new year's Archives

50 New Year’s Quotes to Inspire Hope & Laughter

New Year’s Eve is all about parties, celebrating, merriment…and trying to stay awake long enough to watch a giant light-up ball be lowered slowly down a pole on the top of a building in New York City while a million revelers sing “Auld Lang Syne” in unison. As the years have gone on, that’s the New Year’s Eve we’re most familiar with.

But after all the guests have gone home and the dishes have been cleaned and the calendar has been flipped, what are you left with? Well, a new year, that’s what. And that means 365 days of new possibilities and 52 weeks worth of opportunities to change anything you want about yourself and your life.

But you can’t do it alone. You need motivation, someone or something to light a fire under you and set you on the fast track to self-improvement. In short, you need wisdom, and you need it in the form of pithy, witty, and/or insightful quotes from some of the great thinkers of our time (real or otherwise).

To help you achieve your goals, here are 50 New Year’s quotes to get your year started right.

Inspiring New Year’s quotes

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” — Brad Paisley
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” — Oprah Winfrey
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” — Hal Borland
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.” — Neil Gaiman
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” — Benjamin Franklin
“Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach
“New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday.” — Charles Lamb
“Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas.” —Charles Kettering

“The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with but whether it is the same problem you had last year.” — John Foster Dulles
“In our perfect ways. In the ways we are beautiful. In the ways we are human. We are here. Happy New Year’s. Let’s make it ours.” — Beyoncé
“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.”— Rainer Maria Rilke
“We spend January first walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives, not looking for flaws, but for potential.” — Ellen Goodman
“A new year. A fresh, clean start! It’s like having a big white sheet of paper to draw on! A day full of possibilities!” — Bill Watterson
“What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.” — Anne Frank
“Every single year, we’re a different person. I don’t think we’re the same person all of our lives.”— Steven Spielberg
“Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” — Robin Sharma

17. “Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

— Alfred Lord Tennyson

“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.” — John Burroughs
“If you asked me for my New Year resolution, it would be to find out who I am.” — Cyril Cusack
“A new heart for a New Year, always!” — Charles Dickens
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.” — T.S. Eliot
“For 11 months and maybe about 20 days each year, we concentrate upon the shortcomings of others, but for a few days at the turn of New Year, we look at our own. It is a good habit.” — Arthur H. Sulzberger
“The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul…” — G.K. Chesterton

Best New Year’s gift ideas

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Funny New Year’s quotes

“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” — Bill Vaughan
“Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to.” — Bill Vaughan
“The new year begins in a snow-storm of white vows.” — George William Curtis
“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions!” — Joey Adams
“Listen, I wish I could tell you it gets better, but it doesn’t get better. You get better.” — Joan Rivers

new years quotes dog wearing happy new year hat

“Never make a resolution which won’t be as important on the eighth of April or the 10th of July as it is on the first of January.” — Cary Grant
“‘Out with the old, in with the new’ is a fitting expression for a holiday that is based on vomiting.” — Andy Borowitz
“New Year’s Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.” — James Agate
“I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.” — Anaïs Nin
“May the New Year bring you courage to break your resolutions early! My own plan is to swear off every kind of virtue, so that I triumph even when I fall!” — Aleister Crowley

“Happiness is too many things these days for anyone to wish it on anyone lightly. So, let’s just wish each other a New Year.” — Judith Crist
“I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second.” — Helen Fielding, “Bridget Jones’s Diary”
“Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” — Mark Twain

Hopeful New Year’s quotes

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier.'” — Alfred Lord Tennyson
“Let our New Year’s resolution be this: We will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.” — Göran Persson
“Well, we have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be a little more gentle with each other, a little more loving, and have a little more empathy, and maybe, next year at this time we’d like each other a little more.” — Judy Garland
“When that ball drops at midnight — and it will drop — let’s remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long.” — Claire Morgan (Hilary Swank) in “New Year’s Eve”
“Kindness, kindness, kindness. I want to make a New Year’s prayer, not a resolution. I’m praying for courage.” — Susan Sontag
“Happy new year. May we all have a vision now and then of a world where every neighbor is a friend.” — ABBA
“A long December and there’s reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last.” — Counting Crows

Quotes about new beginnings

“No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” — Buddha
“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” — Meister Eckhart
“I love beginnings. If I were in charge of calendars, every day would be January first.” — Jerry Spinelli
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” — Seneca
“There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” — C.S. Lewis
“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” — T.S. Eliot

50. “It’s a new dawn

It’s a new day

It’s a new life,

for me,

And I’m feeling good.”

