I rarely participate in traditional holidays. I skip Thanksgiving gorging, X-mas excess, and especially inebriated New Year's mob scenes. I prefer to be quiet and calm. In that vein I thought I'd share a couple of alternatives to the 'noise'.
New Year's Eve at the Santa Cruz Zen Center:
Tuesday, December 31, 8:30pm
Zazen and walking meditation from 8:30pm until midnight, when the New Year is welcomed in by ringing the bell 108 times (to release the 108 delusions). This will be followed with a fire in the courtyard, letting go of 2013 by burning accumulated scraps and old habits that we aspire to drop away in the coming year. Tea and noodles in the house follow. Everyone is welcome.
Check a zen center in your area.
New Year's Day throughout the country:
On January 1, 2014, all 50 states are offering First Day Hikes in state parks across the country. For California State Parks, the "First Day Hikes" are the kick-off for the sesquicentennial, celebrating 150 years!
Say Amen to longer days and shorter nights…
and longer hikes 🙂
So Sylvie 
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