Given the times we are in, it seemed appropriate to talk about doing the last big celebration of the year in a more subdued and economical fashion this year. The following are an assortment of ideas gleaned from the web and from my own personal experience.
 
KICK IT HOME-SCHOOL STYLE
Avoid the lines, the expense, the other drunks, and the once-a-year pretenders and do your party at home. You can have all your best mates over and if you’re the host, you don’t even have to drive home when the party is over. Pick a theme (or not), dress it up to the nines or keep it casual, or do what my friends and I are doing and have it be a cocktail party. My good friend E and I are doing the food. Our guests are bringing wine and/or other beverages and we’re keeping it low-key and low cost. Besides, when it comes to parties, it really is whom you’re with and not where you are or what you’re doing. Of course it doesn’t hurt that E and A have a beautiful home for entertaining. We’ve even scheduled ours a day early so as to avoid the drunks on the road and other such unpleasantness.
 
SHOP FOR THE BARGAINS
Given the economy and the slow-down in the hospitality industry (most of my friends tell me that business is down 20% to 50%), there are a great many bargains to be had. Do a Google search or just call your favorite bar, restaurant, hotel and ask what they’ve got going on. Be sure to mention that you are a regular and see what they will offer.
 
GO NATIVE
Some of the casinos are offering a completely free New Year’s Eve experience. No they are not fools. The intention is to have you get happy and just a little liquored up on free booze so that you’ll spend all the money that you would have saved at the blackjack, roulette, and poker tables. Be sure to set limits before you go as to how much you will gamble and as with any holiday party, be sure to designate a sober driver. Nothing dampens the spirit of the New Year more than starting it out with a suspended license or worse.
 
RANDOM IDEAS FROM THE WEB
Use what you like or look for your own. Mostly just have a safe and happy New Year. 
I’ve also included notes from a NY Times tasting of great sparkling wines under $20. Don’t forget my personal favorite, Christalino Spanish Cava. It is dollar for dollar one of the most enjoyable sparklers available.   Cheers, Chuck 
 
Here are some ideas to have fun on New Year’s without breaking the bank:
·                       Make a time capsule and bury it in the backyard. Resolve to dig it up in five, ten, or twenty year’s time.
·                       Bake goodies for friends and family.
·                       Host a "dessert party," which does not bear the same expense as making an entire dinner.
·                       Make hot chocolate or apple cider in either non-alcoholic or alcoholic versions.
·                       Dress up a little more than usual, to garner a little more excitement.
·                       Buy a bottle of almond champagne, usually only about $10 a bottle at local Rite-Aid or Vons stores.
·                       Put streamers or sparkly ribbons on anything – tablecloths, old cardboard paper towel holders, chairs and other furniture.

Tasting Report: They Aren’t Champagne, but They Do Sparkle
Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Carneros Brut 2004
$20
***
Toasty, creamy, elegant and lively with flavors of apple and lemon.
Contadi Castaldi Franciacorta Brut NV
$19
***
Dry and light with lovely floral, mint and spice aromas. (Importer: Blavod Extreme Spirits, Franklin, Tenn.)
Parigot & Richard Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Blanc de Blancs NV
$20
***
Dry, refreshing with floral aromas and flavors of lime and brioche. (Willette Wines/A Becky Wasserman Selection, Manhasset, N.Y.)
BEST VALUE
Domaine J. Laurens Crémant de Limoux Brut Blanc de Blancs NV
$13
** 1/2
Dry and textured with refreshing flavors of citrus and flowers. (Vigneron Imports, Oakland, Calif.)
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut NV
$19
** 1/2
Light, dry and Champagne-like with flavors of lemon and grapefruit.
Fabrice Gasnier Chinon Blanc de Noir La Cravatine NV
$17
**
Dry and frothy with lively citrus flavors. (Petit Pois/Sussex Wine Merchants, Moorestown, N.J.)
Piper Sonoma Sonoma County Brut Blanc de Blancs Select Cuvée NV
$17
**
Light and straightforward with flavors of lemon and apple.
Gloria Ferrer Carneros Brut Blanc de Blancs 2004
$20
**
Light and frothy with aromas of lemon, apple and mushroom.
Segura Viudas Cava Brut Reserva Heredad NV
$20
**
Bright and lively with herbal, floral and citrus flavors. (Freixenet, Sonoma, Calif.)
Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Blanc de Blancs NV
$20
**
Light and crisp with aromas of anise, tarragon and peach. (Pasternak Wine Imports, Harrison, N.Y.)