The loser's guide to New Year's Eve

Go on a spa date with yourself
So what if the world doesn't pamper you? Save up a few bucks and treat yourself to a fancy facial or a luxurious massage at the nearest spa. Check in around 9 p.m. and try out back-to-back body treatments. When you are done with lots of grooming, chill in their relaxation area armed with a good book. The idea works best if you can coax a
friend to tag along.

Rent a car and drive around
Traffic woes be damned. If sitting at home is getting you down, try renting a fancy car. This way you don't have to suffer in the driver's seat. Instead, sit back and soak in all the madness from behind tinted glasses. Pack yourself some cold cuts and cheese to nibble on in this party-for-one.

Play board games with your neighbours
Board games are always fun – no matter what your age. Gather your neighbours in your flat and bring out your boardgames or request them to bring theirs. Hopefully you won't be the only one alone at home.
Check on your fellow building friends on intercom and invite them over for a night of frolic. Ludo, Pictionary, Taboo, Monopoly… you can play until you are ready to crash.

Bake a complex cake
Baking is not everyone's cup of tea but you can make your next day's chai-time a lot more interesting by cooking up a really complex cake. A multi-layered opera cake or a fab red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting – choose something you haven't made before and get (the eggs) cracking.

Soak up in the tub
A hot water bath might not bring world peace, but it is a sure-shot way to relax and unwind this year. Throw in some bath foam, bath salts, essential oils or rose petals to notch up the experience. Sip on your favourite drink while at it. In case you don't have a bath tub, you can wrap yourself in a body masque (available at all beauty
stores) and listen to some calming music while it dries up.

Set yourself up on a virtual date
This one will require some home work. Find a friend on the other side of the globe and ask them to hook you up on a virtual date. This could be their colleague, college mate, friend of friend – anything! Since it won't be NYE in their part of the world, they won't be pressed for time and you can spend hours getting to know them. While this sounds idiotic at first, you never know where it can go!

Star gaze
If you can borrow a telescope for a night and read up a little bit about constellations, you could make this a night to remember. Star gazing is something we seldom do in a city like Mumbai. This year, go to your terrace with some friends and look at the twinkles up and close. Add to this steaming mugs of hot chocolate and some jazz music for best results.

Make a resolution jar
Get together with your friends, nieces, nephews and write down things you want to try, do or give up in the next year. Put the chits in a jar and place it by your bedside. Spend the year picking one chit per day and promising yourself to follow it through.

Pet sit for your friends
How about starting the New Year with a little act of kindness? Volunteer to babysit your friend's pets for a night. You can spend the night with them in your society park playing, feeding them with animal treats or simply cuddling them. Ensure you take good care of them and take this up only if you love animals.

Shop online
Nothing lifts the spirit like shopping. At night, virtual traffic is usually less, so the orders get processed quickly. Since you have been a good girl/boy all year, treat yourself to that much-eyed pair of heels or that expensive perfume. If you are lucky, you will spot some midnight sales!

Write a script and do stand up with your friends
Instead of throwing a cliched party, do a stand up for your friends. Write down a five minute comedy script and act it out in front of your friends. This could be a funny skit or a stand-up solo act. Do this as a group activity, for there is nothing better than a good belly laughter.

Invite your older family
Be it your grandparents or grandaunt and uncles, throw a cutesy party for all the senior citizens you can think of. This will not only cheer them up, it will also give your party an all new perspective. Plan suitable games and food and make them comfortable. Older folks can be incredibly wise and we are sure you will need some of that wisdom in the upcoming year.

Go for a night trek/camp
A night trek to a nearby hillock, beach or hill station can be incredibly amazing if done with a good guide. Get your gang to pack light, carry some torches, mosquito repellents and warm clothes because 'tis the season!

Make prank calls
We have all done this as kids. Time to re-jig old memories by calling up random numbers from your phone and making prank calls. It's best you call up friend's of friend's or people you know well. Play part of a hysterical mother checking on someone, a faux lucky draw host or something else – but as long as nobody gets hurt.

Set up an urban camp
If you are too lazy to go on a real camp, create a faux one right on your terrace. Pack up your sleeping bag, some munchies, lots of beverages and shack up. You can even open up a tent if you have one. This one will work even better if you can rent or buy a barbecue station. Use it to grill marshmallows.

Play games
If you are someone who will pass out the moment the clock strikes twelve, a good way to kill time until then is with a gaming console. Stock up on some fun video games and battle it out with your friends. If you don't have company, visit sites such as www.bored.com, www.collage.com, studio.stupeflix.com to make fun videos, collages and play solo games.

Have fun with ghost stories and videos
Nothing will keep you up longer than frightening ghost stories. This idea is like a can of worms, once open, there is no stopping. Cosy up with your friends and share the most horrific stories you have ever heard or experienced. And if that's not enough, you all can jointly freak out by looking at real-life ghost videos online.

Paint your shoes
Do a Picasso on your ballet flats and take the babies out on New Year's Day. There are umpteen designs you can download from the Internet, copy them on a tracing paper and transfer it on your old canvas shoes, sneakers or any footwear. Either this, or jazz up your old slippers by stitching baubles on the strap, sticking brooches, etc. This activity is more fun if you have kids over!

Curl up with a good book
This one is undebatable. The one who starts the New Year with a good book, is most likely to have a splendid year ahead. Take a stock of amazing reads and simply curl up in your bed with it.

Clean up your closet
Admit it, your wardrobe needs some urgent cleansing. Don't carry last year's clutter to the next and the best way to do so is by spring-cleaning your wardrobe. Look out for things you haven't worn in the last three months as those should be the first ones to go out. Pack them up and donate it to your favourite charity.

Make a memory board
From movie tickets from your date to boarding passes from your latest holiday, put together the best memories you have had in the last one year and pin them up on a board or chart paper. Do it stylishly so you can paste it on your wall. You can accentuate the memory board by decorating it with some trinkets and keep adding as you go through the year.

Have a sparty with your friends
For this one, you will need your girlfriends over. A sparty is a spa-themed get together. From nail polish stations, beauty games, hair braiding to face masque making – this event is best enjoyed if you are in your teens. The dress code for this party should be strictly pyjamas!

Make an elaborate meal for yourself
Is there a Russian pudding that you always wanted to try? Or a pizza that you ate on your holiday in Italy? Google some elaborate recipes and cook yourself a meal to remember. Enhance the experience by setting up a perfect table – complete with cutlery and fancy china.

Movie marathon
Whether you go for gushy romcoms or scary horror movies – watching the clock strike twelve while you watch Orlando Bloom's face is fulfilling. Stock up on at least three good DVDs and watch them back to back.

Dance alone
Dance like no one is watching goes an old adage. New Year's Eve is a perfect time to line up all your favourite numbers (we won't judge you for Bollywood) and dance the night away. This is a good way to burn calories and begin the year in the best spirits.