Looking for new ideas to celebrate New Year’s Eve?

Christmas and New Year’s Day are the two major festivities celebrated in the Philippines, where I grew up. Before moving to the United States, my family and I were not familiar with Thanksgiving Day, but we have our own version of Thanksgiving—celebrated on New Year’s Eve!

I come from a large family and am the oldest of ten siblings (now all married with kids except for one), and most of us are Christ followers. Before I came to the U.S., our family started a tradition that my siblings in the Philippines still practice every year.

Before I left, every New Year’s Eve on December 31st, just before midnight, our entire family would gather to pray and thank the Lord for His provision and protection during the past year.

• We would recall the major events, milestones, and achievements of our family members and thank the Lord for His blessings.

• We would welcome the coming year with thanksgiving and dedicate it to the Lord, asking for His guidance and direction.

• We would also pray for one another and share prayer requests. I remember when a sibling opened up about hurt feelings from a past event and felt left out. This became a time for confession, with tears, apologies, and, most importantly, forgiveness. What a way to start the new year with a clean slate!

Mindfully and prayerfully celebrating New Year’s Eve with these suggested activities with family or friends, is a powerful way to welcome 2026. It provides an opportunity to reset your mind and heart, reflect on how to fulfill the Lord’s purpose in your life, strengthen relationships with God, family, and others, and seek guidance on how to be more effective at work or in business.

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6