Some annual traditions make sense.  They're rooted in family, like opening Christmas stockings on Mom and Dad's bed, with the dog, even when the kids are in their twenties; or community, like buying mystery casserole from the 6th grade on Town Meeting Day as a fundraiser for their class trip; or fun, like getting together with the same friends to watch the All-Star Game with ice cream and strawberries.  Some traditions are obligatory, like giving flowers on Valentine's Day (I'd rather get flowers on some random day.  But I'll take them on Valentine's Day, too...don't get me wrong.)  And some make no sense at all, in my humble opinion.
 
One of those that seems senseless to me is getting all dressed up to go bar- or party-hopping on New Year's Eve, probably imbibing a bit too much, driving on roads with other people doing the same thing, and spending the next day swapping hangover cures on Facebook.   Hence the name "Amateur Night." It's especially senseless in a good chunk of Vermont, because you can't exactly walk around the neighborhood, mostly because there are no neighborhoods.  And a lot of southerners are here for the holidays, and winter driving is not exactly their forté (southerners are people who live below the Vermont/Massachusetts border.)
 
So here's a New Year's tradition that I like:  stay home, put out a bunch of small dishes (eating a big dinner could cause one to miss the ball drop entirely), and make fun of the hosts and guests on the various television specials.  And certainly, one of the best small dish options is a cheese plate.  And don't scrimp here.  It's New Year's Eve.  Only the best will do.