— Nina Simone

How to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions Despite the Daunting Odds

The beginning of a new year is a great opportunity to reflect on the past and make a fresh start — whether that means eating healthier meals, getting more exercise, saving money, or quitting a bad habit, like smoking. Making resolutions, however, is just the first step; figuring out how to accomplish them all is the hard part.

If you’re looking to make a positive change in your life in 2024, we have expert advice, tips, and helpful resources to help you make your New Year’s resolutions last the entire year.

4 tips for keeping your New Year’s resolutions

No matter what changes you resolve to make in your life this year, sticking to them can be a challenge. Most of us, in fact, make a few crucial mistakes when making New Year’s resolutions, which often causes us to give up on them.

But there are proven ways you can achieve long-term results and make positive, lifelong changes. Here are four tips on making your 2023 resolutions truly stick this year.

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1. Focus on one goal at a time

Making too many changes all at once can be daunting. Simplify your list of New Year’s resolutions by focusing on one goal at a time. Change just one habit and focus on just that for 30 to 60 days before adding another challenge.

For example, if your goal is to lose weight, don’t start with a punishing diet and spending every day at the gym. Start by tracking what you eat and scheduling three workouts a week until this becomes your new habit. After a couple of months, examine your eating habits and make a change to your diet you can stick to for the next 30 to 60 days while maintaining your workout schedule.

“Setting small, attainable goals throughout the year, instead of a singular, overwhelming goal on January first, can help you reach whatever it is you strive for,” says psychologist Lynn Bufka, PhD, in an article on the American Psychological Association website. “Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.”

New Year's Resolutions with runner tying shoes

2. Make a plan & track your progress

Unhealthy habits develop over time, which is why changing them also takes time. Make the commitment by devising a long-term plan, breaking down your goal into manageable chunks, and tracking your progress.

For instance, if your goal is to lose weight and all you focus on is the number on the scale each morning, you’re bound to get discouraged. Instead of fixating on that number, keep track of your workouts and what you eat. That way, your successful week will be marked by the amount of exercise you got and healthy meals you ate — not by what the scale reads.

It’s also important to track things you’re trying to eliminate from your life, such as smoking or biting your nails. Logging your progress in an app or a journal, or even through photos, can help show progress and reinforce the commitment to your goal.

New Year's Resolutions with healthy food

3. Don’t give up

Our excitement and determination about our resolutions tend to fade as weeks and months pass, and we get busy with everyday life. If you’re find yourself falling back into your old ways, don’t get discouraged. Remember that taking a step back is completely normal and achieving your goals is not about perfection.

If you skipped a week at the gym or ate a decadent dessert on your diet, it’s OK. Forgive yourself and get back on track with your resolutions.

“Take credit for success when you achieve a resolution, but don’t blame yourself if you fail. Instead, look at the barriers that were in your way. See how you can do better next time and figure out a better plan to succeed. You do get to try again and can make behavior changes throughout the year, not only at New Year’s,” says psychology professor Alan Marlatt, PhD, who has studied the topic of resolutions for over 20 years at the University of Washington.

4. Get help if you need it

Staying positive and seeking help when you need it will help you stick to your resolutions. There are countless resources, advice, and support available for whatever you’re striving to achieve.

If your plan isn’t producing results, or if you’re stressed or overwhelmed, take a moment to reexamine your goals and get help from family, friends, and professionals who are experts in what you’re trying to achieve. Join a support group, meet with a dietitian, or schedule a session with a personal trainer. Sharing your struggles with someone else and getting help will make your goals more attainable.

New Year's Resolutions making healthy meal

BONUS TIP: Make the right investment

To stay motivated throughout the year, consider investing in books, tools, apps, resources, and other items that will help you be successful with your goals.

Buying new workout clothes and gear will make you feel good when you head to the gym. A new healthy cookbook might be just what you need to motivate you to try more healthy meals. A water bottle will be a good reminder to drink more water throughout the day. And a powerful budgeting app can help you stay on track with your new saving goals. You can also consider taking a class or joining a club to achieve your goals of learning something new.

Apps & resources for your resolutions

Here are some additional tips and resources for some of the most popular and common New Year’s resolutions.

1. Get more exercise

Start by finding simple ways to get more movement throughout the day, such as taking the stairs, parking your car farther away, or walking on your lunch, instead of mindlessly scrolling social media. Invest in workout clothes and gear that will make you feel good, and schedule your workouts just like you would any other important appointment.

Try different types of workouts to find something you really enjoy. Fitness Blender, DAREBEE, and HASfit offer free videos and workout routines you can do right at home. The Nike Training Club app is another resource that offers free video workouts and tips for all levels.

