5 Low Cost New Year’s Eve Options

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on December 17, 2013 and was updated on December 24, 2015.

If you are someone that enjoys a big blowout for New Year’s Eve with a restaurant, nightclub and all that fun stuff, that’s great. But if you have a few more holiday bills than you planned for, or you’re saving up for a major event or purchase in 2016, we have some ideas for you.

Here are some great low-cost options to celebrate the turning of the year.

1. Stay at Home

While this one is the obvious choice, it’s probably the last resort for a person who wants to celebrate New Year’s with a bang. If you’ve got a family and you want to celebrate New Year’s together, it’s a great option. Cook a bunch of appetizers up to nosh on throughout the evening; Epicurious.com is a great place to find some awesome stuff you can make cheaply at home. One thing I’ve learned about this site – stick to the recipes with a Four Fork rating. Fun activities with the kids and a bottle of champagne for when they finally collapse can round out the evening. Big plus: yoga pants instead of nylons.

2. Rent a Cottage With Friends

For many people without kids, Christmas is for family and New Year’s is for friends. Reconnect with your buddies by sharing the cost of a rental cabin for a couple of nights over New Year’s. Cabins near popular vacation spots may already be sold out, but more out-of-the-way spots should still be available. If a few of you are going in on it, it will be cheaper than a hotel, and you can pack snowshoes and skis to get out and enjoy the fresh air. CottagesinCanada.com has a few good spots to pick from in Alberta.

Reconnect with your buddies by sharing the cost of a rental cabin for a couple of nights over New Year’s.

3. Check out Local Festivities

If you live in an urban area, there’s probably a free fireworks display, concert, or other celebration going on. These are usually free, and all they require from you is the willingness to bundle up and be willing to stand around in the cold.

4. Have A Party

Keeping with the “friends going in on expenses” theme, why not throw your own party? If nobody is willing to host it at their house, community centres and similar spots around town usually have small event halls for rent for a low cost. If everyone brings something to it and your music nerd friend is willing to DJ, all you need are some decorations and an event license for alcoholic drinks if you plan to serve them.

If you live in an urban area, there’s probably a free fireworks display, concert, or other celebration going on.

5. Have a Plan to Get Home

Whatever you choose to do for New Year’s Eve, make sure you’re an active participant in making sure that your friends get home safely. If you do go out, have a designated driver, and a plan to host friends who may be coming over for a couple of pints. Make sure non-alcoholic options and lots of water are on hand if you’re serving refreshments.

Although point 5 might not seem like a low cost option... I assure you it is. The last thing you want to do is drive under the influence and wreck someone's life...

Whatever you plan on doing over the holidays, have a safe and happy time!

We’re looking forward to bringing you more good stuff on the #OwnGrowProtect blog in 2016.