With Christmas rapidly approaching and the New Year not far behind, this is a good time to slow down and mindfully consider how we’d like to end this year and start the next one. The end of December is a time for setting intentions. I like to mark the transition in a way that’s in keeping with what I hope to bring into the new year. With that in mind, here are three alternatives to the typical New Year’s bash:
1. Cook Together – If you’re like me, the majority of your New Year’s dining has happened either at a restaurant or hovering over an hors d’oeuvre table. And that’s great – I’ve thoroughly enjoyed most of the year-end bashes I’ve been to. But if you’re in the mood for something different this year, invite over a few of friends and cook a meal together. Over the last couple of months, I’ve been cooking almost weekly with one of my oldest friends and it has been a wonderful bonding experience. Good, homemade food and great company – what better way to ring in the New Year?
2. Set Life Priorities – I recently read this blog on Mummy Whisper Blog about the benefits of setting life priorities instead of resolutions. The author of the blog, Lisa Pearson, believes that resolutions are simply another item on the long list of things we feel we need to get done – and as a result, all they do is stress us out. I couldn’t agree more!
On top of that, resolutions make us feel guilty. Resolutions are usually intended to “correct” something we think we’re doing “wrong.” We tell ourselves we need to get in shape, we need to organize our closets, we need to be better about answering emails – whatever. What we really need to do is treat ourselves with more compassion. Setting life priorities allows us to take stock of what we really value and what our true intentions are for the coming year without being so critical of ourselves.
3. Host a Talent Show – I know this sounds hokey but stay with me. Recently, a musician friend asked if he could host a house concert at my place this spring. We’d gather a group of friends, open a bottle of wine and a box of dark chocolate and enjoy his music. That got me thinking – why not host a party with the goal of creating a space for all of my friends to share their talents? I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of brilliant friends. They’re chefs, writers, musicians, artists – and I for one would love to intentionally set aside a time to appreciate their brilliance. [Sarah Cooke]
What are you doing for New Year’s Eve? We’d love to hear your ideas! Sarah wouldn’t mind too.
