First New Years in Canada: Top 5 NYE Parties

After cross border moving to Canada, there will be much to learn about your new country. The first item on your agenda might be finding a place to celebrate the New Year. Look into these top 5 destinations:

1. Party for free at Niagara Falls in Queen Victoria Park. Hosted by Cheryl Hickey and Rick Campanelli, it begins at 7:30 pm, and will be televised by Global starting at 10pm. Featured artists are Stephanie McIlroy, The Sheepdogs, Keshia Chante, Our Lady Peace, and the headlining act will be Simple Plan. You will be sharing the park with about 40,000 other people, so if a big crowd is your idea of a good time, this may be the place for you. Fireworks will begin at both 8:45 pm and 12 am. There will be plenty of food and beverage vendors, and plenty of security to keep everyone safe.

2. Another free event is put on by Citytv in Toronto at Nathan Phillips Square. This is an alcohol-free event and great for the whole family. Hosted by Citytv personalities, this event will also be broadcasted. Enjoy Canada’s top musical talents and fireworks at midnight.

3. Attend the “Montreal Ball” at the club Muzique. Organizers are promising an opulent event with a “star-studded” guest list. Each room is themed, and gourmet hors d’oeuvres will be served. Enjoy this high-end event for only $29.

4. Experience Las Vegas inside the grand ballroom at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. DJ Delirious and ISC Nation will perform. There will be complementary favors for all in attendance, a champagne toast, and a midnight dessert. Dinner and dance tickets are $100.

5. Head to Edmonton for the Fevers New Year’s Carnival. This is a live performance of a Cirque Du Solei-style show, starting at 9 am and going until 3 am. It’s a semi-formal event on the upper level of the West Edmonton Mall. Tickets are $24.99.

Once your cross border moving worries are over, kick back at one of these great locations for New Year’s Eve.

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First New Years in the U.S.: Top 5 NYE Parties

Once your cross border moving chore is complete, treat yourself to one of the best New Year’s Eve parties in the U.S. Here are a few to choose from:

1. Times Square in New York City on New Year’s Eve is the most recognized party in the U.S. If you choose to go, dress warmly, as it is typically freezing there on December 31. Be prepared for large crowds and long lines at the bars. But, you will always be able to say you have seen the ball drop on Times Square.

2. Las Vegas is a party town 24/7, but even more so on New Year’s Eve. There is a massive light display and many performances to attend by well-known entertainers. You’ll find “America’s Party” on the Strip, with free events and fireworks. Pay $20 to get into “Tribute-Palooza,” where you will see eight tribute bands imitating major acts like U2 and Aerosmith. Take the Las Vegas Monorail around to hit all the major highlights.

3. Head to New Orleans to see the giant gumbo pot drop from the Jax Brewery at midnight. Once it is down, there is an all-night pub crawl in the historic French Quarter. Take a ferry from Canal Street to Algiers Point where you can watch the fireworks at a quiet distance. Stay around the next day for the Sugarbowl.

4. Why not treat yourself to fireworks over Waikiki Beach in Honolulu? There are dozens of shows to watch here and in Palolo Valley, Pauoa Valley, and Kalihi Valley. Go to Aloha Towers for a block party with seven stages and 20 DJ’s for only $15. Be one of the last people in the U.S. to celebrate the New Year.

5. Miami throws a good party at New Year’s. Try Bayfront Park for a free fireworks show over the bay, bands and entertainment. Or be at The Hotel Inter-Continental at Chopin Plaza to see the 35-foot orange ball drop.

Don’t let cross border moving deter you from finding a great city to vacation in for your first New Year’s Eve in the U.S.

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NYE 2012 in Vancouver: Top Hot Spots

After cross border moving into your home during the holidays, you might consider a quiet night at home for New Year’s Eve. That would be a mistake! This is the perfect time to get out on the town and meet some people. Here are some top hot spots for NYE 2012.

Go to the New Year’s Eve Gala at Grouse Mountain. Choose from early seating to later seating, and from a three or six course meal. Enjoy a complementary glass of champagne and a DJ and dancing.

The City of Vancouver will host a Dinner and Dance for those over 30. Located at 2929 East 22nd Ave, there will be party favors, snacks, a full dinner, door prizes, and champagne at midnight. DJ music by “Jun” will keep you dancing until midnight. Cost is $38 per person.

Hit all the hottest clubs at the New Year’s Eve Extravaganza Club Crawl 2012. A party bus will take you to four local clubs, without waiting in line or paying cover charges. You’ll find drinks specials, party favors, contests, and prizes. Cost is $30 per person.

Take a dinner cruise aboard the luxurious Pride of Vancouver. There will be a gourmet buffet, entertainment, and dancing like you would expect on a traditional cruise ship. View the Vancouver skyline and city lights at night, as you enjoy a New Year’s Eve on the sea.

