New Year's Day is the day when people celebrate the beginning of a new year. On New Year's Eve, family and friends often get together for dinner or have a party to welcome in the new year. People often count down the hours, minutes, and seconds before the new year arrives, and they sometimes set off fireworks or play loud music. New Year's Day is a time of new beginnings, so people often make new year's resolutions---promises or goals they hope to accomplish during the coming year. Such resolutions often include losing weight, getting in shape, or eating a healthy diet. Other resolutions might deal with improving one's relationship with a family member or friend. Sometimes, these resolutions are short lived, that is, people don't follow through on their plans. However, the new year gives people opportunities to change and improve their lives.