“As I’ve gotten older over the last few years, it’s like if I don’t make it to midnight, it’s not a big deal, you know?” Carla Woods, 70, from Vinton, Iowa told The Associated Press.
The poll revealed that nearly 20% of people will be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, while only 5% are planning to go out to a bar, restaurant, or organised events.
However, many US adults will celebrate in their own way — by making a New Year’s resolution. More than half said that they’ll set at least one goal for 2025.
While there is some optimism about the year ahead, over half of the respondents polled by AP-NORC don’t expect a major positive change. About 40% believe 2025 will be a better year for them personally, while one-third expect little difference between 2024 and 2025, and a quarter fear 2025 will be worse.
Also read | New Year 2025: Cruise parties and beach destinations
For many, relaxed New Year’s Eve plans are the norm. Kourtney Kershaw, a 32-year-old bartender in Chicago, often gets asked by customers and friends about New Year’s Eve events. She says this year, people are leaning towards a more low-key celebration.
“A majority of who I’ve spoken to in my age range want to go out, but they don’t know what they’re going to do because they haven’t found anything or things are just really expensive,” she said. “Party packages or an entry fee are a turn-off, especially with the climate of the world and how much things cost.” As expected, younger people are more inclined to celebrate at a bar or organised event — about 1 in 10 adults under 30 plan to do so. But around 30% of adults aged 60 and above say they won’t be celebrating the arrival of 2025 at all.
Anthony Tremblay, 35, from Pittsburgh, typically avoids going out for New Year’s but has something special planned this year. He and his wife will be travelling through Ireland.
“I don’t do anything too crazy for New Year’s, usually. So this is definitely a change,” he said. “I wanted to do something unique this year, so I did.”
Also read | 10 places to celebrate the New Year in Mumbai — AER, Koishii, Benne, Vista and more
Woods, meanwhile, will be working on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. She answers calls on The Iowa Warmline, a confidential, non-crisis listening service for those struggling with mental health or substance use issues.
“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 the family, and so being able to help people is rewarding to me.”
For many younger Americans, New Year’s means making resolutions. While most US adults plan to make a New Year’s resolution, millennials and Gen Z are especially likely to do so — about two-thirds of them expect to set goals, compared to around half of older adults. Women are also more likely than men to make a resolution for 2025.
Tremblay aims to lose weight and focus more on self-care, including getting more sleep, meditating, and doing breathing exercises. “It’s probably a good year to focus on mental health,” he said.
Many others share similar goals. Around 30% of adults plan resolutions related to exercise or eating healthier. About a quarter aim to lose weight, and a similar proportion intend to focus on money or mental health.
Also read | New Year 2025 celebration ideas for couples and families
Woods’ resolutions focus on staying social and active. As a mental health counsellor, she knows these are crucial for overall well-being. “Probably one of my biggest resolutions is trying to make sure I stay social, try to get out at least once a week — get out and either have coffee or do something with a friend. That’s not only for the physical but also for the mental health part.”
Kershaw, the bartender, says weight loss and better health are the most common resolutions she hears people make. “Mental health is the new one, but I think it’s high up there as well as regular health,” she said.
She prefers goal-oriented resolutions and, for this year, she plans to travel more and explore the world: “I don’t know if that’s really a resolution, but that’s a goal that I’m setting.”
As for how she’ll ring in 2025, Kershaw typically spends the night watching movies at home with plenty of snacks. But this year, she has a different plan — one of the most Chicago things you can do.
This die-hard sports fan will be at Wrigley Field on Tuesday to watch the Chicago Blackhawks take on the St. Louis Blues. “Hockey’s my favourite sport. So I will be watching hockey and bringing in the new year,” she said.
