Materials
Clear plastic cocktail glasses
Beans, rice, buttons or brightly colored beads
Colored tape

Making noise--from blowing horns to ringing bells to shouting in the street--is an ancient and universal New Year's custom. According to old English tradition, bells are muffled just before midnight to show grief for the dying year, then the wrappings are removed at the stroke of 12 to make a gladsome sound. For a home-based First Night, the gentle noises made by Native American-style shakers and rattles may be best, and they may take less of a toll on your nerves. This version has the added advantage of being fashioned from those clear plastic cocktail glasses that folks tend to have on hand during the holidays. To make the shakers, pour a handful of beans, rice, buttons and/or colorful beads into a glass. Place another on top and, matching them rim to rim, tape the two together securely. As James Bond would have it, these should be shaken, not stirred.

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• New Year's Crafts