How to Stay Safe on New Years Eve

You could stay home alone. That is always a safe bet on New Years Eve. But for some, that's no fun! It's not that you have to party until dawn on New Years, but many of us like to ring in the upcoming year by having some sort of celebration. A great way to do that would be safely.

1) Home Improvements
Have a painting party or something similar. Not all party's have to be about drinking alcohol for New Years Eve. If you have a new house, or a room you are re-doing, invite some friends to help wall-paper, paint or decorate. Of course you should have food and music, and it's a great way to keep busy, for those who don't like to sit on the couch waiting to see the ball drop, and ring in the new year.

2) Senior Centers
Want to give back before the new year starts? Many senior centers have New Years Eve party's at their facilities. Be a volunteer. For those who plan on going to bed early, don't want to drive after midnight or who do have plans for later that evening, this is a great way to help others and enjoy your New Years Eve. Most senior centers will not keep their residents up past midnight, but they will celebrate the holiday.

3) Craft Party/Baking Party
Invite the girls or the kids over for a craft or baking (or both) party. Put on the TV or the music and paint pottery, make cookies, learn Origami, design candle holders and so much more. It's your decision whether you want to serve alcohol, so if you do, make it a slumber party so everyone stays put until the next morning.

4) Dinner Party
My parents used to have fantastic dinner party's on New Years Eve. They would have a small amount of guests arrive at 9pm for a late dinner, some arriving by taxi, and order lobsters or grill filet mignon, both a special treat, to celebrate the incoming year. After dessert, they would open the champagne, count down the last 30 seconds and toast the new year together. An elegant way to spend New Years Eve. And don't forget to keep the taxi company phone number handy.

5) Sports Party
There's nothing like a sports party, especially to get the men involved. Everyone can dress up in work-out outfits or their favorite team togs and enjoy sport for the night. Have an outdoor flag football game, or play bocce ball (lawn bowling) depending on the weather. You could have indoor ping pong, pool, Monopoly, darts or video game tournaments. This is a fun way to spend New Years Eve, actively and responsibly. If you do include beer or alcohol, make sure there is a designated driver, a number for taxi cabs or room for sleepovers.

6) Movie/TV trivia etc...Party
This is a fun way to bide your time while you wait for it to be midnight. Play movie or TV trivia games, have a movie marathon with your favorite movies (like the "Godfather" franchise,) or a TV marathon of your favorite show(s). Your food and drink can also be movie/TV themed such as TV dinners or movie theate popcorn. Make Shirley Temple drinks or Manhattan's either for the movie "Manhattan" (Woody Allen) or the fact that the "Sex and the City" girls lived there. Make sure there are designated drivers, taxi services and/or those who are staying the night.