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2. Eat a healthy diet

Eating healthy also means drinking healthy. Start by tracking your water intake and minimizing any sugary beverages you enjoy on a regular basis, or switching to black coffee. Try cooking one new healthy recipe each week and adding fruits and vegetables to every meal.

There’s no shortage of healthy recipes on the web, along with free apps, such as SuperFood – Healthy Recipes, which offers a calorie counter with relevant nutrition information. If you’re looking for a meal planning tool, consider mealime or the wide variety of healthy meal plans available at EatingWell. Guys who are new to cooking will enjoy Fit Men Cook, which offers easy, practical, and healthy recipes, including keto, vegetarian, and vegan options.

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3. Lose weight

The goal of losing weight should really start with a visit to the doctor to ensure your health is in check before starting a weight loss plan. Excess weight can be caused or related to a number of health issues, and not every diet or exercise plan is safe or effective for everyone.

Once your doctor provides you with safe goals that complement your lifestyle, you can use free apps like MyFitnessPal or MyNetDiary to track your daily nutrition, physical activity, and sleep.

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4. Save more money

If getting out of debt or building up your savings is your resolution, there are plenty of resources and helpful apps to make the process easy.

For help with building a budget, start with Dave Ramsey’s site and his free Guide to Budgeting from EveryDollar, which covers how to create a budget, pay off debt and start saving. EveryDollar also offers a budgeting app, which allows you to track your spending, plan expenses, and set financial goals. (The app has free and paid versions.) Mint is another great option for managing your finances; the free app offers budgeting, credit score information, investment tracking tools, and other useful features. For a small fee, the You Need A Budget and Oportun apps are popular alternatives, and each offers a free trial.

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5. Reduce stress

Managing daily stress and providing self care are on a lot of New Year’s resolution lists these days — and there are many ways to achieve these goals.

Start with basics, such as making sure you get enough sleep, exercise, and fresh air. Keep a sleep journal or look for apps that help you track your sleep habits. Also consider a relaxation app that helps with breathing exercises, mindfulness, and mediation, such as Calm or Pacifica. Get your steps in each day, preferably outside and in nature. Find activities and hobbies that bring you joy, and make time to unwind and relax at the end of the day with a good book, puzzle or game, glass of wine, cozy blanket, and scented candle.

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6. Declutter & organize

We all want a cleaner, more organized home, and achieving this is probably easier than you think.

Start by creating a command center where your calendar, schedules, appointments, and other important information can be visible to all family members. Add a spot for everyone to leave their keys, backpacks, purses, and other important belongings.

When it comes the kids, consider implementing chore charts, cleaning schedules, rewards, and other methods to get everyone involved in keeping the home clean and organized.

For organization advice and inspiration, look to Marie Kondo and The Home Edit, both of which have shows on Netflix that are as informative as they are entertaining.

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4 Steps to Becoming a More Positive Person

“I encourage people to look at self-care as a living, organic thing. We need to stay open and flexible, and not try to keep doing things the way we have always done them.

Vanessa Joy Walker

Certified life and leadership coach

The past few years have been filled with uncertainty. This turbulent time has challenged our ability to maintain a hopeful outlook. Yet, a large body of research shows that positive thinking benefits our immune system as well as our overall mental and physical well-being.

Developing an upbeat attitude is not about ignoring the troubles of life; it’s about making room for the good things that happen — no matter how small they may be.

“Sometimes the best path toward a more positive mindset is finding the freedom to dig into all the messy stuff in a way that is productive,” says Vanessa Joy Walker, a certified life and leadership coach, and author of the book “Make Room for Joy.” “When we do that, we can see the possibilities that are embedded in the problems.”

4 steps to leading a more positive life

We all have our own “messy stuff” to deal with — some more than others — and Walker understands that. Here, she offers four ways for how to be more positive in our everyday lives.

1. Live for today

“Sometimes, we get so focused on the past or the future that we don’t experience the present,” she explains. “We are constantly scrolling — and not just on social media but in our lives — to find the things that will fill us up. But we are missing what is happening right now.”

Walker suggests setting aside time to identify the things that are stressing us out and deciding how we feel about them. Taking only 15 minutes to write down these concerns, she says, can help alleviate anxiety and fear.

“Addressing the mess is essential, but give yourself boundaries,” she emphasizes. “I always say, ‘Address those worries, but don’t take a bath in them.'”

2. Practice the pause

“We all say we want to practice more self-care and find more peace. But, then, why is it so difficult for us to just be still?” she asks.

