What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

So goes the old Frank Loesser hit. Never intended to be a holiday anthem, the song tells the tale of a suitor looking far ahead on the calendar as a testament an plea for enduring love. As we prepare for the new year, though, the question looms.

With a new variant driving COVID case numbers up, one acceptable answer is “nothing” — or at least nothing far from the confines of your own home. Gathering in large groups has again become a risky proposition, so a quiet night in might be the safest option.

If you do celebrate, keep parties small to avoid the risk of spreading the virus. A Zoom, Skype or FaceTime session is always a good option if you wish to see faraway friends and relatives faces unmasked.

Small gatherings are safest, with only the people you know have taken the appropriate precautions invited. Epidemiologists told The New York Times that those who are at low risk for serious illness and have received a booster shot can celebrate with less worry.

For planners who still want to ring in the new year in style, Reader’s Digest offers 20 themed party ideas that can keep things interesting for small groups of almost any age — game nights, pajama parties and so on.

Weather permitting, the safest way for groups made up of members of different households to celebrate is outdoors. A socially distanced bonfire, beach walk or campout might make a memorable way to ring in 2022.

Another option exists for those worn out by 2021: Get comfortable, order some food, binge-watch a show and relax. You may even choose to go to bed well ahead of the ball drop in Times Square.

Or you could begin a #clutter-free new year one day early by taking down all of those #holiday #decorations and storing the ones you’ll want to use next year. Set aside the extras and contact ClothingDonations.org for a free #donation #pickup.

Consider it an early start to your #spring cleaning and part of your #resolution to be more #organized in the new year. Happy New Year from the Vietnam Veterans of America and ClothingDonations.org!

Start the New Year With a Plan

New Year’s Eve offers an occasion for reflection, even if you’re going to a big bash to watch the ball drop. Consider where 2018 has taken you: Are you more organized and clutter-free than you were at the start of the year? Are you happier, more fulfilled and less stressed? Make a resolution today to begin or reinvigorate your organizing efforts in 2019. First, make a place for all of the important personal and financial information you’ll want to access again throughout the year. Start by writing down all of the return addresses from your holiday cards and sorting out your bills and receipts from the last year, The Organized Home recommends, and you’ll get a headstart on correspondence and tax returns for 2019.

Happy New Year from ClothingDonations.org!

Dips That Will Get Guests Noshing

Whether you’re hosting a festive family feast or a cocktail-fueled New Year’s Eve bash this season, everyone likes to nosh on a savory dip, Food & Wine says. From caramelized onion dip to hummus to crab-and-piquillo-pepper spread, there are tons of easy recipes that will get guests snacking (and mingling) at your holiday party.