If you’re planning to celebrate the New Year quietly at home, you’re not alone.
Most American adults intend to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
“As I’ve gotten older over the years, it’s like if I don’t make it to midnight, it’s no big deal, you know?” says Carla Woods, 70, of Vinton, Iowa.
The survey found that about 2 in 10 people will be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, and only 5% are planning to go out to celebrate at a bar, restaurant or organized event.
But many American adults will celebrate the New Year in a different way — by making a resolution. More than half say they will make at least one resolution for 2025.
There is some optimism about the coming year, although more than half are not expecting positive changes. Nearly 4 in 10 say 2025 will be a better year for them personally. About one-third do not expect much difference between 2024 and 2025, and about one-quarter think 2025 will be a worse year than 2024.
New Year’s Eve plans are cozy for many
Courtney Kershaw, a 32-year-old bartender in Chicago, often fields questions from customers and friends about upcoming New Year’s Eve events. There’s a trend toward low-key this year, he said.
“Most people I’ve talked to in my age group want to go out, but they don’t know what they’re going to do because they can’t find anything or things are too expensive,” she says. Said. “Party packages or admission fees are kind of a change, especially with the climate of the world and how much things cost.”
As expected, young people are more interested in wrestling in the New Year at a bar or organized event – 1 in 10 American adults under 30 say they plan to do so. But nearly 3 in 10 seniors – 60 and older – say they won’t celebrate the start of 2025 at all.
Anthony Tremblay, 35, of Pittsburgh, doesn’t usually go out to celebrate the New Year, but this year he has something special planned: He and his wife will travel to Ireland.
“I don’t usually do anything crazy on New Year’s Eve. “So it’s definitely a change,” he said. “I wanted to do something unique this year, so I did.”
Woods will work New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. She answers calls on the Iowa Warmline, a confidential, non-crisis listening line for people struggling with mental health or substance use issues.
“The holidays are really hard for people, so I don’t mind working,” she said. “I’m passionate about it because I have mental health issues in my family and so it’s beneficial for me to be able to help people.”
Young Americans more likely to make resolutions
Every New Year begins the eternal debate about resolutions. Most American adults say they intend to make some kind of New Year’s resolution, but Millennials and Gen Z are especially likely to get on board — nearly two-thirds do so, compared to about half of older adults. Expect to do. Women are more likely than men to say they will set a goal for 2025.
Tremblay hopes to lose some weight and focus more on self-care — more sleep, meditation and breathing exercises. “This is probably a good year to focus on mental health,” he said.
Many others agree. About 3 in 10 adults choose resolutions involving exercise or healthy eating. Nearly one-quarter said they would resolve to lose weight and a similar number said they would resolve to make changes about money or mental health priorities.
Woods’ resolution is to stay social and active. As a mental health counselor, she knows these are vital to a happy life in 2025 and beyond: “Probably one of my biggest resolutions is to try to make sure I’m social, socializing less during the week. Try to get out at least once – go out and either have a coffee or do something with a friend. This is not only for physical but also mental health.
Kershaw, a bartender, says losing weight and better health are the top resolutions he hears from people. “Mental health is new, but I think it’s right up there with regular health,” he said.
She prefers more goal-oriented resolutions and this time, it’s to travel more and see more of the world: “I don’t know if it’s really a resolution, but it’s a goal I’m setting.”
And how will she welcome the arrival of 2025? Usually, she takes the night off and stays home watching movies with lots of snacks, but this year Kershaw has a different plan, perhaps one of the most Chicago things you can do.
The die-hard sports fan will be watching the Chicago Blackhawks take on the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. “Hockey is my favorite game. “So I’ll watch hockey and bring in the new year,” she said.