Walker says she uses a timer to remind herself to take short breaks throughout the day. These pauses can include taking a walk, making a cup of tea, reading a book, or taking a quick nap. “No social media and no using the pause as something to check off your to-do list,” she advises, adding that the type of break can differ according to what your needs are on that particular day.

3. Express gratitude

“Gratitude is a posture, a way of looking at life,” Walker says. “It allows us to see possibilities in our problems. When we see possibilities, we are more hopeful. And when we are more hopeful, we have a positive mindset.”

how to be more positive with co-workers congratulating colleague

While Walker says it’s important for us to express gratitude as much as we can, she acknowledges that having to come up with a list of things for which we are thankful can feel overwhelming or burdensome. In those cases, it’s OK to dial it back. “It can be just one thing,” Walker says. “It’s almost impossible not to find one thing to be grateful for.”

4. Embrace flexibility

“When things are uncertain, our routines and rituals change,” Walker says. “I encourage people to look at self-care as a living, organic thing. We need to stay open and flexible, and not try to keep doing things the way we have always done them.”

One of the benefits of cultivating a more positive outlook is that it can be contagious. When you model a hopeful attitude, it encourages others to do the same thing.

The importance of ‘being there’

Another way to share a message of hope is by giving gifts — an act that is scientifically proven to be just as beneficial to the giver as the receiver. When you get a gift for someone, it shows them that you are there for them, and that, in turn, can help them — and you — become more positive.

Walker puts it this way: “Over the past few years, all of us have experienced uncertainty, fear, frustration, and grief. That grief may be the loss of a loved one or the grief for the past — that (sense of) ‘normal’ that may never happen again.

“But when you step into that mess with someone and say, ‘I am here for you,’ that is empathy. And that can help both of you feel a little bit better.”

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New Year’s Eve Party Ideas That Will Make for an Unforgettable Celebration

Whether you’re still exhausted from the holiday season or want to forego venturing out to a crowded bar or restaurant on a cold night, staying in for New Year’s Eve can still be an eventful experience — with the right planning. Do it the right way, and you’re in for a cozy, festive, low-fuss evening.

Here are some New Year’s Eve party ideas to help you plan a fun and jubilant celebration this Dec. 31.

Party planning

Plan your New Year’s event like you would a normal party, making sure to communicate the customary details. Send out custom snail mail or virtual invites letting guests know where the party is, what they can bring, and what they should wear. If you look forward to dressing up, call for a black tie. If you want to go in full-on comfort mode, make it a jammies night. Perhaps create a theme, such as black and white or Roaring Twenties.

new year's eve party ideas with new year's revelers

Entertainment

Include fun party activities like games, movie marathons, dance-offs, and karaoke. Revisit your past New Year’s Eve celebrations and replicate the best moments. Serve a memorable cocktail for the stroke of midnight, wearing a whimsical New Year’s Eve-themed accessory while singing “Auld Lang Syne.” Make sure to share the entertainment lineup with your party companions ahead of time to build the anticipation.

Create new traditions

Find inspiration from what is trending in social events. Champagne (or sparkling wine…know the difference!) is always welcomed on New Year’s Eve and adds something unexpected to the drink list. Hang up a custom photo backdrop and hand out personalized party favors so your guests will go home with something to remember the evening by.

Delicious food always works

Since New Year’s Eve falls at the end of an active social month, the idea of cooking an extravagant meal is not high on most people’s list. So, order in instead. And, even better, have it delivered right to your home so you have more time to plan the enjoyable details. Select from a range of delicacies, such as lobster pot pie, triple cheese quiche with caramelized onions, and beef and Italian sausage lasagna. Or go lighter with a fruit basket or assortment of meats and cheeses. Chocolate strawberries look Instagram-ready with personalized flutes. Cookie platters, chocolate towers, and fruit bouquets are equally stunning and will arrive at your house with the click of a button (or two).

new years eve party ideas with champagne

Create an environment

Nothing makes a home feel more like a party venue than holiday decorations. Arrange flower-shaped LED lights on a mantle, table, or available shelf space. Illuminate a collection of candles in every room. Release a bundle of black and gold mylar balloons so they drip from the ceiling. And, of course, splurge on a stunning flower arrangement, which always signals an elegant affair.

Take it outdoors

Set up your outdoor space with lights, candles, and a patio heater to create a warm and cozy outdoor oasis. Once midnight approaches, wrap up in warm blankets and move to your outdoor party space, which is perfect for popping open a bottle of champagne, noisemakers, and setting off fireworks.

Why Setting Goals Is Important

For many of us, the dawn of a new year is a time for taking stock of who we are and where we are in life, and for setting goals for the next 12 months.

