New Year’s Eve can be an expensive holiday. Many people go to pricey events at bars and restaurants and buy new outfits to dress up for the occasion. Even if you stay home on New Year’s Eve, it’s easy to overspend on food and drinks since champagne and caviar have become synonymous with the holiday.
Last year, the majority of Americans said they planned to spend at least $50 on their New Year’s Eve celebration. But luckily there are more cost-effective ways to ring in 2024. Here are six budget-friendly New Year’s activities that will help you start the new year on the right financial foot while having fun!
Make Your Own Party Supplies
Making your own New Year’s Eve party supplies is a fun way to stay occupied while you’re waiting for the ball to drop. Plus, you won’t have to waste money on cheap glasses and crowns from the store that will just end up in the landfill.
You can easily create a noisemaker by filling up a mason jar with beads, dry beans, or pennies and tightly securing the lid. To make your noisemaker more festive, try tying some ribbon around it or dressing it up with stickers. If you don’t have mason jars on hand, you can tape together two paper plates or cups to contain your beads or beans instead.
Another affordable craft I love to make on New Year’s Eve: DIY paper crowns.
Try an International New Year’s Tradition
Most Americans celebrate New Year’s with a bottle of bubbly at midnight. However, you could try participating in another country’s NYE traditions to shake things up. For example, many people in Spain eat 12 grapes before midnight to bring good luck in the upcoming year.
Families in the Philippines often serve a dozen spherical fruits on New Year’s Eve to represent the 12 months in a year. In Latin America, people sometimes walk down the block with an empty suitcase to ensure the new year is filled with adventure.
You could even try making vasilopita, which is a Greek New Year’s cake. Similar to king cake, it usually has a hidden coin inside. Whoever finds the coin when the cake is cut will have good luck in the new year.
None of these international NYE activities are hard on the budget, so find one you like and try it out this year. Who knows—maybe it will become a new family tradition!
Create a Pantry Snack Board
Finger foods are commonly served at New Year’s Eve parties and events. However, you don’t have to run to the store and purchase pricey frozen appetizers to enjoy this holiday tradition. You probably have random ingredients left over from Christmas in your pantry and freezer.
Challenge yourself to put together a New Year’s Eve snack board using only the odds and ends you have on hand. I’ve done this for several years and have always managed to whip up yummy food. One year I had enough eggs left over from Christmas cookie baking to make mini quiche bites, which were a big hit.
Take a Polar Plunge
Taking a dip in cold water has become a popular way to celebrate the fresh start that a new year brings and fundraise for charity. For example, the annual New Year’s Day polar plunge event held on Coney Island raises money for local community programs.
However, polar plunges have some potential risks like frostbite. So if you decide to participate in this NYE ritual, make sure you take proper safety precautions such as limiting your time in the water and wearing appropriate clothing.
Watch Free Fireworks Displays, Holiday Specials, and Movies
Many places including Disney World and Sydney, Australia celebrate New Year’s Eve with a holiday fireworks display. Websites like New Year’s Eve Live have live streams of these events, allowing you to enjoy some festive fireworks no matter where you live.
There are also various NYE specials on TV that can help you ring in 2024. Every year I watch New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, but there are usually other programs to choose from. Last year Miley Cyrus hosted a NYE bash and big country stars came together for a Nashville music special.
If you can’t find any live programs you enjoy, you can always turn on a festive movie like When Harry Met Sally or the Peanuts New Year’s special.
Participate in a Midnight Run
Many cities like New York and Portland host midnight runs on New Year’s Eve to celebrate. However, there are sometimes entry fees for these races. As a free alternative, you could gather a group of friends and go on a New Year’s Day bike ride or run in the park, weather permitting.
How are you planning to celebrate New Year’s? Let us know in the comments!
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Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.
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