10 ways to spend New Year’s Eve off the clock
 Have a DVD marathon
Cuddle up on the couch with a warm blanket and rent DVDs you’ve wanted to watch all year, but never had the time.
Rent your favorite TV series to fill in the gaps of any episodes you missed, or relive your favorite segments.
Check out “extras” most DVD sets have, such as interviews with cast members, special effects secrets, or unaired scenes and blooper reels.
Don’t have any DVDs in mind? Come up with a movie theme and then visit the local video store. Small outlets often stock unique films you may not have heard of, but fit into your idea.
Get disconnected
Unplug your phone, turn off mobile devices, leave your laptop and/or computer off, take the batteries out of all your clocks and hide all the remote controls. Enjoy the silence. If you’re with other people, try passing the time by telling stories or playing games such as “truth or dare”, “I have never…” and “20 questions” to get to know each other better. If you’re alone, try noticing sights, sounds and smells in your home that may usually go unnoticed with you’re “plugged in.” Contemplate life, catch up on some reading or writing, or take a nice long bath.
Dine differently
Have the food come to you. Indulge in your favorite pizza, order Chinese or scope out other restaurants in your area before New Year’s Eve to see which ones will be open late and delivering.
If you want to do something different with friends, invite people over for a potluck. Try and coordinate so guests each pick a different ethnic food theme, so you have a multicultural feast.
If you want New Year’s Eve class without spending the cash, throw a wine and cheese party. Start an email thread with your invitees and get each to choose a nice bottle of vino to bring. Pick up a variety of cheeses, some crackers or a baguette, and fresh and/or dried fruit – and you’re in business!
Get outdoors
Escape time by planning an outdoor activity. Drive to a park in your area for some tobogganing, snowman-making or trail-walking.
If you plan the night in advance, you can also look into renting equipment for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling or winter-tubing.
If the weather is cold, wear lots of layers, bring blankets along and pack a thermos of hot chocolate, cider, or another warm beverage.
Prolong Christmas
If you didn’t get everything you wanted for Christmas, try coordinating a gift exchange on New Year’s Eve.
Leave the tree up, put out the leftover holiday goodies and invite your friends over to swap their least-wanted present. Remember, one person’s trash is another one’s treasure!
Even if you don’t get a dream re-gift, you’ll probably still have a good laugh with your friends as you unveil the rejected items they’re putting up for grabs.
Change time zones
Just because most people in your area are counting down to midnight based on the local clock, why should you be limited to your time zone?
Pick a place you’ve always wanted to visit, and bring in the New Year as if you were there. Throw a theme party -- get your friends to show up prepared to dress, act and talk like they’re at your dream locale.
Do your part to set the mood by decorating your home, buying eats and serving up drinks that represent the location. Set your clocks to the different time zone, and if the official language isn’t one you know, learn how to say “Happy New Year” in the local tongue.
Rent a cabin
Arrange to rent a nice, rustic cabin in a secluded area. Not only will you get a change of scene, but you’ll also be far away from tell-tale screams of “Happy New Year” if you live in a busy neighbourhood.
If you want to be super casual, bring low-maintenance eats, such as chopped vegetables, pitas or chips with dips, and baked goods. Feel like a little more flare? Fine cheeses, fresh fruit and antipasto items can be packed in a cooler just as easily.
Here are a few lodging luxuries to consider when deciding where to go:
- A fireplace. It can really add a warm feel -- figuratively, and literally.
- A kitchenette. A fridge and a counter makes it easier to organize and store food.
- A hot tub, available at some higher-end locales. Enjoy the steam, the silence and the open sky!
Meander memory lane
If you’re one of many people who haven’t updated their photo frames, or albums, in years, why not spend New Year’s Eve sorting through recent pictures and your memories?
Choose a cozy spot, put on some old tunes, and relish having the time to slowly go through photos, remember old times, and get a nagging to-do item you don’t normally have time to tackle struck off your list.
Avoid the strike of midnight by going back in time. You’ll start the New Year feeling organized, relaxed and reflective.
Break out board games
Invite friends and loved ones over to play in a New Year’s Eve marathon! Ask them to dust off their favorite board game, and bring it over along with munchies and drinks.
Throw chips, popcorn and candy into a few bowls, and place them around your place. Stock your freezer with ice for drinks. buy other items, such as lemons and limes, to have them on-hand for mixed beverages.
If you’re expecting a lot of guests, try creating a tournament. Set up multiple game stations, so no one is left out, and create an easy-to-use point system such as giving out different coloured playing chips to first, second and third place. Give the gift of laughter to the champion and the rest of your guests!
Go to bed
Obviously, being unconscious before midnight is one of the best ways to avoid the countdown on New Year’s Eve. But there’s more you can do in bed than falling asleep.
Lounge around in bed with a special someone – ditch the alarm clock, light some candles, and settle in under the covers. Add a nice bottle of bubbly, some strawberries and chocolate and enjoy the luxuries of the holiday without the noise and crowds.
If you’re flying solo, escape time by lighting incense, playing relaxing music and indulging in a good book you’ve been meaning to read.
- Nicole Tomlinson
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