To wit: More than 50% of those surveyed by Statista started 2023 with a pledge to exercise more. Other top goals that made the list — and tend to show up every year — are eating healthier (50%), losing weight (40%), saving money (39%), and spending more time with family and friends (37%).

Find the thing that fills your proverbial cup and then work toward having more of that in your life every day.

alexa darrow

Life enhancement and mindset coach

However, studies also show that less than 10% of people who set goals for the new year, often called New Year’s resolutions, actually keep them. If setting goals is important — and academic research, such as this groundbreaking study by renowned American psychologist Edwin Locke, shows it is — then why are we so bad at achieving them? Or are we just expecting too much of ourselves?

“I feel that we often put too much pressure on ourselves with New Year’s resolutions,” says Alexa Darrow, a Portland, Oregon-based life enhancement and mindset coach. “We seem to have a need to set unrealistic goals for ourselves, and then when we get to a place when we haven’t met these goals, we feel guilty about it.”

Darrow says that over the past few years — a period during which there has been much societal upheaval — she has changed her mindset about goal setting for both herself and her clients. “Instead of looking at goals as things I want to achieve, I look at them as things I want to manifest,” she explains.

Darrow encourages her clients to consider what will bring them the most joy and then think of the steps that will lead to that change in their lives. Using weight loss as an example, she says, “Instead of putting pressure on yourself to lose 30 pounds in a year, I ask my clients to break that down into smaller, achievable goals.”

She emphasizes the lifestyle changes that go into losing weight but asks clients to be wary of trying to do too much, too soon. “Maybe you can start with working out once a week, or two to three times a week,” she suggests. “Or try to have two dinners at home each week instead of committing to five.”

Why setting goals is important with woman writing down goals

Our culture’s reliance on instant gratification also plays into the pressure we put on ourselves with regard to goal setting. “Whether it’s losing weight or saving money for a house, we want to see results quickly,” Darrow says. “But these bigger goals take time. We need to have patience with ourselves. Achieving your goal may take two years, but if you take a step back, you can see that each day you are making progress.”

But what happens if you occasionally fall short? Many of her clients, Darrow says, struggle with self-criticism if they falter in the steps toward their goals. “A bad day doesn’t have to set you off course,” she says. “You can’t beat yourself up over it. You always have a new opportunity to get back on track.”

If anything positive has come out of the pandemic, Darrow says, it’s that it has caused us to look inward, and focus more on what is most important to us and brings us happiness.

“What I’ve learned is to find the joy where you can,” Darrow says. “I encourage my clients to find the thing that fills your proverbial cup and then work toward having more of that in your life every day.”

A great way to stay motivated as you work toward long-term goals is by rewarding yourself for achieving small milestones. Here are four ways to celebrate your success.

Why setting goals is important with man relaxing lying outside

1. Keep a gratitude list

Darrow suggests writing down two or three things you are grateful for each day. “Then take it one step further by adding in your achievements of the day,” she adds. “It’s really nice to read the small accomplishments you’ve made over a week.”

2. Do something relaxing

Take a soothing bath or go on an invigorating hike. Don’t be afraid to do something for you.

3. Seek daily affirmations

Write inspiring quotes on sticky notes and place them where they will give you a boost of confidence. Or get a jar that already has the messages written out on slips of paper.

4. Purchase small, meaningful gifts

These could run the gamut, from a special candle to a new kind of tea to a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Are you someone who recently met a challenging goal, or do you know someone who has? Then it’s time to celebrate! Here are three gift ideas to honor this potentially life-changing work.

Fields of Europe® Celebration

Did your close friend get that promotion at work? Buy that car they’ve had their eye on? Good for her! Now, it’s time to reward her. This bright and lively arrangement of roses, mini Gerbera daisies, Peruvian lilies, and more will show them how proud you are of their accomplishment.

Congratulations Rose Plant

We know of no better way to congratulate yourself or someone else than with a gift of flowers and cookies. This lovely rose plant arrives in a colorful striped container along with a cheerful “Congrats” balloon. Add to the fun with a jar full of yummy chocolate chip cookies.

Classic Gourmet Congratulations! Gift Basket

Meeting even small steps toward a new goal is worth acknowledging. This attractive hand-woven basket with the message “Congratulations” on the decorative ribbon is stuffed to the brim with delicious snacks, including snickerdoodle cookies, chocolate covered graham crackers, kettle popcorn, and a whole lot more.

