Written by: Shalabieh
So the frenzy to find a party, to celebrate the new year, to do something special has been going around for a while. I know I asked my friends last month what they were thinking of doing to bring in the new year. And some want to dance at a big event, others want to be in a small gather of friends and some just want to be left alone. But most all of them grumbled and said I dont want to pay and arm and leg. So here are some ideas for the celebrating the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012.
1- Reclaim public spaces.
There are many public spaces that can be used as a gathering space so throw a street party and ask your friends to just gather there and count in the new year. Some ideas include: Al Matal in Jabal Al Qalaa, Al Matal in Jabal Amman, The first circle, the second circle, Abdoun Circle or Paris circle... any space really that you can gather and reclaim.
2- Host a pot luck dinner
This could be something small where everyone brings their favorite dish and celebrates by sharing something they love to eat and enjoy with people they love and enjoy.
3- Host a movie night
This is for those in an anti social mood where its just a handful of people watching a good movie together.
4- Host a game night
For the competitive that love to win this is probably a good way to go... tarneeb, tricks, tawleh or any board game you like
5- Go out of the city
Spend the night somewhere else. I remember sleeping in the desert for new year's eve and going hiking the next morning around a ridge and into little Petra. What a spectacular way to start the year!
6- Turn junk into treasure
I am a big advocate of reusing and recycling, and one of my favorite things to do is to go through my things on a regular basis and give them away or swap them with someone. So host a swap party where people bring at least three items they dont want to keep and put them in the swap pile, they can take what they want from the swap pile and what is left over can be donated and given to someone who needs it more than you.
7- Focus on New Year's Day
For me the important thing is to have a good start to the year and so I like to spend the new year doing something I love and enjoy. I feel it sets the tone for year. So some ideas could be: a good lunch with friends, going somewhere new, giving out hugs... just make sure whatever you do puts a smile on your face as well as others.
8- Connect
When was the last time you a wrote a personal letter or email to that friend that moved away or made a phone call to an old high school friend, what about your favorite colleague from three jobs ago, what happened to him or her? Reconnect with someone from your past :) Alternatively connect with someone new in your life... you never know how they will impact it.
9- Spend time loving yourself
We always neglect ourselves the most. So spend time taking care of you and giving yourself space to be just you without the demands of others. Turn off your phone for an hour, take a bath, give yourself a nice gift, do something that is all you and enjoy it.
10- Finally if all else fails dont do anything – because really its just another day and tomorrow you will just cross out one more day in the calendar.
Happy Holidays, and I hope you all survive the end of year frenzy.
Give us your thoughts on how to bring in a New year in the comments box below!
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