How to celebrate sober this New Year's Eve

Metro Creative Services

Revelry and New Year’s Eve tend to go hand in hand. When the world-renowned ball drops in Times Square at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, many a celebrant toasts the arrival of a new year with a glass of champagne, a tradition that underscores the role alcohol plays on the final day of the year.

Though alcohol is readily available on New Year’s Eve, there are still plenty of ways for individuals to celebrate sober. This New Year’s Eve, individuals looking to avoid alcohol can consider these fun ways to ring in the new year.

•Make it a marathon until midnight. Time zones feature prominently on New Year’s Eve, but the excitement sci-fi fans feel come New Year’s Eve has everything to do with a more unique zone. “The Twilight Zone” is a beloved fantasy science fiction horror anthology television series that ran for five seasons between 1959-64. In years past, the SyFy channel in the U.S. has run a “Twilight Zone” marathon each New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Fans of the classic show can cuddle up and watch all the classic episodes. Viewers who don’t necessarily want to watch “The Twilight Zone” can take inspiration from the SyFy channel and create their own themed movie or television show marathon and invite like-minded friends over for a fun night in.

•Host a sober party. Parties are popular on New Year’s Eve, and there’s nothing stopping sober celebrants from getting in on the fun. Host a party at home and let guests know the party will be a sober affair. Prepare or cater a sit-down dinner for guests, who will have plenty of time before midnight to engage in conversation with their hosts and fellow celebrants. Arrange for games to be played throughout the night after dinner and be sure to have a television showing a broadcast of coverage from Times Square or another notable locale where people gather to ring in the new year.

•Travel overseas. If you typically spend New Year’s Eve in your home country, consider an overseas trip to take in how people in another part of the world usher in the new year. There’s no shortage of locales with memorable celebrations. Some spots to consider include Sydney, Australia, which hosts a breathtaking fireworks show each New Year’s Eve, and Edinburgh, Scotland, where a three-day festival culminates with a fireworks display near Edinburgh Castle.

•Take in some entertainment. Many concert venues are booked on New Year’s Eve, when a mix of new and old musical acts take to the stage and typically play until the clock strikes 12, if not beyond. These shows tend to be memorable affairs and make for an ideal way to ring in the new year without alcohol.

Alcohol may seem like a must-have on New Year’s Eve. But individuals aspiring to stay sober this Dec. 31 have many options to celebrate without having a drink.