Corporate Gifting Trends & Tips for the New Year

There’s an undeniable joy when you receive a thoughtful gift. A present can say thank you, I value you, and you’re appreciated all at once. When done right, giving gifts in the workplace can have the same positive impact. And now, with the rise of distributed teams and hybrid workforces, the power of the business gift has reached new heights.

corporate gifting for the new year with Businessmen holding gift box

“Workplace culture has changed dramatically in the last two years, leaving a lot of space for social cohesion,” says Monika Kochar, CEO of SmartGift, the Brooklyn-based startup that partnered with 1-800-Flowers.com to create Hero. “Typically, we would have all celebrated at a company end-of-year party, but now gifting brings these connections to real life. The emphasis on events has moved toward giving meaningful tokens.”

The Hero gifting platform’s recommendation engine allows companies and managers to send personal, authentic, and meaningful gifts based on user preference and data. It makes it a seamless process, allowing recipients to choose which gift to receive and where to send it. Hero eliminates the gifts that collect dust on a shelf or end up in a landfill by offering products and services that matter to today’s workforce.

Business gifting at work can confuse even the most thoughtful gifter: Should I get my boss a gift? How much should I spend? Is it tacky to get everyone on my team the same thing? Do clients talk about the best and worst gifts they receive?

Here’s what you need to know — and shop for — to make a mark this holiday season.

1. Lists are getting bigger

Virtual work environments have led to more collaboration across departments and cities, fostering connections that may not have previously existed. “Traditionally people would send big gifts to their clients and employees,” Kochar says. “But now, because of the increased connection between a broader set of employees, people are sending gifts to everyone, from the executive assistant to the boss.”

2. Spending per person is getting smaller

With the increase in the number of giftees, the amount being spent per gift is decreasing. For the VIPs on your list, expect to spend in the $125 range; for everyone else, $25 does the trick, Kochar says. And those VIPs aren’t necessarily your clients. They could be team members or colleagues who have gone above and beyond. Your best strategy is to start with your overall budget, make your recipient list, categorize them by price point (high, medium, low), and do the math to figure out how much to spend per person.

3. Personal is preferred

Don’t send the same gift to everyone because it eliminates the human touch. It’s OK to give all your coworkers a bottle of wine or beautiful plant, but choose specific iterations of that gift that feel more personal (i.e., a red Italian for the person who loves to cook Sunday night pasta). If you’re not familiar enough with someone’s preferences, try to give them a choice in the gift selection. “That’s why HERO’s intelligent automation is so great, because the recipient gets a link to a collection of items that they can choose from, eliminating the one-size-fits-all strategy,” Kochar says.

4. Don’t send a gift card

Gifting is an opportunity to create loyalty and closeness, and the impersonal nature of gift cards defeat the purpose. “Gift cards remove that creation of bonding and say that you couldn’t be bothered or didn’t have the time to pick up something personal,” Kochar says.

As you think about what to send each group of people, ask yourself: What am I trying to convey with each gift? Thank you. Take time for yourself. Splurge a little. That will help guide you toward the perfect pick for each person.

Need ideas? Here are Kochar’s guaranteed gift pleasers.

For the people who went above & beyond ($100+)

corporate gifting for the new year charcuterie and cheese collection

Charcuterie & Cheese Collection

If your end-of-year party is looking a little different this year, send them a gourmet feast with food they can share with their team or those they love. The Ultimate Charcuterie and Cheese Collection will make for a memorable night.

Deluxe Hearthside Gift Basket

Brighten up someone’s home with a sweet-and-savory collection of premium treats. The Deluxe Hearthside Gift Basket arrives in a handsome basket adorned with a hand-tied bow.

corporate gifting for the new year Magnificent Roses Preserved Roses

Magnificent Roses® Preserved Red Roses

Got a one-of-a-kind employee? What’s better than an everyday reminder of your appreciation? These stunning roses will last for up to a year and are the perfect desktop decor.

For those meaningful connections ($50-$100)

Wood Star
Succulent

Long-lasting plants make a great addition to your workspace and a wonderful thank you gift. Send those superstars a Star-Shaped Succulent garden.

Simply Chocolate Nuts & Confections Basket

Re-create the New Year’s Eve party at home with the help of the Simply Chocolate Nuts & Confection Basket. The combination of fun and festive sweets will keep the celebration going well into the new year.

May You Find Joy
Gift Box

Give time to relax and rejuvenate with the Gift of Joy Box filled with notecards, essential oil, and crystal. The box includes a selection of self-care items to create a daily practice of intention, mindfulness and well-being

For the everyday heroes (under $50)

Personally Yours Custom Paper Note Cube

Monogrammed gifts, like this custom paper note cube, always feel personal, at every price point.

