New Years Eve

New Years Eve celebrations have been around for thousands of years and are actually the oldest of all holidays. The time of celebration has changed according to the calendar adopted at the time. At the present time, we follow the Gregorian calendar and celebrate this holiday as the end of the Old Year (Dec 31st). It's a time of hope for new and good things to come! 

My son Ryan, and his wife Marlene taking silly pictures on New Years Eve 2011!

History of New Years Eve

The video below gives a great overview of the History of this holiday:

2016 Events in Truckee

If you venture out on New Years Eve, and plan to drink, either get a room close to where you are partying, or be sure to have a designated driver. In most places, there is often free ride service home. More details on the events below can be found on the Truckee Travel Guide's Truckee Event Calendar:

• Fire & Ice New Years Eve Celebration at Northstar - 9pm - There will be a DJ, live music by Jean Genies - a David Bowie Tribute, a spectacular Fireworks show, smores, drink specials, shopping, dining, ice skating and more! For more info check out their website page for the event!
• Moody's Bistro and Lounge - New Year's Eve Dinner Menu plus The George Souza Band at 8pm.  Facebook Event Invite
• The Ritz-Carlton, Highlands Lake Tahoe at Northstar - New Years Eve menu at the Manzanita Restaurant (fabulous!) with seatings from 4pm to 10pm, and a New Years Eve Celebration in the Living Room from 9pm to 1am.
• Tahoe Donner - Ring in New Years at The Lodge Seatings will be available from 5 – 10 p.m. Enjoy a special celebratory menu with a free champagne toast at midnight! Reservations are required: (530) 587-9455
• Torchlight Parade on New Years Eve - Tahoe Donner Downhill - ring in the new year with a light parade on skis, a fireworks show (new in 2017), and end the evening with a karaoke party! 

2016 Events at Lake Tahoe

• Jake's on the Lake - New Years Eve Celebration - Tahoe City, 2 dinner seatings and a DJ Dance party that starts at 10pm and runs until 1am. For reservations: (530) 583-0188. View their flyer and menu's here!
• River Ranch Lodge New Year's Eve Dinner. Reservations are available from 5:00-10:00 p.m. They'll have party hats and champagne at midnight. Ring in the New Year at the River Ranch. For Reservations: (530) 583-4264.
• South Lake Tahoe and Stateline will be a very happening place! The casino strip area will be closed to traffic, to allow for a big street party. Many places are hosting events, including MontBleu (New Years Eve Perfection Party), Vex Nightclub in Harrah's Lake Tahoe, and Heavenly Village will be celebrating with ice skating, fireworks, live music, and a gondola drop!

2016 Events in Olympic Valley

Resort at Squaw Creek: Lots going on this year!

• Kid's Night Out New Year's Eve Bash
• New Year's Eve Dinner and Grand Celebration Dinner
• New Year's Eve Dinner at Six Peaks Grille
• Teen's Night Out New Year's Eve Bash

Find out all the Details from the Resort at Squaw Creek Event Calendar for 12/31/16

Squaw Valley: Tons of activities for kids and adults, fireworks, parties, live music in the Village.  Find out all the details here: http://squawalpine.com/events-things-do/new-year%E2%80%99s-eve-squaw-valley-alpine-meadows

Fireworks at Squaw Valley - Photo Credit: Chris Beck (used with permission from Squaw Valley's Media area on their website)

2016 Events in Reno

New Years Eve Traditions Include:

• Out with the "Old" and in with the "New", symbolizing a new start!
• Dick Clark and Ryan Seacreast hosting the evening festivities!
• Dips, dips, and more dips! Little Smokies anyone?
• Saying "Happy New Year" as the clock strikes midnight!
• Watching the ball drop in New York Times Square and counting down the seconds!
• Staying home in your pajamas with the family and watching a Star Wars, Twilight Zone, Star Trek, or other favorite movie marathon!
• Parties, parties and more parties! Which one will you attend?
• Drinking and eating way too much! No thinking about healthy diet habits allowed!
• "Champagne Toasting" at midnight to ring in the New Year!
• Crazy hats, masks, glasses, glitter, and noisemakers for New Years Eve!

My daughter in law, Marlene (far left) and some of her friends at their annual Party she hosts.

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well known in many countries, especially (but far from exclusively) in the English-speaking world; its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight.

Traditional New Years Eve Foods:

• Eating certain foods during New Years is said to bring you good luck!
• Foods in the shape of a ring symbolize coming full circle, completing a year’s cycle.
• Foods vary depending on the party that you attend. Many are gourmet feasts and many are just an array of various dips, appetizers, and finger foods! Anything goes! It's about welcoming in the New Year with your friends and family and not about healthy diet habits!

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The end of the year is full of excitement! The holiday season is ending, and there is hope for the New Year to come!