1
Go to the Movies
Klaus Vedfelt
If you didn't make it out to see anything new in theaters in 2023, treat yourself to a movie on New Year's Day. Make it extra special and go all out with all of your favorite snacks.
2
Start a New Book
Fiordaliso
If your resolution included reading more books in the new year, this is the perfect way to get started. Pick out a novel that piques your interest and spend the day diving in.
See the best new books of 2024»
3
Treat Yourself to an at Home Spa Day
Ivan Pantic
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4
Try out a New Restaurant
SolStock
Part of the beauty of the new year is having a fresh start. Why not ring it in by trying out some new cuisine with your besties?
5
Go on a Hike
The Good Brigade
Plan a hike with family or friends and enjoy some fresh air. Bonus points if you bring your pup!
6
See a Disney on Ice Show
Roberto Machado Noa
This is something fun to do with the kids! Enjoy watching one of their favorite Disney movies come to life on ice! What could be better than that?
PURCHASE TICKETS
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7
Host Brunch
Mike Garten
Begin the year surrounded by family, friends — and lots of carbs. Or eggs. And coffee. Your plan to eat healthier in 2024 can wait until after breakfast, right?
Get New Year's Day recipes »
8
Do Something Outdoorsy
Courtesy of The William Vale Rink/NYCGo.com
Bring your skates to a permanent or pop-up rink (such as the Vale Rink in New York City, pictured here), strap on those snow shoes and go for a hike or find a nearby hill that does snow tubing, and you'll start off the year by making some good memories.
9
Do a Deep Clean
stevecoleimages
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If you didn't use the KonMari method on your house before the holidays in anticipation of getting a bunch of new Christmas presents, you're probably sitting on mounds of stuff that need to be organized, sorted, cleaned or tossed. Tackle one area of the house starting on Day One.
See our best organizing tips »
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13
Binge a TV Marathon
CBS Photo Archive//Getty Images
To some, it is a hallowed tradition to spend January 1 on the couch, watching TV and recovering from the night before. Many channels have helpfully enabled this with daylong (or week-long) marathons of classic shows: Syfy usually hosts a Twilight Zone bonanza each December; WPIX often shows The Honeymooners; and BBC America sometimes does a days-long Dr. Who binge. If that doesn't suit your tastes, well, you can always watch something on Netflix, Hulu or Disney+.
14
Or Just Watch One Movie
Columbia Pictures
If you're no couch potato and the idea of taking in a whole TV marathon seems a bit too much, try sampling just one New Year's movie instead. From The Gold Rush to Ghostbusters II to When Harry Met Sally, some of the greatest movies take place at the turn of a new year.
See the Best New Year's movies »
15
Get Cracking on That Resolution
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You've vowed to stay motivated and go to the gym. To eat out less and cook easy meals at home. To take time to meditate or get organized or practice gratitude. Whatever you've chosen as your New Year's Resolution, if you take time to tackle it on January 1, you can boast that you have a perfect streak of doing whatever it is for 2024. And if you haven't picked one yet? Well, there's still time to be inspired.
How to keep a resolution »
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16
Organize a Re-Gift Swap
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By now, the last of the holiday gifts have trickled in from far-off relatives and other well-wishers — and not all of them hit the mark. It's truly the thought that counts, but you don't have to keep that not-to-your-taste knickknack just because someone gifted it to you. Instead, host a swap meet for re-gifts — or do your own White Elephant exchange — and see if you can find it a home where it'll be truly appreciated.
Learn how to host a White Elephant party »
17
Cheer for Your Favorite College Football Team
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There are always Bowl games scheduled for New Year's Day, and you can usually dip in or out at any point in the afternoon or night. At that rate, who needs a Super Bowl? (Though it does give you a good opportunity to test out some Super Bowl snacks.)
Get the game schedule »
18
Check out a Parade
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If big to-dos like Philadelphia's Mummers Parade or Pasadena's Tournament of Roses are not too far from where you live, you can take advantage of your location and watch them in person. If not, other towns near you might organize smaller, more local parades you can still be a spectator at.
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19
Start a 30-Day Challenge
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If December is extra — as in extra drinking, extra eating or extra spending — January offers the chance to issue a corrective. It's no wonder that people wait until the new year to take on monthlong challenges like Whole30, Dry January or the 52-Week Money Challenge. If you have a mini-goal that you don't think is right for a year-long resolution, see if you can get it out of the way that first month.
Get the best mocktail recipes »
20
Sign up for a Run
FatCamera//Getty Images
Start your year off on a healthy note. January 1 races are an annual tradition, and this year many of them are still in full force with "virtual" races. From the Running of the Lights in Clemmons, North Carolina — which usually starts when the clock strikes midnight — to the New York Road Runner Midnight Run in New York City, these races mean people are planning to start their year at a speedy clip.
Find a race near you »
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