Fleur de Chocolate® Thank You Bar & Truffles

Let the sweets do the talking. These thank you chocolate truffles and bar are a literal and delicious way to show your appreciation.

Smile Farms® Hot Sauce

Some of the best gifts are the ones that give back. With every purchase of Heat with Heart™ hot sauce, you’ll benefit Smile Farms, a nonprofit that creates creating meaningful employment solutions for people with different abilities.

New Year’s Around The World

No matter where you live, the new year is celebrated all around the world. New Year’s can be celebrated in various ways and at different times all over the globe depending where you are.

From blowing whistles to parades in the streets, learn how people ring in this joyous occasion worldwide.

New Year’s in Australia

In Australia, parties start on the night of Dec. 31, and noise is made at midnight with whistles, rattles, car horns, and church bells. On New Year’s Day, many people do outdoor activities, such as picnics, surfing, carnivals, and rodeos.

Bengali New Year

In Bangladesh, New Year’s is celebrated on 13th or 14th day of April, which is called “Pohela Boishakh,” the first month of the Bengali calendar. Celebrations begin at dawn with singing, parades, and fairs. Bengalis’ houses are cleaned and decorated for a fresh start, and they pray to the Hindu gods and goddesses for wealth and prosperity. The women adorn their hair with flowers, such as red oleanders, white daisies, pink roses, purple hibiscus, and yellow marigolds. Pink, red, and purple are for the Hindu goddesses, and white and yellow for the gods.

New Year’s in Brazil

New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most celebrated in the world. White is a popular color to wear for New Year’s and can be accented with colors that symbolize different kinds of luck. For example, green symbolizes good health, and red symbolizes romance. A popular Brazilian goddess named Lemanja is given gifts, such as flowers and candles, that are put out to sea. If the gifts return to you, that means they were not accepted and you can try again next year. If you are by the beach, you can jump over seven waves while making wishes for the ultimate good luck in the next year. If you’re spending New Year’s inland, jumping on your right foot three times will give you good luck as well.

New Year’s in Britain

In Britain, they have a tradition of opening the back door at midnight to let out the old year. Then, a male visitor is asked to come to the front door and is usually supposed to bring good luck in the form of gifts, such as salt, bread, or coal. This is a symbol of good luck and ensures the family will have money, food, and warmth in the year to come.

New Year’s in Canada

New Years in Canada is full of partying and celebrations! People will either go to grand parties or host one at their house. There are extraordinary fireworks shows in major cities like Montreal and Ottawa, or simply at one’s house. Also, the tradition of first footing is practiced in Canada, where a male (preferably a young one) is the first to enter the house after the New Year, which is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year to come.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, takes place between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20, and is based on the new moon. The Chinese calendar generally doesn’t use numbered years but animals instead, rotating every 12 years. The New Year is a time for feasting, visiting relatives and friends, and celebrations for bringing luck, health, happiness, and wealth for the next year. The Chinese thoroughly clean their houses to rid them of last year’s bad luck and make room for good luck in the new year. Windows and doors are decorated in red, a symbol of good fortune, happiness, wealth, and longevity.

Dancing dragons and lions go through street parades to ward off bad spirits. The dragon is associated with longevity and wealth. People also go to the markets to buy plants and flowers that will bring them good luck for the new year. The Kumquat tree, peach blossom, and tangerine are considered to be lucky. Since odd numbers are considered unlucky, gifts such as tangerines are always bought and given in pairs.

French New Year

In France, New Year’s is celebrated with a feast; dinner parties are thrown for the entire family and presents are exchanged. At midnight, everyone kisses under the mistletoe, which is more common on New Year’s than on Christmas. Fireworks are also common and, of course, sparkling wine and champagne is a must!

German New Year

Traditionally in Germany, people would drop molten lead into cold water and determine the future based on the symbolism of the shape it made. A heart or ring shape meant a wedding, an anchor meant help was needed, and a cross meant death. In addition to beer and wine, Feuerzangenbowle is a traditional German New Year’s drink (and no, we can’t pronounce it either). New Year’s cards are popular as a way to wish friends and family a blessed New Year, and to talk about their life over the past year.

Greek New Year

In Greece, Jan. 1 is not only New Year’s Day but also St. Basil’s Day, one the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church. He is remembered for his kindness and generosity to the poor, and since he is thought to have died on this day, this is how they honor him.

Greece, as well as Britain, follows the idea of a first footing. This means that the first person to enter the house in the new year should be someone kind and loving. They often use a child because of their innocence and purity.

