebodies. We don't often attend events outside special occasions for family, Thanksgiving, and Christmas dinners. Instead, we usually tuck our youngest children into bed, make sure our older girls have showered and are ready for bed, and then we get in our pajamas and pick a new movie to watch.
These pajama parties are the highlight of our week and often come with a precursor for our littlest ones to enjoy a new movie as well before their bedtime. Popcorn, dollar candy, carbonated flavored water (in place of soda), and ice cream treats are all great options for a once-a-week mini-party.
9. Morning After Care
Sometimes, a hard night of partying (or parenting) calls for a little morning aftercare. This might mean sleeping in, having a late breakfast, or drinking an extra cup (or four, don't judge) of coffee.
Whatever your routine is for the morning after a party, indulge in excess. Sleeping in, snacking on leftovers instead of cooking, going to bed early, and exercising are optional. Parties are for enjoyment and shouldn't come with a to-do list for the next day.
10. Fondue Fever
Whether you want the cheese or chocolate version of this party staple, your guests will be in for a treat. You can make it extra special by also offering fresh-baked bread, flaky biscuits, pretzels, meatballs, cocktail sausages, chicken poppers, or a variety of finger-approved veggies.
If you're opting for the chocolate fondue pot, add a charcuterie board filled with fresh fruit, churros, rice crispy treats, pretzels, animal crackers, pound cake, and even some chili peppers if you like a kick of spicy heat.
11. Movie Marathon
I love movies: ones I've seen a million times and ones I'm watching for the first time. I'm a huge fan of M. Knight Shyamalan's work and love planning movie nights for my family. Movie marathons are a great way to pass the time if you're waiting for the ball to drop into 2025.
Whether you have a hodge-podge of movies because you have a large age range in your house like I do, or your movie list is all sci-fi for you and your partner, making a movie marathon countdown is both fun and entertaining.
12. Book Babysitters
If you want to celebrate the New Year as a couple, you'll want to book your babysitter ahead of time. Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents are great options for last-minute or plan-ahead babysitters.
Ensuring your children are safe and having a great time themselves will free you up to enjoy a truly lovely New Year with your beloved. Order your favorite food, dance to “your song,” watch a new movie, and ring in the new year with gusto. Then, sleep in the following day and have a late brunch and your favorite coffee.
13. Sleepover Serenity
Host a sleepover if you have little ones who desperately want to “stay up” for the new year. Turn the clock ahead in their room and get them ready for bed early. Snuggle them into their pajamas, let them pick a movie with their favorite movie treat, and when the movie is over, inform them that “midnight” is only ten minutes away.
Setting the clock ahead and getting them engrossed in a movie can help them wind down ahead of the “New Year.” Then let them count down to the new year, tuck them into bed, and in the morning, they won't know the difference.
14. Dress Up Swap
My oldest three daughters are close in age to many of their cousins. One of their favorite pastimes is a clothing swap. They bring a well-loved clothing item (or two) and swap them with their cousins, and before the night is out, they all have a “new to them” wardrobe piece.
Sometimes, it's a chunky scarf or winter gloves. Sometimes it is a nice pair of jeans or thick socks. In the end, the girls walk away happy, and everyone has a great time. It's the perfect way to ring in a new year.
