I hope everyone had wonderful holidays! The last night of Hanukkah is always my favorite because the menorah is so beautiful. As a kid, my two sisters and I would take turns lighting the menorah each night. Normal children fight to go first, but not me. I’d figure out which rotation would allow me to light the menorah on the last night with the most candles, and they never figured out my plan. Now I play that trick on David (JUST KIDDING!).

And just like that, it’s already time to prepare for the new year. My family used to bang pots and pans outside at midnight (sorry, neighbors). David and I haven’t settled into a New Year’s Eve tradition yet. We have hit the extremes, from South Beach clubs with fireworks to quiet nights at home with chocolate fondu. I just picked up a bottle of Veuve, so things are already headed in the right direction this year. What are your midnight traditions?