New Year's Day Activity Guide - Boston

The query came from my son-in-law, Etan, via Twitter. Apparently he or a colleague was seeking stories from people in the Orlando area doing something unusual to celebrate New Year’s Day. Since I’m in Boston, I didn’t bother responding.

Feel free to challenge me on this. But aren’t there a limited number of New Year’s Day celebration scenarios for those of us living in the Hub?

(1) Hosting brunch for friends. In my house this means a trip to Whole Foods for a quiche, smoked salmon, cream cheese and an enormous fruit salad – supplemented by a trip to Panera Bread where they slice large numbers of bagels with a smile. Dennis is fussy about flowers, and loves Winston’s, where he has a loyalty card.

(2) Joining the L Street Brownies for an early morning dip in Boston Harbor. With memories of once having waded into the Dead Sea when the temperature was a balmy 40 degrees, I’ve always wanted to join the 600 or so crazies gathering at the beach in South Boston. Though it’s 11 degrees in Boston this morning, temperatures are expected to climb later in the week. Attention weenies, don’t even think about a wet suit.

(3) Going to the gym. If you lacked the discipline to stick with sparkling water at holiday parties and binged on large, candied orange slices dipped in dark chocolate, this could be a smart choice. My own fitness center will offer a 12 Noon spinning class, but that’s just about the time my brunch guests will be arriving. Warning: Beware of those gyms packed with newbie’s coerced into exercise by holiday gift memberships from concerned family members.

(4) Taking stock of one’s financial position. During those years when I was a young widow looking down the road to the day Daphne would start college, I spent New Year’s Day tallying up my portfolio. The S&P 500 was having a good run in those years, and except for losses from Enron, National Medical Enterprises, and Tyco, I found it comforting to perform this exercise. Certainly a more appealing option this year than last, I think I’ll take a pass on this ritual. Besides, it’s been more than a decade since Daphne graduated from Barnard.

(5) Finalizing plans for that perfect winter vacation. The 11 degree temperatures evoke memories of late January trips to the Caribbean with Daphne and her dad – when she was still young enough to miss a week of school. I can only dream of leaving a frigid Boston in the early morning, arriving at Barbados Beach Village just in time to enjoy a West Indian sunset while swimming laps in the pool. With my daughter living in Orlando, she eschewed the idea of a tropical mother-daughter vacation. I can enjoy New Year’s Day knowing my bag is packed for our post New Year’s trip to Paris.

(6) Making New Year’s resolutions. This need not be a trite ritual involving putting more money into one’s 401K, eliminating debt, eating sensible food, getting more exercise, keeping one’s desk more tidy, curtailing one’s alcohol intake, or using public transportation as often as possible. I think I’ll focus on working more efficiently so there’s more time for play.