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The Christmas holiday is over and with it a sense of relief. You dashed around and finished all of your shopping on time. The holiday gatherings are over and the food has been eaten. You should have an immense sense of relief but there is always that nagging sensation of being let down. Perhaps it is time to take some recreational fun for you and your loved ones. New Years Eve is one of the biggest party days of the year. Adults around the world celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of the New Year.

Small, intimate gatherings or large celebrations bring out the party animal in us all. There are plenty of places to visit on this special night each year and it can all seem confusing if you attempt to do this at the last minute. You may be the club sort or simply want to host your own New Years Eve party. The choices are endless and can be anything you want it to be. If you are unsure of what to do on New Years Eve, this article is for you. You can get ideas on what to do to ring in the New Year in style.

What is the history of New Years Eve?

Celebrating the New Year is not a modern tradition. This history begins with the Babylonians hosting festivities that lasted for days to mark the first New Moon after the First day of spring each year. But you have to keep in mind that the calendar in which modern humanity uses has changed over the years through the whims of different rulers. It was not until Julius Caesar developed the Julian calendar that the days became to coincide with modern festivities. Over the centuries festivities have marked the end of the old year with the birth of a new year. Each culture has had different ways of celebrating this rebirth.

What should I do?

No one but you can make the determination on what sort of plans you should make for New Years Eve. There are a few things to keep in mind though when making those plans. The first is that if you live in a state where you actually have seasons, you may be facing the possibility of storms or snow. This can make traveling difficult at best. The second factor is if you will be staying overnight in a hotel after you have been drinking. You must always designate a driver who abstains from all alcoholic beverages. Law enforcement is extremely intolerant of drinking and driving, as well they should be. This is a time for celebration, not one of sorrow. If you intend to imbibe, make plans to stay the night or take a taxi home.

If I wanted to travel abroad for New Years Eve, what are some of my options?

There are New Years Eve festivities held around the world. In England the London Eye is host to over 150,000 people who gather around the banks of the Thames River and watch the incredible firework display. Times Square is a huge attraction with the dropping of the Times Square Ball and is attended by over one million visitors, not to mention the billion or so people who watch from home over broadcast. There are parades, parties, galas and black-tie balls held all over the world for merrymakers wishing to ring in the New Year. If you are traveling you will definitely want to make your travel arrangements early to avoid the packed airports. You should also factor in weather delays as travel is iffy that time of year due to snow and storms.

What are New Years Eve cruises?

New Years Eve cruises are exactly as the name implies. It is a cruise aboard a ship that is out to sea or in port on New Years Eve. Most cruise lines are operational during this time period and offer package deals for families and individuals wanting to ring in the New Year in a different manner than the typical party. Cruise lines may have a ball or some type of party that fits in with any traveler's desire. You can elect to cruise the Mediterranean or the Caribbean waters. The choice is completely up to you but make sure you book your trip in advance because space fills up quickly.

How far in advance should I make New Years Eve plans?

If you have been invited to a party at a nearby destination or friend's house you will want to RSVP quickly as a courtesy to the host or hostess. If you intend to book a package deal, travel abroad or take a cruise you will want to book your vacation as far in advance as possible to avoid the rush. This is especially true if you are flying. Some hotels offer last minute packages to sell out unused rooms but you do not want to count on this as part of your determining factors in where to go. It is best to have your New Years Eve plans in place at least by Christmas.

What are some party ideas?

Hosting a New Years Eve party is a great way to bring family and friends together for a special occasion. There are tons of party ideas to take advantage of and implement for your party. If you live in a colder climate you may want to add some heat by making your party an indoor luau. A costume party is a great idea as well. You can ask guests to don masks and not give away their identity until midnight. If a formal affair is what you have in mind then you can reserve a ballroom and make it a black-tie affair. People love the opportunity to dress lavishly and party the night away. Money can be tight this time of year but that does not mean you have to skip hosting a party. An intimate gathering of friends and family can be held inexpensively and still be a fantastic opportunity to say good-bye to the old year and a big hello to the New Year.

If I want an "adults only" New Years Eve party, is it okay to ask family and friends to not bring their children?

Many adults view New Years Eve as a chance to get away from the kids. If you are having an "adults only" party it is perfectly find to ask that the kids stay at home. You cannot, however, be upset when some parents elect not to attend. Babysitters are at a premium on New Years Eve so some parents may not be able to find suitable childcare. If a friend or family member becomes upset that they are being asked to attend sans children, gently explain your reasons. There might be smoking in the house or you feel uncomfortable with alcoholic beverages being served while children are present. It is your party and you have the right to include or exclude whomever you wish.

I have young children and they cannot be awake until midnight. What can I do to celebrate the New Years with them?

Many parents of young children fool their kids into thinking midnight has arrived by setting the clocks forward. You can turn the channel to a television station in another part of the world that is on a different time zone. Most small children do not realize the difference between nine o-clock and midnight. If you feel uncomfortable with the deception then just explain to them that they are not old enough to stay up until midnight. Children under the age of seven will fall asleep before reaching the magic hour. You can let them try to stay up as late as they can and chances are they will have the time of their lives just with that extra bit of freedom from a regularly scheduled bedtime.

What is the history of the Ball in Times Square?

The Times Square Ball has a great history that began in 1907. Over the years the construction of the Ball has changed but the idea and spirit has remained the same. Only twice in its history has the Ball not be used for New Years Eve. In 1942 and 1943 the Ball was suspended due to wartime rationing of electricity. October 2007 was the unveiling of the new Ball. Designed from Waterford crystal and illuminated by state of the art LED lighting, this new Ball is twice as bright as its predecessor. For many people New Years Eve is not the same without the symbolic dropping of the Ball in Times Square. It is a tradition viewed by billions of people worldwide via television broadcasting. If you want to see this in person, be prepared to rub elbows with an estimated one million fellow partiers.

I'm getting married on New Years Eve. What are some tips?

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. New Years Eve will definitely be one anniversary that is hard to forget. The wedding can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want. You can find plenty of decorations left over from the holiday. Silver tinsel and beautiful garlands go on sale after Christmas and can add a beautiful touch of class to your decor. Just as any wedding you will need to handle most of the preparations for the big day well in advance. This is particularly true if you intend to host a reception. Many banquet rooms and dance halls are reserved for New Years Eve parties and celebrations. You will also have to take into account room reservations at hotels for out of town guests. Make sure and book all reservations as early as possible in order to guarantee availability for rooms as well as travel arrangements. You will also need to take into account the weather depending on what area you live.

Are there inexpensive parties and trips for New Years Eve?

If you cannot afford a trip out of area there are usually many local parties in your neck of the country. Local country clubs, hotels and resorts often have New Years Eve festivities. Some airlines and travel agents have last minute deals to popular resorts. It is always better to make arrangements before New Years Eve but if you cannot there is always the possibility of last minute packages that become available due to cancellation. You will have to stay diligent but you can have a great time ringing in the New Year.

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