Attend the New Years Le Gala at the Pan Pacific Hotel. This event gives you the chance to dress up in formal attire, and enjoy a delicious dinner while proceeds go to the BC Children’s Hospital. Cost is $120 per person.

After your cross border moving is complete, think about going out for New Year’s Eve to one of these great locations.

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Moving During the Holidays: 3 Tips For Making it an Easy Transition

Many times with a move, you cannot control the season in which your house sells, or when you need to relocate. If you find yourself moving to the U.S. during the holiday season, don’t fret! There are many ways to make the most of the season, and still accomplish your ‘to-do’ list for moving. Here are three tips for transitioning during this time.

1. Pack one box with special holiday items and label it with special stickers or lettering, so it can be easily tracked down. This could include small things that will make the holiday special, without having to find and unload all of your holiday decorations. Put in special ornaments, special table decorations, and any traditional items like an advent calendar or menorah. Have your children help fill the box with what they think will make the holidays special. As for the rest of your holiday decorations, you may choose to live without them this year just to simplify life.

2. Instead of many little gifts for each person in the family, do one big, special gift for everyone, like a weekend trip to an amusement park or other fun location. This will cut down on shopping, wrapping, and keeping track of presents during a move. Prepare everyone for the idea that they won’t have as much to unwrap, but will have a “destination” gift instead. For people outside the immediate family, just choose to give gift certificates this year. You can shop for everyone at once at the gift certificate kiosk at most corner drugstores.

3. Investigate what is going on in your new community for the holidays. Attend things like parades, parties, and festivals. Be alert for chances to meet new people. Tour the neighborhoods and look at the lights. This will be fun but will also familiarize you with your new area.

No matter what you do, cross border moving during the holidays will be harder than other times of year. If you do what you can to preserve the real meaning of your traditions, and make new traditions, you can enjoy the holidays just the same.

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Life in the U.S.: How to Prepare for Your First Christmas Season

In America, the Christmas season is a special time to celebrate with family and friends. It’s full of traditions that can be fun for the whole family. When moving to the U.S., plan to see Christmas decorations popping up in stores in October! However, most people start their Christmas decorating and traditions the day after Thanksgiving.

The center of the Christmas decorations is the evergreen tree. If you have a live tree, you’ll need a tree stand and the patience to water it. Gathering the ornaments can be an activity for the family. Strands of cranberries and popcorn can decorate a tree, as well as ribbon and lights. Let your children make ornaments out of pine cones, paper, or Christmas balls.

You’ll want to start collecting names and addresses for Christmas cards early. Prepare the list in such a way that you will have it for years to come. Consider making cards, and sending them to close friends and family. Or have a family photo taken and turn it into a postcard.

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a party. You can invite people with a simple phone call, but do this early, as people’s schedules tend to fill up on the weekends in December. Serve wassail and a variety of cookies. Sing carols if you are a musical bunch.

Another thing to start early is making and purchasing gifts. The homemade gift is a treasure to those who receive it. It tells them you spent time and energy on them. If you aren’t the crafty type, store-bought gifts are appropriate.

Any house isn’t in the Christmas spirit unless it has some twinkle lights outside. It can be as ` as buying the lighted netting that covers bushes quickly and easily. Or hang a lighted wreath on the front door.

After cross border moving, all it will take to get in the Christmas spirit is a few added traditions to your year.

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Moving to the U.S.: 5 Winter Events You Must See to Believe

Snow Sculpture

When moving to the U.S. in the winter, you will find that Americans like to celebrate no matter what the season. But the winter/holiday season is especially festive. Experience Americana at the holidays by attending these festive events.

Visit the International Show Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado. The event takes place at the end of January, where blocks of snow 12 feet tall and wide are cut out of the mountain and placed in the village for a snow sculptor to sculpt. These amazing sculptures evolve over three days’ time, with a fantastic display of artistry at the end.

Attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting and Pageant of Peace. For 85 years now, a 40-foot Colorado blue spruce has been erected on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. The Pageant of Peace includes a lighting of the tree and live performances.

Idaho boasts one of the best holiday light shows in the country. The Coeur d”Alene Resort features over 225 holiday displays plus a “Journey to the North Pole” area where children can visit Santa. More than a million lights shine on Lake Coeur d’Alene. You can take a cruise boat to get up close to the animated light displays.

See 500 beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses at the Festival of Trees in Timonium, Maryland starting in November. You can shop for holiday crafts at over 100 craft boutiques; see live entertainment, and a have chance to see Santa.

Visit the Niagra Falls Winter Festival of Lights for a once-a-year light show around the falls. There is a 5-km route of over 100 lighted displays, fireworks over the falls, and musical concerts and children’s performances. All the light shows are free of charge.

After cross border moving, make time to see some of the sights in the U.S. These winter festivities will take you to interesting places where you will be immersed in the American culture of the holiday season.

(Photo attributed to flickr member @tacoekkel via the creative common license)