Technically, 2024 began hours ago when people of the Line Islands, Samoa, and Tonga celebrated at midnight. But for most of America, the New Year doesn't really begin until the Waterford Crystal-encrusted ball drops in Times Square.
As popular as that tradition is, however, attending it in person can be an expensive (and stressful) affair. Why spend New Year's Ever surrounded by drunk strangers when you can surround yourself with friends (and Champagne or Prosecco)? It's warmer. The food's better. And there is a myriad of ways to watch the ball and its 32,256 LEDs drop—even if you're far away from a television screen.
