But don't despair. While some people believe that theater tickets, fancy duds, reservations or weeks of planning are needed to ring in the New Year in style, most of us can attest that some of our best times were had on the spur of the moment.
So, rather than put on your pajamas and turn in before the ball drops, think about the people and activities that make you happy, and combine them for an impromptu celebration. They might include taking in a movie, watching Dick Clark on the tube, or going out to dinner or to one of the many local pubs or halls in the area that don't require reservations but will have entertainment and party favors at the ready.
Here are 11 other ideas you might consider to welcome in 2011:
1. Throw a last-minute house party. Don't worry if there is no time to clean the house, because the guests will only dirty it anyway. Each of the guests can pitch in and bring libations and snacks. Someone can be assigned to pick up noisemakers and party hats.
Saibaba Reddy, owner of two liquor stores in Manahawkin, 72 Buy-Rite and Roxy's, says he is expecting a last-minute rush of customers stocking up today for supplies for house parties. Champagne and cordials are some of the best sellers for New Year's celebrations, he says. If champagne is too pricey for you, prosecco is an affordable alternative and just as festive.
2. Hop on a train, a bus or a ferry to New York City to join the estimated 1 million people who gather in Times Square each year to watch the ball drop at the stroke of midnight. Alcohol is not permitted on the streets, and revelers are encouraged to arrive early before streets are closed off. At 6 p.m., the New Year's Eve Ball will begin its ascent to the top of One Times Square. Festivities and entertainment will follow, with balloons and party hats being distributed to the throngs, beginning about 7 p.m. An hourly countdown will ensue, until the last, exciting moments when New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg pushes a button to start the 60-second, 70-foot descent of the 11,875-pound, lighted Waterford crystal ball.
3. Head over to Seaside Heights to watch Nicole Polizzi, better known as "Snooki," as she is dropped in her own ball outside MTV's "Jersey Shore" party house to cap MTV's 90-minute, fist-pumping New Year's Eve special. The poufy-haired reality star originally planned to descend in a ball in Times Square, but the stunt was relocated to Seaside Heights when the Times Square Alliance denied MTV's request. The rest of the television special will be broadcast from MTV's Times Square studio.
4. If your reality involves children, take the family to First Night Ocean County in Seaside Heights. Purchase bracelets for $5 per person and gain entry into five arcades along the Seaside Heights boardwalk, each offering a variety of entertainment and giveaways. Despite the recent blizzard, crews have been working hard to ensure pathways leading to the arcades are shoveled, said Maria Maruca, executive director of the Seaside Heights Business Improvement District. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m., followed by fireworks.
5. Head down to Atlantic City to try your luck at the slots or tables. While it is probably too late to book a room, you can still partake in festivities at the casinos. Among them are dance parties offered at two different clubs at the Borgata.
6. Grab a partner and go ballroom dancing at the Freehold-based LaFitte Dance Club's New Year's Eve dance party at the Knights of Columbus, 70 E. Main St., Freehold. Dance club founder Albert Roux says a disc jockey will play every type of social ballroom dancing music, including waltzes, fox trots, cha-chas and tangos. There is a cash bar, and the $38 admission fee includes a buffet. Attendees are urged to call by this afternoon for reservations at 732-687-0030. Otherwise, they will still be admitted at a lower cost, but may not be fed. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. And, don't be afraid if you have two left feet. Roux says, "If you can walk, you can dance."
7. Trade in your dancing shoes for running shoes and join in the Jersey Shore Running Club's Twilight Fun Run/Walk and Party. Check-in begins at 4 p.m. at Bar Anticipation, 703 16th Ave., Lake Como, and the three-mile run around Lake Como begins at 5:45 p.m., followed by a party. You can preregister online at jerseyrunner.com. Registration is $30 and includes a T-shirt and one-hour open bar and buffet at Bar A. You need not be a club member to participate.
8. Watch more than 120 floating Christmas trees light up to music in a maritime display on Lake Meone at the Village Green at Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Smithville. The orchestrated show of lights and music is free and will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
9. Rock 'n' bowl into the New Year at a bowling alley that offers midnight bowling. Many area bowling alleys are having private parties for New Year's Eve, but Playdrome at 101 Locust St., Lakewood, has open bowling from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., with DJ music and a light show.
10. Dress like a rock star and sing karaoke. The amateur singing begins at 9 p.m. at Bahr's Landing, 2 Bay Ave., Highlands. For $75, you can sing and indulge in a buffet and open bar from 8 p.m. to midnight at Happy Hour, 730 Jamaica Blvd., Toms River.
11. Go to a church service. Most houses of worship have them on New Year's Eve. At the Ocean County Baptist Church, 1380 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, the service goes from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will include games and testimonies from worshipers, followed by refreshments. Attendees are asked to bring a finger food. Whether 2010 was difficult or delightful, there probably is no better time than Dec. 31 to thank your maker for getting you through another year and to ask for blessings in 2011.
