I started writing this blog post in December 2015. Somehow this post took longer to finish, so much so that new year is way past us and we are in February now. This new year, we went out to see a Christmas lighting in Miami (Santa’s enchanted forest) then had dinner out in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. We didn’t spend too much money but at the same time, we had a lot of fun.
A new year’s party may not be the all-you-can-spend day. People can have maximum fun with minimum money spent. The best way to enjoy a great new year is to have a potluck dinner with friends. Cracking some fireworks, having a chit chat with live TV telecast in the background. That’s exactly how we spent 2015 new year’s eve.
In this post, I am going to talk about 3 tips to save money on new year’s party while having a full enjoyment, that the day deserves.
Even if you spent most of your year working to get ahead, there is a time to stop and feel good. If not on any other occasion, at least on New Year’s Eve. The Bard of Avon once said “All is well that ends well”, so why not end the year in a most pleasurable way?
But feeling good and spending time with friends and family doesn’t have to be expensive. There are several ways in which you can feel great for the night without your budget having to suffer.
3 Tips to Save on the New Year’s Party
Potluck New Year’s party
When I turned 18, I hosted the first New Year’s party at home. I’ve taken care of the logistics – making arrangements for the parents to spend the night away, and freeing as much dancing space as possible – but I left the worries of assuring the food and drinks for the guests.
And the result was a feast never seen before (and two days of crumble parties afterward). The girls were the first to show, each with a bunch of sandwiches, homemade pastries or cakes, followed by the boys with at least a bottle of wine each. The costs were minuscule compared to hosting a “normal” party, and the fun was assured.
Even today this is my favorite option. You just need some good friends who are staying in the city, Call them over or be at someone’s place. Playing poker with friends is my favorite thing to do when I am staying up until late night.
If you want to have a little fun and glitz at the party, you can buy party supplies online, where you can get party supplies in a bulk, rather than buying it per piece basis from stores like party city, etc.
Go out to celebrate
Most cities organize celebrations – concerts, parties, and fireworks – in public squares on the night between the years. These are free most of the time (except in London, where you are charged 10 quid for the fireworks) and a great occasion to spend time with friends at a very low-cost.
You can walk around, watch the city dressed in a gown of light while waiting for midnight – and the fireworks.
City downtown areas are the best places to go on this day. You just have to hit the main street. Seating on a curbside bench while people watching is a great way to celebrate as well. You can add a scoop of ice cream from local ice cream shop, as well, if you like.
The last few times I’ve gone out to watch the fireworks has cost me nothing but a bottle of champagne – a New Year’s tradition that I love – and sometimes I’ve ended up at house parties organized by friends – where I had the time of my life.
Stay home and relax
It has happened to me, and it could happen to you to be too exhausted to even think of partying all night. If you happen to be so, don’t worry: it’s OK to stay out of the party circuit for a year.
And it can save you a ton of cash. Stay at home, treat yourself to your favorite food – and some traditional New Year’s dishes – and stay up until midnight. And once the New Year has started, wrap yourself in your favorite blanket and start it with a good night’s sleep.
And once the New Year has started, wrap yourself in your favorite blanket and start it with a good night’s sleep. You can even add “watching new year’s sunrise ” in your agenda as well. We live in Florida, near to Atlantic coast.Beach is just 30 mins drive from our home.
(Read Also – Staycation, to enjoy life on a budget)
Based on where you live, you can replace beach sunrise with meadows, mountain, lakes or even corn field. Ever watched a sunrise over a corn field, it’s a spectacle. Watching new year’s sunrise is just one big excuse to stay put during the night.
Friends, whatever you end up doing, just last piece of advice, don’t ruin the day to save a few bucks here and there. If you get to spend time with your friends, nothing’s better than that. A new years eve with family and relatives is the best way to celebrate, at least, in my opinion.
Readers, share your new year eve’s stories. How do you like to celebrate a new year?
Your blog was as much fun to read as your New Year party was! Unique and interesting tips I must say!
Thanks! Our new year’s party was fun and on the budget.
New Years is invariably spent at home, and we usually end up sleeping before midnight anyway because we get so tired from the day’s activities 🙂 It’s not the most exciting way to spend it but it sure is relaxing! And free, of course.