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“Do you have any plans for New Year’s Eve yet?” my sister asked me on the phone.
We were organizing Christmas Day as we’ll both be in Perth and will have an orphan’s Christmas together.
“God no. Last year I struggled to stay awake and fell asleep at 12:01am. New Year’s hasn’t been a big thing for me since having kids. I’m usually not that bothered about it, although this year I might feel like celebrating.”
MY LATEST VIDEOSShe’s going to think of something exciting we can do. Go Sis!
I think the last exciting New Year’s Eve I had was in 2004 watching fireworks over the Statue of Liberty at a friend’s house party in New York. As we say in Australia that was pretty speccy.
Life started to turn a little sour after that, so I was nonplussed about celebrating a year just gone and welcoming in the next one with hope and promise. And it’s hard to celebrate in a large fashion when you have two young children. Now they’re getting older we can slowly bring back the New Year’s groove.
This year my attitude is a little more upbeat and hopeful and after a year of amazing memories and achievements, I think I should take the time to stay awake and celebrate. My New Year’s resolution will be the same as every year: to make this year better than the last.
There’s no pressure with that resolve, yet gives you some serious intention and focus.
What’s your dream New Year’s Eve 11:59pm moment?
My 11:59pm moment will be with family and friends toasting to amazing memories, laughter, and a belief in hopes and dreams again. I’m not too fussed at what I’ll be looking at as long as it involves some stars and my beautiful baby girls.
Oh and perhaps a little bubble in my champagne glass.
What about you? Is New Year’s Eve a big thing in your world? Do you plan out your 11:59pm moment or are you struggling to keep the eyes opened?
I’ve checked off two NYE bucket lists – New York City and Hogmanay. I’ve one more to go – the fireworks over Sydney Harbour. I will make that a serious celebration, possibly on a boat with people I love.
That would have to be the most amazing 11:59pm moment ever.
Need a little New Year’s Eve inspiration?
Here are a few dream 11:59 moments from amazing properties around the world.
Be warned your travel lust will be raised by looking at these experiences. My bucket list has just grown after checking these out and discovering places and experiences I never thought of before.
Here are a few of my favourites:
Park Hyatt Sydney

The Park Hyatt, Sydney is between the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and boasts the best view of one of the world’s most expensive public displays as AUS $7,000,000 worth of fireworks are set off in celebration.
Hilton Hotel Suites Niagara Falls

I never thought of this as a New Year’s Eve moment. Pretty special to watch the fireworks light up the misty waters of Niagara Falls below from the Hilton Hotel Suites Niagara Falls.
The Landings, Saint Lucia

A bit more of a relaxing New Year’s Eve moment, which involves cocktails, hot tubs and ocean views. Go Saint Lucia!
Belmond, Copacabana Beach, Rio De Janeiro

One of the biggest parties in the world in Rio De Janeiro can be seen from your private balcony, or you can just hit the ground below to dance your heart out with other revelers on the street.
Hotel Avannaa, Ilulissat , Greenland

This is a special artic New Year’s moment in Greenland – fireworks bursting over the Ilulissat Icefjord. Amazeballs.
Nosy Saba Island Resorts, Madagascar
Your own private beach on Madagascar awaits for a personal and magical New Years with those you love.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh

Hogmanay in Edinburgh is definitely a New Year’s Eve experience you want to have. It’s a fantastic party and the fireworks over Edinburgh Castle are stunning.
Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives

The Maldives has been on my bucket list for years. Beach bars, cocktails, starry skies and toasts to paradise.
Return to Paradise Resort, Samoa

For those who want to be the first to see the New Years in. Watch 2014 draw to a close by the sparkling waters of Paradise Beach. As one of the first places on Earth to move into 2015, you can toast your 11:59 moment as you meander through the tropical gardens, cocktail in hand. Just be sure to let us all know what the New Year looks like!
Santa Claus Holiday Village, Finland

This one is definitely for the kids. Santa and his elves and reindeers greet you at this wintery retreat. You can snuggle in front of the fire or step outside to witness the Northern Lights. I think staying at the Santa Claus village might be the moment I’d like to win for New Year’s 2015.
Your New Year’s locations look wonderful. Just need some time to think through options, all seem delightful.
Agreed. Each one of the 24 options would be awesome!
I have a plan to visit Egypt an boarding a flight at 11.55PM on 31st Dec. So will celebrate the New Year in plane. Will be a new experience for me. let see
That’s very cool. Enjoy your trip Michael. And don’t forget to enter our giveaway 🙂
All selected spots are amazing, and at every moment during reading your post it was difficult for me to select one of them because all of them are stupendous. Thanks again Craig for sharing this nice post
My 2015 Near Years Eve dream. I’ve chatted withson in UK this morning, now had some champers with dinner, want to have a “nanna nap” so I can be up when he Skypes us with our UK family at 11.59. Can’t be there physically, but can be there thru Skype.
Wow! Nice places for NYE, I would definitely go tonight to one of the Scandinavian countries or Lapland and watch some Northern Lights as New Year fireworks!
Cheers
Murvin
Thanks for posting this awesome chance. My dream ia to celebrate in Hawai. All the best for you in 2015!!
Happy New Year, wow, I thought answering this would be easy, few days in and I’m still not 100% sure, so many beautiful places. 🙂 I have the Times Square Live feed on right now, freezing cold there though. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the awesome blog.Happy New Year 2015
How i wish I could visit the East Coast specifically New York this coming 2015 with my sisters who are based in the East Coast. It will be a dream come true. God bless my dreams! Nothing is impossible with God!
Amazing destinations to suit everyone’s taste. Since I had surgery yesterday and couldn’t celebrate bringing in 2015 this would mean the world to me. I’m grateful to have an amazing husband who spent every minute by my side. We’ve reschedule celebrating for a few weeks. On the positive note, there won’t be any crowds. Happy New Year!
Return to Paradise Resort, Samoa. Amazing… Wonderful place…
Anytime I must be there.
Those are some awesome places to be for the New Year! This year I will be in the rural northern Thailand and really look forward it! The sky there is still clear enough to see thousands of stars and the people are so nice it’s always a great time!