Some people call it amateur night.
Others plan the night weeks in advance, getting reservations at a restaurant with dancing, wine or beer and champagne to toast the New Year. In Danbury, Molly Darcy's offers the whole package. In Newtown, will have music and dancing and a special menu as well.
Others find a bar will simply do.
When you ask others where they are spending New Year's Eve, they respond: "The couch." When asked to elaborate, they often cite many reasons for wanting to stay home. Some want to save their money. They don't want to be outside, preferring to stay in, where it's warm and comfortable. Where they can eat what they want and watch movies or TV and go to bed whenever they feel like it.
There are those who are more adventurous and head to Times Square in NYC, braving the cold, the crowds and the lack of bathroom facilities, to watch the famous ball drop at midnight.
Another popular choice is going to a house party or hosting your own, where you know most of the guests and most likely won't have to drive too far. (And where you won't have to accept those friendly "Happy New Year!" kisses from near strangers). And if someone drinks too much, they can take the guest room. Or a friend - a sober driver - can give them a ride home.
For those with children, the night can be all about the kids, watching movies with them, or hosting their friends over for sleepovers. Or parents can put the children to bed before midnight and then start their dinner and movie (for movies with a New Year's theme, click , where Woodbury-Middlebury LE Jaimie Cura compiled a top 10 list) and then at midnight watch the ball drop in the comfort of their own home.
Or they could do what a couple I know does. They pretend that 9 p.m. is midnight and start the countdown with their very young children shortly before "midnight", which is really 9 p.m. so their children can be part of the excitement. Then, they put their children to bed and have the rest of the night to themselves.
