North Carolina City Home to One of the Most Unique New Year’s Tradition

The New Year's celebrations are almost amongst us. From the ball drop, we all watch on television to the celebrations you may have at home, there are so many things to enjoy each year. But, as we look into some destinations you find unique traditions in different areas. A lot of places across the world have unique New Year's traditions that help them get into the spirit. It can be cool to check out the ways they bring in the New Year.

AARP gathered a list of some of the most unique New Year's traditions in the country. One that caught me by surprise is a unique tradition happening in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh does an acorn drop to celebrate the new year. The Raleigh Acorn Drop has been done for more than two decades. The tradition pays tribute to Raleigh's nickname as the City of Oaks. They drop a giant, 10-foot-tall acorn in City Plaza. They kick off the day with tons of fun like a children's celebration, Ferris wheel rides, and carriage jaunts. Talk about a nutty fun time! The acorn drop and day of celebration are all part of Raleigh's annual First Night celebration to kick off the new year. Tons of fun to bring in a new year kickoff.

The importance of staying green and helping the environment cannot be overstated. Recycling and waste management experts Businesswaste.co.uk reveal simple ways to have a greener, more sustainable Christmas. To assist you in having an eco-friendly holiday, here are 10 tips.

With many people driving home for Christmas and the roads becoming even more congested, why not take advantage of public transportation instead? Use Skyscanner to find eco-friendly flights if you are traveling to warmer weather or abroad to visit friends and family.

Note down how many visitors you are cooking for over Christmas and write a list before visiting the supermarket to avoid buying too much food or panic buying. It's a real thing! If you still end up with leftovers then why not cook a pie or soup on boxing day to help reduce waste in your home?

Chocolate advent calendars are one of the best festive traditions, but they come with lots of throwaway packaging. With a reusable calendar filled with all your favorite treats, this much-loved tradition can be kept green without sacrificing the tradition.

Real Christmas trees are more environmentally friendly than fake ones, whether you believe it or not. Most fake Christmas trees are made in China, which means they've traveled a long way and emitted a lot of carbon emissions, plus they're manufactured using petroleum-based products. On the other hand, real trees are grown on farms that replant trees after each season and can then be recycled.

Consider timeless classic decorations that can be used year after year rather than on trend decorations that you will not wish to use the following season. Buy decorations made from glass, wood, and fabric rather than plastic ones that cannot be recycled.

You can avoid buying plastic by buying the items separately rather than buying gift sets, and why not check out The Plastic Free Shop for ideas? It is common for children's toys to be made of plastic, so try to buy wooden toys or make them yourself instead.

You can reuse paper, ribbons, and gift bags from last Christmas. If you didn't save last Christmas, make sure you do it this year. Why not give two gifts in one by wrapping presents in a beautiful scarf?

Why not give a green Christmas gift to a non-profit charity? You could donate water, food, and shelter to someone that is much less fortunate. Surely that’s the most precious gift of all!

There are plenty of organic wines on the market to choose from but if you fancy something a little stronger why not have a look for organic whisky, gin, or brandy?

Instead of splashing out the cash on a new outfit, that you may only wear once why not opt for the sustainable option of either renting an outfit from websites such as HURR or By rotation? If you fancy buying a festive outfit then lookout for sustainable brands.