Forget partying

2014 is right around the corner but before the New Year begins, we have to ring it in the right way. There are bound to be various New Year's Eve parties, like every year. But there are many other fun things you can do to welcome in the New Year. If you're interested in SCO's alternate New Year's Eve ideas, then keep reading.

Light Shows

Around the holidays, many businesses and locations display aesthetically pleasing arranged lights. Fun idea: go walk through the light show by yourself or even better, with a few friends. If you're interested, check out some of the local light displays, such as Zoo Lights at the Smithsonian National Zoo or The Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens.

Zoo lights

Photo: Going to a light show is a great way to spend new year's eve.

Going to a light show is a great way to spend new year's eve. Photo courtesy of Mikepolk.com .

Movie Marathon

Whether you're by yourself or with a group of friends, watching all your favorite movies is a great way to take off the edge and relax after a long year. Gather up a bunch of movies that make you feel good and watch them into the New Year. You could even watch all the movies from a series you enjoy like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings.

Go to New York

Every year millions of people watch the ball drop in New York City on TV. However, a fun alternative to this is actually taking a trip up to New York for the day to watch the ball drop in person. Though I have never done this before, I plan to at some point in my life and it seems like an adventurous way to start off another new year.

Time with Loved Ones

Around the holidays, a lot of people are in town that may not usually be: college friends, extended family and even parents. A great way to take advantage of them being around is to spend New Year's Eve with them. You can plan a fun night then catch up and ring in the New Year with someone who is special to you.

At-Home Spa

A great way to enter the New Year is to relax and think about everything that happened in 2013. I find that a great way to really relax is to pretend you're at a spa. Take a nice bubble bath, do facials, paint your nails, or put the shower on a really high temperature and pretend you're in a sauna. Whatever you try, just remember to unwind into the New Year.

Whichever New Year's Eve option you try, just remember to have fun. The commencement of another year should be a happy time for starting fresh. Try to unwind and go into the New Year content and joyful. Good luck and Happy 2014!