Seems like every family has their own personal New Year's dinner and dessert traditions, but it always seems to me like the perfect time to experiment with something fun, different, and delicious. For instance, why not bake up really sweet, scrumptious, adult-only cupcakes you've never tried before? Maybe with a generous dose of bubbly for a celebratory kick?

Hence these pink champagne cupcakes recipe, which could also be perfect for a baby shower, bridal shower, or even bachelorette! Check it out ...

In less than 24 hours, 2012 will officially come to a close and we'll usher in 2013, with high hopes for a happy new year! Whether you're going to a party or hanging out with your honey and the kids on the couch, there are a plethora of ways to celebrate New Year's Eve ... But most celebrations generally have one thing in common: Watching the Times Square Ball Drop, of course! Because it just wouldn't exactly feel like New Year's until the ball falls and we see 2013 in lights.

Thankfully, this year especially, there are more ways than ever to watch the ball drop live. Check 'em out ...

Well, New Year's Eve 2013 officially marks our first without Dick Clark in four decades. Although Clark had given over most his NYE hosting duties to Ryan Seacrest after his 2004 stroke anyway, this year we're going to get a real taste of Seacrest solo at the reigns. Of course, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest and the annual Times Square ball drop isn't your only option for New Year's Eve TV viewing, celebrity sightings, and musical performances. There's lots of good stuff to see so get ready to channel surf or set the DVR.

Here's the New Year's Eve television lineup. Find out where you can watch Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Honey Boo Boo, Ke$ha, Snooki & JWoww, Ne-Yo, Fergie, Jimmy Fallon, and more, as they ring in the New Year!

Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa may be all about decadent, rich food, but New Year's is all about the delicious DRINKS! Oh, sure, the traditional beverage of choice is champagne ... or if you prefer the Italian version like I do, then prosecco. But there's a whole world of interesting, inventive cocktails perfect for ringing in 2013!

Here, five wow-worthy cocktail recipes made for New Year's Eve ...

Of course Christmas cookies are one of the most delightful parts of the season, especially for those of us who have a secret (or not so secret) sweet tooth. But just because Christmas is over doesn't mean the baking fun has to stop! New Year's Eve presents the perfect opportunity to make tasty, more "adult-oriented," celebratory treats ... like these champagne cookies.

If you love the taste of bubbly and sugar cookies, too -- and let's be real, who doesn't?! -- this recipe is for you.

Happy Year of the Dragon! Whether you're thinking about making super babies or just planning to set off fire crackers, you're going to need some delicious food in you to start the lunar new year off right. It's true you could head to your closest Chinese restaurant, but everyone will be thinking the same thing.

Why not create your own feast in your home? Put on the pot for tea, and sharpen up the chopsticks, because it's totally doable to be your own Chinese diner. While there are many styles of Chinese cuisine, the one you probably are most familiar with is Cantonese. So if you want to go traditional Cantonese in the year the dragon rules, check out these recipes for a festive Chinese new year menu, and get ready for a year of fantastic fortune.

I don't know about you, but this year we're staying home for New Year's. After an early dinner at a neighborhood restaurant, we'll be heading back to our place, moving the furniture out of the way, and dancing the night away. This means we'll need fuel!

Time to dig out some of our favorite party appetizer recipes. I'm looking for quick, easy snacks -- but something a little more exciting than potato chips and onion dip. Something light that won't weigh us down. And maybe a few unexpected treats!

Pigs in a blanket are the party app just about everybody loves -- kids and grown-ups. They're cute, little, savory, crunchy, and don't you love saying that silly name out loud? It's the snack that says "party!"

They're also incredibly easy to make -- remove from box and heat, if you can find them pre-made and frozen. If you can't find frozen pigs in a blanket, just cut up hot dogs (or buy cocktail wieners) and wrap them in triangles of puff pastry dough. Now that you know the basics, why not dress them up a little for the New Year? Rachael Ray's twist on the classic gives them extra crunch and three zingy dipping sauces for your guests to choose.