Want to celebrate New Year’s Eve in a big way, but feeling a little strapped for cash? Well, this holiday is the perfect time to gather with friends and family to bring in the new year with a bang no matter the size of your budget. Even if you’ve blown a ton of cash on Christmas presents, you can still find plenty of frugal activities to take part in on New Year’s Eve. Here are three fun ways to ring in 2014 (without draining your bank account)!
1. Day Trips
For most of the year, families are busy with school, work, practices, rehearsals, and generally hectic lifestyles. We often forget to just take a day off to go on adventures together. New Year’s Eve presents a perfect opportunity to spend time with one another (since everyone is most likely on vacation) even without leaving your home town. Your entire family can enjoy trips to an amusement park, the zoo, or nearby parks. There are also many tours available near major cities, which allow you to see your city in a brand new light.
Not sure where to start? Check by travel sites like Expedia’s activity page, read guidebooks, or visit up your town’s website. You won’t believe how many things you can discover when you act like a tourist in your own city.
These adventures don’t have to cost too much either. Check for an Expedia coupon if you book through their site or simply ask if there are any discounts for locals when booking a tour (don’t forget AAA discounts if you’re a member). New Year’s Eve celebrations offer opportunities to enjoy free firework displays, neighborhood Christmas lights, and craft fairs. Keep your eyes open for local ads for events happening near you. You can also try Googling “free things to do in [your city]” for other ideas.
2. Potluck Parties
Of course, the best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve is a party with friends or family – complete with a countdown to midnight. But hosting an event usually means you end up with tons of expenses (people drink a lot of champagne on New Year’s!).
A great way to remedy this problem is by throwing a potluck for your friends and family. Invite guests to bring a dish or beverage, so you don’t have to worry about supplying everything yourself. Plus, you won’t have to stress about organizing the whole thing when you use SignUpGenius. This free site allows you to send emails to everyone you’ve invited, and they can sign up for what they’re bringing. A potluck party will let you enjoy the festivities without having to stress about all the money you spent on the shindig.
In order to get your party talked about in 2014, you’ll need to come up with some ways to distinguish it from every other get-togethers. You can ask guests to submit their three favorite songs with their RSVP and then put together an awesome Spotify playlist for the evening. Or, set up several card games in different locations so guests can have poker or blackjack tournaments. If you want to create a fun vibe for the party – try a theme party. Suggest on the e-vite that everyone wear funny hats, tiaras, or their idea of the worst trend from 2013. To keep in the New Year’s spirit, put up chalkboards where your guests can write their resolutions for the coming year. Your friends or family will love all the attention you put into making the party unique and it doesn’t have to cost you a thing.
3. Staycations
Everyone deserves a vacation during the holidays, but you might not have the extra funds to spend on flights and transportation. That’s where a well-deserved staycation comes into play. All you have to do is find a good bargain for hotels near your hometown, and you can have all the fun of a vacation without the hassle of actually traveling somewhere. Renting a hotel room is a great way to snag a perfect view for a fireworks display (especially if they have a rooftop terrace), and some hotels offer special New Year’s Eve buffets.
Take advantage of a respite from the holiday craziness while still enjoying quality time with your family. Chances are your hotel will also come with all the great perks of being on vacation – no clean-up, breakfast buffets, and comfy robes!
A lot of hotels offer bargain packages for their guests on New Year’s Eve. Check out the hotels near you to see if any of them are running special rates and look for Hotels.com discount codes to find additional savings – all the great deals will put you in a happy place heading into the new year!
What better way to say goodbye to 2013 than spending time with the ones you care about? Well, the only thing better might just be saving money while you do it.
Image sources: Fireworks, Sparklers
Author Bio: Erin Konrad is a writer for CouponPal.com, where she helps readers keep up with the hottest shopping trends and bargains around. Her work can also be seen on sites like DailyActor, Admissions Consultants, and Teen.com.
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