The traditional “ball drop” is so last year (and the year before that, and the year before that). But head to the Florida Keys and you’re bound to ring in the New Year as only the Keys can.

Yes, you will undoubtedly enjoy balmy temperatures and beachside fireworks. But it’s their unique version of Times Square’s ball drop that you’ll remember every year around New Year’s Eve.

At one location, people are expected to ring in the New Year by watching a gigantic manmade conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys, descend from the skies to the roof of Sloppy Joe’s Bar.

A few blocks away, a lavishly costumed female impersonator named Sushi will descend seconds before midnight in a super-sized red high heel suspended above the crowd.

In Key West’s Historic Seaport, just before midnight, a pirate wench will begin her descent from the top of the mast of a stately tall ship. There’s even festivities for pets.

I vote for dropping the ball. Give me the Keys, please.

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays, dating back 4000 years to ancient Babylon. The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted eleven days. Ours lasts only one night, so why not make it as fun as possible by incorporating costumes?

According to Allana Baroni, at getsocial.com, when guests get dressed up, they’re able to step outside themselves to mingle and flirt.

In this video, she shows you how to set up a Costume Station that will help coax your guest’s alter egos to come out and play.

There’s nothing like costumes to help you ring in the New Year with style!

British-Nigerian textile artist Yinka Shonibare is internationally recognized for his recreation of historical figures dressed in African print costumes.

The costumes are incredible, and his art is intriguing. If you notice, none of his figures have a head! Shonibare uses humor and parody to addresses issues of class in Nigeria and the British colonization during the Victorian era.

Fascinating! You can view all the photos HERE, and there’s also a 9-minute video where he talks about his art HERE (sorry, no embed code).

[via Saharan Vibe]

As far as dog costumes go, this is definitely one of the better ones. Although it can’t be fun to drag that alligator suit around, the poor puppy.

But it does look great! What a funny idea. I wonder how heavy that costume is?

[via Gizmodo]

These videos are quite odd. Can someone tell me what exactly is going on here?

It’s a Japanese game show involving cats in costumes, and I’m at a loss for words….

Thousands of Santas took over the streets of San Francisco last week for the annual Santacon. They filled up the malls, bars and downtown sidewalks, spreading goodwill and holiday cheer.

Santacon occurs in many cities throughout the world this time of year. As members of the Cacophony Society, their goal is to unite “in the pursuit of experiences beyond the pale of mainstream society through subversion, pranks, art, fringe explorations and meaningless madness.”

Sounds fun, and looks like a great time!

Here are a few photos from the event. Be sure to check out the giant SF Santacon photo gallery on Flickr.

As a kid, I remember my grandfather reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to me on Christmas Eve. Since then, I’ve heard a million different versions of the story…except for Batman’s version.

For superhero fans everywhere, here’s the “Dark Knight Before Christmas.”

I love what ThatCostumeGirl is doing over on her costume blog.

This week, she provides an excellent tutorial on How to Make an Elf Costume - with no sewing required! All the bases are covered: The shoes, the outfit and hat. Very helpful! And she looks terrific.

Best of all is her Elf Dance video that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I love it! What a great way to have fun with costumes and spread holiday cheer. Well done, TCG!

This is pretty cool. These people set a world record for the most costume changes by an individual in one minute. She changes her clothes 11 times! This was filmed on the set of Zheng Da Zong Yi for a Guinness World Records Special in Beijing in 2007.

Totally amazing. How do they do that?

The actual performance doesn’t start until about half-way through the video. Enjoy!

Try to picture the worst Christmas flick you can think of, and you still won’t come close to Santa Conquers the Martians (yes, it’s a real movie). A 1964 sci-fi film, Santa Conquers the Martians regularly appears on lists of the “worst films ever made” and at one time became a holiday staple on Comedy Central because it’s so, well, laughable.

Interestingly, despite its “bad movie” status, there is also a comic book version of the film.

In Santa Conquers the Martians, centuries of feeding education into the brains of Martian children through machines has resulted in their inability to experience individuality and freedom of thought. It is decided that the only way to help the children is to allow them to have some fun.

So, the Martian leaders kidnap Santa Claus from earth and bring him to Mars to make toys for the children of their planet. Of course, there’s an “evil” Martian (who’s about as scary as pet turtle) intent on foiling the fun.

Unfortunately, it’s not just the film’s storyline that stinks. The sets are crude, the acting is unforgivable, and the Martian costumes, well…those are my favorite. The helmets look like a cross between a TV set and scuba mask. You gotta love the 60’s!

Do any of you watch the TV sitcom How I Met Your Mother? The cast has done something funny again, this time in a photo-op that celebrates “The Best of 2008.”

Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigon, Josh Radnor and Jason Segel wear some great costumes, and as EW puts it, “reenact some of the year’s most memorable moments…memorably!”

Indiana Jones

Sex and the City

The V.P. Debate: Sarah Palin and Joe Biden

Michael Phelps and the 2008 Olympic Relay Team

The Jonas Brothers

These pictures crack me up! What a fun and original way to promote their TV show and celebrate the end of the year. Well done!

On the web: EW’s Best & Worst of 2008.