New Year's Eve on a Budget: Ten Romantic, Alcohol-Free Ideas

New Year's Eve is a time of celebration. We're saying goodbye to one year and hello to the next. Forget about all those mistakes you made during the year, and get a chance to start fresh. So why not begin your fresh start on New Year's itself? Try something different this year for New Year's Eve.

Every year, for as far back as I can remember, I have spent New Year's eve in a bar or nightclub. One year, I spent New Year's eve in New York, at Planet Hollywood. That New Year's eve party cost me $200 just to get in the door! I don't personally drink, so the free alcohol all night didn't really serve me much.

Even if you are a drinker, sometimes you probably feel like you're tired of the same old scene. All that really happens at traditional New Year's parties is that everyone drinks until oblivion, toasts champagne at midnight, and then we all go back home or to a hotel and realize we spent a fortune. How romantic is that?

Instead of the traditional New Year's eve gala at a bar or nightclub, or even a hip members-only party, try soomething that is really unique. Try an event or celebration that won't involve alcohol, and make it an alcohol-free New Year's. Try something that won't cost you $200 just for entrance through the door!

Here are ten great ideas for a romantic alcohol free New Year's eve on a budget:

1. Rent a cabin in the woods and light a fire. Go all natural. Make sure it's one with an outhouse so you can get a real sense of nature. Dress warm, and enjoy! This idea works great for a couple, because it can be an incredibly romantic evening! If you feel you must toast at midnight, just have soda or another nonalcoholic beverage. It still makes a good toast!

Most likely, you'll be able to find a place to rent that doesn't cost a fortune. Pick somewhere off the beaten path. For example, if you live near Washington, DC, then try going to a small town in Maryland in the mountains to rent the cabin. You'll find a better deal and won't spend a fortune!

2. Go camping. This only requires transportation to a camping spot and a tent. Of course, you'll have to be able to figure out how to put the tent together as well! It will be cold, so just like number one, you'll want to start a fire. This time it will be outdoors. You will need to check to make sure your camping ground allows for fires before you start one! The romance begins when the two of you have to share a sleeping bag to keep warm!

3. If you live somewhere that it stays warm year round, try celebrating New Year's eve at the beach. You could find a deserted beach and just sit and watch the waves crash in to the shore until midnight. This is very relaxing, and the solitude will be very romantic.

4. Stay home, and rent some movies. This one won't be expensive. This will be especially romantic to the busy couple who never have time to unwind and relax. Best part about it is you don't have to drive anywhere, so in the morning when you wake up, you're already home.

5. Massages. Find a place that is open New Year's eve and get a couples massage. You will be lying beside each other, getting massages. This is extremely romantic because you'll become incredibly relaxed. Just make sure that your masseuse is the same sex as you are, so your mate doesn't get jealous. That can definitely ruin the mood!

6. Fireworks in your own backyard. If you really want some sense of traditionalism for your New Year's eve celebration, get some of your own fireworks and create your own New Year's eve blast. You might have fireworks left over from July 4th, or you could buy some online. Make sure you only use legal fireworks for your state and location. The romance inherent in this idea is that the two of you will be alone while you watch the fireworks display!

7. Drive to some remote and isolated location to ring in the New Year. Instead of renting a cabin or camping out overnight, just go for a long drive to a remote location. Then, you can drive back after midnight. This way, you won't have to rent a cabin and you won't have to be outside camping in freezing temperatures all night. Of course, you do have to drive alot, but this can be fun! For some added romance, make a mix cd of romantic music to play for the drive. The seclusion at midnight will add to the ambience.

8. Use an alternative time zone's midnight to celebrate New Year's during the day! Instead of waiting until midnight for your time zone, pick another location and celebrate it's midnight. For example, you may pick Switzerland, which is about six hours ahead from Eastern Standard Time. Or, pick somewhere even further East, and you could celebrate around noon or even at 8 am. This way, you have more options for what you do. You don't have to celebrate in the dark, and more places are open. For instance, now you can have a New Year's even workout celebration, where you and your partner challenge each other to see who can run the most miles on the treadmill. Friendly competition can be pretty romantic at times!

Additionally, when you start screaming at 8 am wherever you are, everyone will ask what you're doing. The idea could be contagious! You'll also have less of an urge to drink alcoholic beverages at a gym or in the morning. (Well, at least I hope this works for you.)

9. Walmart at midnight! This is a crazy idea, but it can be enjoyable and romantic. The idea is to just browse through the store, try clothes on, look at new products, listen to sound systems and watch tv's. Wait until it's almost midnight, and then go back to the televisions. Find a huge HDTV flat panel television, and make sure it's on the ball drop from New York City. Watch the ball drop in Walmart! This will be a story for the grandchildren. Corny, but cute.

10. Recording studio at midnight. Guys, here's your chance to score big with your lady. Remember how many times she's asked you to sing karaoke, and you turned her down? You just couldn't get up the nerve, but wouldn't dare tell her that was the reason. So, now you can be in a private setting, and record a song together at midnight. Find a romantic tune, and sing away! You'll have something to keep and remember the occasion by with this idea. Of course, it isn't totally free, but it won't cost a million dollars either! It's worth a little bit more for the romance this will create!