New years eve has always been a time for jokes about balls dropping, etc.  I don't know if they are doing that in New York this year, but my guess is that they aren't.  

I often encourage my friends to be better listeners to one another, and to show more empathy and emotional intelligence.  You never know what the people around you are going through or what kind of day they are having until you ask that magical question "how are you"?....etc.