Jackson Free Press

So if you're looking to spend it safely at home, with your own New Year's Eve party for friends and loved ones, check out the following resources for throwing a New Year's Eve bash to remember.

Celebrate
Just because you aren't in New York doesn't mean you can't have a ball drop as the clock strikes midnight. Make your own at home by putting paper mache or tin foil around a large inflated balloon. Surround the prepared balloon with strings of Christmas lights, the more the better. Hoist up with a string inside or out and run an extension cord to a near-by socket. When you are ready to count down, plug in the ball and lower slowly. You'll feel just like Dick Clark—in a good way.

Cheers
Impress your friends with how many languages in which can you say "cheers." French: A votre santé. German: Prosit. Irish: Slainte. Hebrew: L'chaim. Italian: Salute. Korean: Konbai. Spanish: Salúd. Polish: Na zdrowie.

Toast
Kir royals are a classic way to ring in the New Year and easy to make. Place 1/2 teaspoon of crème de cassis in a Champagne flute; fill with Champagne and garnish with a lemon or blackberry twist.

You can also make a delicious and easy punch for your guests. Mix 2 quarts white grape juice, 16 ounces club soda (or champagne) and 4 liters of Sprite in a large punch bowl. Serve cold.

Embellish
Find an unused pair of sunglasses and adorn the rims with feathers, sparkles and anything that will stick. Glitter is the key to success. You can do the same thing with headbands, necklaces, top hats and cups. Let your imagination and Bedazzler run wild!

Decorate
String white LED lights around your house like you would with streamers. Tie party favors and noisemakers together with pieces of ribbon for people to grab as the night progresses. Use black plastic top hats as appetizer dishes and fill with pretzels, chips and candies. Blow up black and silver balloons to hang around your house. Use a black tablecloth for your food table and sprinkle with confetti.

Dance
A few days before New Year's Eve, create the perfect playlist for your party. Or, you could go out on the town to get your dance on. Full list of places to party here.

Play
Give the kids something to do, too! During the day, you can occupy their busy hands by having them make confetti eggs. Poke a tiny hole in the top and a slightly larger hole in the bottom of an egg and blow out the yolk. Fill the egg with confetti. Glue a piece of paper over the larger hole and decorate the egg with paint and glitter. Make a few and then when the clock strikes midnight, your kids will have fun throwing and smashing the eggs. The kids can also make and decorate their own party hats and party blowers.

Feast
Hoppin' John is a southern tradition we can't live without. But did you know that grapes, fish, cakes and pork are also lucky foods to eat on New Year's? Unlucky foods include chicken (because of their backward scratching motion) and lobster (because they walk backward). We only want progress in the new year!