Don’t just Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

If there are two unforgettable things which mark the end of the year 2016 in India, it is the two ‘D’s, demonetisation and Dangal. While demonetisation must have left you breathless with countless trips to the bank and ATMs, Dangal is a lovely celluloid tribute to woman power in the world of sports.

Play Santa to your kids: After a spate of adult parties in the run up to the New Year, let’s think about children as 2016 winds up. Plan a party for your kids or a neighbour’s child who adds so much joy to your life. Bake a cake or order one they will love. Liven up your place with jingly Christmas bells, ribbons and a giant size Santa Claus. Play some music they can dance to. And do not forget to take snaps of what will be a lovely memory in the years to come...

Celebrate at an NGO nearby: It is not mandatory that you have to burn a hole in your pocket by going to an expensive club to party on the 31st night. You’ve been there, done that. Spend one day of the New Year weekend at an NGO, where you can buy lunch for orphaned or destitute kids or maybe a bagful of New Year goodies like chocolates and cake! 

Make a budget, Rs 100 per child would be enough to buy them lunch and a small packet of nibbles. See their faces light up with a smile you never thought would be possible with just some nibbles.

Play your favourite music: With George Michael, Prince and David Bowie gone in the same year, there is a lot of nostalgia in the air, musically speaking. Play their hit songs, like ‘Last Christmas’, ‘Careless Whisper’ and ‘Wake me up’, before you go, go! Get someone from your neighbourhood who strums the guitar and who can sing. Invite people over who will enjoy live music. Serve some Goanese port wine and fruit cake if you want to create the ambience of a musical night. 

Visit an art gallery/ handicrafts fair: This is the season where everybody loves to go out and soak in the sunshine and there’s plenty of art and handicrafts on display in your city. Apart from shows by eminent artists, art galleries organise their annual shows at this time of the year. Spend the last day of the year seeing some striking paintings and maybe, picking up some art for home?

Organise a sports do for senior citizens: This is one section of society we take for granted – almost always. So why not organise a sports event for them and watch them glow with excitement? They would love musical chairs, limited-over cricket matches, crossword puzzles, chess and ludo. Pool in money for buying them gifts like they could use during the wintry season. Books would also make for great gifts for those who have retired from work but are addicted to reading.

Attend a marathon: Even if you have partied hard on December 31, don’t fret. Just join a friendly marathon that will burn all those extra calories you drank up in the Christmas week. Running is becoming a rage all over India as it is abroad. Run along with a group of friends who share common interests or an office group, you already bond with. You can follow it up with a healthy breakfast at a coffee shop where you can discuss the headlines of the first news of  the new year!