Do It Yourself

rituals. Time spent together cements the bond that parents and children form over the years. New Year’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to create new memories and New Year traditions, since everyone is off from work and school. Each area has its own events listed in the local newspaper, of course, but here are some general ideas for gathering together and starting the new year off right — with family and camaraderie in mind.

No matter how hard you partied the night before, many people would agree that a New Year’s Day hangover brunch is just what the doctor ordered. After all, it’s much easier to sleep the day away with a full stomach! The best option is to find a hot buffet that serves eggs, omelets, sausage, bacon, potatoes, breads, jellies, cream cheese, Jell-o, fruit, salads and lunch meats. Bring out the juice and coffee to really fight that “half-dead-fly-buzzing-at-the-window” feeling! You can orchestrate this event at your home if you feel up to it or you can find a local restaurant offering just such a feast. Food celebrations make wonderful annual traditions, whether you’re meeting with out-of-town family, friends or your kids.

Some people like to host a New Year’s Day open house, where they invite their friends over for a little party or get-together. New Years Eve can get pretty hectic, with so many bars and pubs to visit and so little time. It’s nice to call up the gang, brew a pot of coffee and offer up some delectable desserts (like cookies, brownies, eggnog, chocolates and pies). This New Years tradition dates back to colonial times, when colonists would publish the times they’d be home and guests — both known and strangers — would stroll in for sweets and greets. Unfortunately, some of these guests were drunk, rowdy and unwanted, so the “open to the public” tradition didn’t last for very long, but many colonists continued to invite family and friends over.

Many people like to use New Year’s Day to turn a new leaf. Some like to gather their friends together and volunteer. Perhaps they’ll serve food at a local soup kitchen, walk dogs at a nearby animal shelter or visit residents in nursing homes. You may also volunteer a show of support for our troops by creating care packages for those brave soldiers who spent their holiday in Iraq and Afghanistan. A good place to look for opportunities near you is www.ivolunteer.org.

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