A popular dessert for New Year’s is the “vassilopitta,” also known as St. Basil’s Cake. Inside the cake is a silver or gold coin, which is distributed in accordance to a strict order. The first piece is for St. Basil, the second for the house, and the next for the oldest member of the household, continuing on down to the youngest member and also including absent members. There may also be a piece of cake for the cattle and a large piece for the poor. Whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will be lucky for the next year. Some other New Year’s foods include “kourabiedes,” a type of cookie, and “thiples,” a fried honey pastry.

Indian New Year

The Indian New Year festival is called Diwali and is a festival of lights.

In the north, Diwali is the end of the old year and the start of the new one. For three days in late October or early November, homes are decorated with little oil lamps known as “diwa.” These little lights are found in temples and houses, and along window ledges and garden paths. In cities, electrical lights are used to light up buildings. The lights are used to drive out evil and replace evil with goodness. Diwali is a time for new beginnings. People buy new things, such as items for their homes, tool, or clothes, while businesses pay off all debts. Gifts are exchanged, New Year’s resolutions are made, and everyone is in the holiday spirit.

Diwali is also a religious festival based on the Hindu god Prince Rama. After losing his kingdom and his wife to the demon Ravana, he fought many battles to win her back. Aided by the monkey warrior Hanuman, Price Rama overcame Ravana and rescued his wife. This story is an example of good winning over evil and light over darkness.

Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune, is also honored at this time with lamps that show her the way to homes so that she can bless and grant the inhabitants success through the year. Images of the gods are decorated in flowers, and fruit is placed at the feet of the statues of the gods as offerings, known as “puja,”

In other parts of India, the Punjab New Year is celebrated with a festival known as Baisakhi. This festival is celebrated on April 13 to honor a god whom they call The True Name, the creator of all things.

In Kerala, Southern India, one of the traditions is for mothers to put food, flowers, and little gifts on a special tray on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s morning, the children must keep their eyes closed until they have been led to the tray, where they can then receive their gifts.

Italian New Year

Nor surprisingly, New Year’s in Italy is a time for feasting. The most popular foods are lentils, which symbolize money and good fortune, and pork, which symbolizes the richness of life in the coming year. Firework displays and parties are hosted, especially in the large cities, where dancing is a must. An old tradition that is still followed in some parts of Italy, mainly in the south, is throwing old things out the window. By doing this, you get rid of your old items and show your acceptance of the New Year — but make sure you watch out for falling objects as you walk down the street! Also, don’t forget your red underwear for good luck!

Japanese New Year

The Japanese New Year, Oshogatsu, is celebrated on Jan. 1 and lasts for two weeks. The Japanese also want to keep out evil spirits, and they do this by hanging a rope of straw across the front of their houses, which stands for happiness and good luck. Happiness and laughing is said to bring good luck in the New Year.

In Japan, temple bells ring out the old year until the “joya no kane,” which is the night-watch bell, starts to ring. The joya no kane rings 108 times to symbolize freedom from the 108 evil desires under Buddhist beliefs. Those who follow the Shinto religion decorate their house with evergreens, which are the symbol for eternal life, and bamboo, which is the symbol for honesty.

There is also a festival known as Little New Year, which is celebrated on the first full moon of the New Year, on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This day is celebrated with feasts and prayers.

New Year’s in the Philippines

New Year’s is a festive time in the Philippines. On the night before, special food is prepared for the family. Roasted pig is considered a delicacy; this is only eaten by wealthy families. Otherwise, noodles are cooked to signify long life and eggs to signify new beignnings. Foods made from “malagkit,” a sticky rice, is eaten to signify that good fortune will stick around through the year. Another tradition is to collect 12 round fruits to signify each month in the year. The fruits must be all different types, which poses a challenge when you run out of round fruits and then have to find less rounded fruits, such as mango. Roundness signifies prosperity, so people may also wear polka dots on their clothing. Doors and windows are left open to allow good luck to enter the house at midnight. Firecrackers, dancing, banging pots and pans, and making a lot of noise are ways to scare away evil spirits and celebrate the New Year.

Spanish New Year

The tradition in Spain and Mexico is to eat 12 grapes at midnight, one with every toll of the clock, to bring good luck for the next 12 months of the new year. Parties and homes are decorated with colors to symbolize their hopes for the next year: Red is for overall improvement of lifestyle and love, yellow is for blessings of improved employment conditions, green is for improved financial circumstances, and white is for improved health.

American New Year

In the United States, New Year’s is celebrated with parties on New Year’s Eve. The famous ball drop in Times Square is broadcasted all over the country. At the countdown to midnight on New Year’s Eve, people will kiss or honk car horns, or bang pots and pans. Champagne is usually the drink of choice, and toasts are made for good fortune in the New Year.