SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Going to a party can be fun. But, if you don’t want to have to get all dressed up or go out in the cold, you can bring in the New Year with one of these two ideas or both!

MAKE A MEMORY JAR – Get a jar with a lid. A Mason jar or any kind of jar. Decorate the jar to your liking. Be creative – you can use glitter, pictures, quotes or whatever you like! You’ll keep it for the next 12 months. Each time that something good happens write it on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. You can even put mementos in it such as, ticket stubs and cards. Open it on New Year’s the next year and enjoy remembering the fun things you did over the last year.

MAKE A FESTIVE DINNER -  Most everyone likes to eat, so stay in and cook a feast. Preferably something that you don’t eat everyday.  It doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are a few affordable suggestions to go along with your feast:

Cherry Stuffed Tomatoes – Cut the tops out of 24 cherry tomatoes, scoop out the insides and discard. In a bowl mix 3 ounces softened creamed cheese, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, ¼ finely chopped, peeled cucumbers, 1 tablespoon chopped green onion and  2 teaspoons minced dill. Spoon into tomatoes. Refrigerate until serving.

Pecan Caramel Candies- Place 54 pretzels spaced apart on foil or parchment lined baking sheets. Place a Rolo chocolate candy on top of each pretzel. Bake 3 to 4 minutes until the candies are softened. Top each with a pecan half. Press to spread the candy into the pretzel. Let cool and serve.

Christmas Punch – Mix 6 cups cranberry juice, 3 cups pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon almond extract, 3 liters ginger ale in a punch bowl or large container and stir. Add a 12 oz bag of cranberries, 2 sliced limes and stir. Add ice, serve within a few hours.

Or. Who says you need to do anything!

Watch the Ball drop

                                                       Or

Go to bed early, catch up on some sleep. Then get up on New Year’s day and take a fun, short road trip around your town or even the next town over!