NYE - What do you do on a budget?

[Donnainnj]

We go to Ocean County First night in Seaside. For $5 you get some entertainment, and special coupons for games or prizes at each of the arcades. The night ends at 5pm with fireworks. We always spend a bit more (maybe $20 or $25 more per kid for games) and get lunch there, but it is still a lot cheaper then other options for New Years and we all really look forward to it.
Donna

 

[eroilersgal]

So happy to see this thread and all of the responses from those that stay home. My 10 year old DS has recently been told by a good friend that we are 'boring' because we stay home as a family, eat junky snacks I won't buy the rest of the year, and play Wii - (gasp!) TOGETHER!! Glad to know we are not alone.

 

[EllenFrasier]

OP here - well, I guess we are not the only people who stay home on NYE then! We tried playing games one year. Dh is a poor loser though so it gets tricky when the games get competitive.
I guess I was looking for something else because the movies that are available to rent are usually so bad that I don't want the kids watching them. One year I watched the kids movie with them and Dh went upstairs to watch his movie, which I wouldn' t let the kids see. Didn't make much of a family night and I was a little upset with him. Not a good way to end the year and begin a new one.
Sleep sounds good right now to me. They can watch a movie and I'll pretend to be watching, but I'll actually be sleeping...think they will notice if I snore?

 

[momto2inKC]

Not sure yet what our plans are this NYE. In the past we've done family get togethers, parties with friends, gone to a casino, stayed home and played board games and watch movies.

 

[ChiCat]

Unfortunately going out in the city isn't very convenient public trans is a nightmare and taking a taxi is sometimes impossible. On top that most bars and hotels all have packages like spend 75 to a 150 but drinks are included but my husband doesn't drink so it's a waste of money. this year we are having friends over for drinks and games (WII and board), and I'm making BBQ pulled pork.

 

[windycitymom]

For the past 15 yrs. or so, we get together with two other families and do a progressive dinner. Appetizers at one house, main dish at one, and dessert at the last one. Our kids are teenagers now and we allow them to ask other friends to join us. We all live in the same neighborhood so we just walk from house to house. (The families have changed over the years, but we still stay in our neighborhood). I told my kids they could make other plans once they reach college age; until then, NYE is spent with the family.

We play board games, dice games, Rock Band and just hang-out. Sometimes we'll go til 3 am in the morning.

 

[tomaszewski58]

My DH and I go out to an early dinner, so we're home before the drunks start driving around. Then we keep an eye on the teenagers. Encouraging them to stop by allows us to make sure that our kids are staying out of trouble and reporting back to fellow-parents if someone else seems to have made a bad decision.