With New Years Eve only a day away and the start of a new year right around the corner, I asked some of my fellow travel bloggers and twitter friends to tell me about some of their New Years traditions, or lack thereof! Even though we are living all over the world, so many people have such similar traditions and resolutions that helps to remind me that our world is even more connected than I think. Here’s what they had to say:
Lorna, @theroamantics
“I’m realizing my only New Year’s Eve tradition, is not having a tradition 😉 From small gatherings watching the countdown on TV, to the best party of my life in NYC, to proposing back to Francisco on stage at a sold out concert in SF, to being abroad, it’s been different every year, and I kind of love that! I’ve celebrated in New England, LA, NYC, SF, and Scottsdale in the U.S., and abroad in Montreal, Buenos Aires, and Siem Reap. I don’t always make them, but my resolutions this year are to be bolder than ever and to take off on a planned/unplanned RTW. Cheers to 2011 being everyone’s best year ever and hope to meet you on the road!”
Jeannie, @whereisjeannie
“The only New Year’s tradition that I observe is doing my best to fulfill my New Year’s resolution. My resolutions revolve around my love for travel. I try to go away at least once a year and in 2009, I went to several destinations; Vancouver where I dog-sleighed, Trinidad and Tobago, and greeted 2010 in Portland, Maine.
For 2010, we spent a lovely 2 weeks touring mostly lower England and went as far north to York, the original York – because I’m from *New* York – ha ha… And in 2011, I plan to do more traveling. In fact, one of the destinations I will be going to will be crossed off my travel bucket list; Scotland, first of my three Scotland itinerary!! The trip will focus on Edinburgh and Glasgow. I’m very excited about this trip!
The other trip for 2011 is my third visit to the wonderful city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver is one of my favorite cities. I’ll be attending my first TBEX conference. And I’ll also meet many travel Twitter folks who I’ve come to know. It’ll be great to get to know them in person.
I’m really looking forward to 2011 with the two trips I have lined up so far, with writing to accompany these much anticipated travels.”
Erin, @poohstraveler
“We are trying to start a tradition of spending New Year’s Eve somewhere different each year. First it was Amsterdam for a huge TravBuddy.com party (76 of us from 20 diff countries rented a party boat — what an incredible night!) Last year was Singapore and this year we are actually spending NYE at home in Taipei. This marks 100th year celebration of the founding of Taiwan, and the fireworks at Taipei 101 are supposed to be the best ones yet. We figured we should experience New Year’s Eve here at least once before we move again!”
TravBuddy NYE AMS
Craig, @stayadventurous
“Every January since the 1990s, I sit down with my immediate family to draft new resolutions and review prior ones. We don’t just dream up new goals but we grade each other on our last year’s effort.
The game (yes its fun) begins when we read off last years goals for discussion and debate. We must provide our best sales pitch in hopes to obtaining a majority vote for an elusive point representing an achieved goal. But what also adds to the fun is it’s not just goals we created for ourselves, but each participant provides a goal for each other. That’s when the fun begins. Luckily we choose laughter over anger as some cut close to the core.
Actually, we never seem to stop laughing and after our reviews, we crown a winner (most points). Next up, we all write up our goals for the new year. We share them all before filing to see if anyone has any questions, comments, or declarations.
Victorious the last two years, I am looking for an unprecedented third in a row. The “Vegas” odds might not be favor this year, but I know I’ll be laughing with my with the family, and that is what’s important.
To see my ‘stay adventurous’ goals, you can read my January Anniversary Post from 2010.
http://www.stayadventurous.com/2010/01/05/the-january-anniversary/“
Erin, @ehalvey
“Growing up, I always had pork and cabbage in some shape or form for New Year’s Day dinner. Sauerkraut and kielbasa were the usual form since my mother’s side of the family is Slovene. This year, my husband and I will be in Barcelona for New Year’s Eve. It’s the tradition there to eat one grape for every chime in the countdown to midnight. If you eat all 12 grapes before the chimes stop, you’re supposed to have good luck for the year. We’re going to give it a shot.”
Jenny, @whereisjenny
“In our house we always had a really fun unique celebration on New Years Day. Jack Frost, known as old man winter, comes through our house as a gust of cold air and leaves a small gift for the new year. You’d have to find it though, he’s pretty good at hiding things.
So, every new years day, my brother and I would run through the house looking for what Jack Frost had left us. It was a fun celebration to look forward to after Christmas. For me, it’s always been about celebrating the little things in life and celebrating Jack Frost is one of those fond memories.”
Dan, @daninaustralia
“Living in the Welsh mountains meant that there were very few places for me to go on New Year’s Eve and so each year would usually consist of a house party with family and friends. We’ve never had a party with less than 30 people around. Our celebrations would usually start around 2pm with people coming and going as they please. The BBQ and patio heaters were left on throughout the night and the ipod would be in its dock ready for whatever music we had. Games would normally take place as the night went on; I think it was “dirty minds” last year with the compulsory downing of shots if you lose. As midnight draws closer the music gets turned off and the TV goes on ready to watch Big Ben strike midnight. Once we hear those magical chimes everybody who is there links arms to sing (or at least attempt to sing) Auld Lang Syne. Fireworks, dancing and more alcohol would usually follow until the very early hours of the morning. Ironically, New Year’s Eve is my most favourite day of the year.”
So, what are your New Years traditions? Do you make resolutions? I’m going to wait until New Years Day to tell you mine! (That’s one of my traditions!)
