What to do on New Year's Day?
November 24, 2006 5:46 AM   Subscribe

Forget New Year's Eve plans...what can I do on New Year's Day?

My husband is in a band and will be spending New Year's Eve playing a show. While it will be a lot of fun to watch him onstage, standing down on the floor being jostled by a bunch of strangers wasn't exactly the activity I had hoped for our first New Year's together.

We've been trying to think of something fun to do on New Year's Day, but in our area (Milwaukee, WI) most businesses will be closed and there's a good chance the weather will be frigid.

So, if anyone does have a good idea, or if anyone has ever spent New Year's Day doing something memorable, I'd love to hear it! I spend most New Year's Days nursing a hangover, so this is new territory to me.
posted by christinetheslp to Grab Bag (15 answers total)
 
Depending on how much money you have to spend, how about a really nice hotel? Do two nights (Dec 31 & Jan 1). Go straight to the hotel after his gig, have a laaaaaaazy breakfast in bed at the crack of noon. Spa in the afternoon maybe, and a really nice dinner on NYD.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:03 AM on November 24, 2006


Love the hotel/spa idea.

I don't know how memorable it will be but, you could always go to the movies and a cozy little restaurant.
posted by LoriFLA at 6:20 AM on November 24, 2006


When I lived in Encinitas, CA I went to the beach one New Years Day. It was very special. I know it's not an option in Milwaukee, but if the weather is not too wintry could you go to the lake, the park, the zoo, etc...? Being outside to commune with nature is a great way to mark a "new beginning" for a New Year.
posted by Robert Angelo at 6:28 AM on November 24, 2006


Just thought again and realized I gave you a bad answer -- your winters are that cold. Sorry...
posted by Robert Angelo at 6:35 AM on November 24, 2006


I know it's not an option in Milwaukee, but if the weather is not too wintry could you go to the lake, the park, the zoo, etc...? Being outside to commune with nature is a great way to mark a "new beginning" for a New Year.

Brrrrrrrr. I second the idea of going to the movies. For some reason, it is fun and memorable.
posted by Sassyfras at 6:44 AM on November 24, 2006


My friends and I use New Year's Day to have a do-over for people who had shitty Christmases. Like, if their family or whatever was up in their grill. They come over, get some ribs, some jerk chicken, salsa, beer, we light a fire, and everything is okay.
posted by jon_kill at 6:44 AM on November 24, 2006 [1 favorite]


Brunch and movies! (But I also think the hotel/spa thing is a good idea.)

Ski hills and skating rinks are usually open on new years day, and probably won't be very crowded, so that could be fun!

Also, touristy areas will probably be open on New Years Day (they are in Toronto, at least), so if you head down to whatever Milwaukee's touristy neighbourhood is you could probably do lots of stuff.
posted by Kololo at 7:37 AM on November 24, 2006


Something my wife and I have tried to do for the last few years is make some sort of art on New Year's Day, something that can be started and finished on that day. It usually changes every year--we've shot a roll of super 8 film, taken photos, recorded original music, made New Year's cards to mail out, etc. As simple or as complicated as you like. Beginning a new year with a creative act is somehow very satisfying--and gives you a nice memento of that day.
posted by hovercraft at 8:44 AM on November 24, 2006 [1 favorite]


In Milwaukee, Starship has a great New Years Day sale. I go every year.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 8:56 AM on November 24, 2006


...nurse your hangover?
posted by weaponsgradecarp at 9:10 AM on November 24, 2006


In my experience, tons of people go to the movies on New Years Day. Not that it's a bad suggestion, but if you're looking for privacy that's not the best day to hit the movie theatres.
posted by Juliet Banana at 12:17 PM on November 24, 2006


Planning Day. I was just reading in Stephanie Dowrick's Choosing Happiness LIfe & Soul Essentials that some people choose to have a planning day in January to identify their goals for the upcoming year. You need a new notebook (maybe the famous moleskin? I keep reading about here) some nice pens and lots of coffee. You might consider dividing your year's goal's into these areas (as suggested in the book): spiritual, marriage, family, health, learning, career, friends & service.

She also suggests a mission statement, something like " This will be one of the most stimulating, challenging and rewarding years of our life together" (when they were about to head into a demanding year that stretched their time, patience and finance).

While I personally wouldn't perhaps be as anal as detailed above, I think that planning your future with your partner is one of the most bonding things you can do in a relationship (not counting hot sex of course) and would be a memorable way to start your year together.

Some other options:
*cocoon for the day in front of the box with some themed dvds and easy picking food.
*find a copy of the kama sutra or the joy of sex and try and work through a chapter or so.
*board game marathon - scrabble, clue, monopoly?
posted by b33j at 12:20 PM on November 24, 2006 [1 favorite]


Special Victim's Unit Marathon!

Cat Time!
posted by drezdn at 12:55 PM on November 24, 2006


Go to the zoo. Most zoos are open 365 days a year. Bundle up and hang out in the indoor exhibits when you get too cold. You'll get a whole different perspective on the zoo in the winter. There won't be a lot of people for one thing and the animals are often more active when they're not lethargic from the heat.
I've never been there but from the website it looks like you have a nice one.
Milwaukee Zoo
posted by BoscosMom at 5:37 PM on November 24, 2006


The Domes always has a big New Year's Eve todo, but I'm not sure about the actual day. It's very amazing, especially the big winter/Christmas display.

(and don't rule out warm weather yet. I live ~20 minutes outside of Milw, and we've had about 50 degrees this week. Of course, the lake might be messing that up for those close by.)
posted by niles at 7:41 PM on November 24, 2006


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