Vanessa Hudgens Prefers a Low-Key New Year’s Eve: ‘Being Able to Control the Playlist Is Always a Bonus’

Vanessa Hudgens might live a Hollywood life, but her New Year’s Eve festivities are far from fancy. The 28-year-old actress revealed to Yahoo Celebrity that she can’t remember the last time she welcomed the New Year in a big way.

“I kind of prefer just being at home with my close friends and just having a party at the house,” she explained. “I like having a party at the house and decorating festively. Being able to control the playlist is always a bonus, and I love popping Champagne at midnight!”

Related: If She Wasn’t an Actress, Vanessa Hudgens Would Be a Party Planner

Hudgens said that if we had asked her how she liked to spend Dec. 31 a few years ago, we would have gotten a very different answer. In her younger days, the High School Musical alum was always trying to secure exciting plans to ring in the New Year. However, one of her fondest NYE memories involves a “boring” night of watching Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with her family.

“When I was 15 or 16, I spent New Year’s in my mom’s bed with my sister and my mom. We all watched the ball drop together on TV,” she recalled. “At the time, I was like, ‘Ah this is such a bummer; I wish I was out with my friends.’ But looking back, I see how beautiful it was that we got to have that memory together.”

To welcome 2016, Hudgens had a blast hanging out with her Grease Live! co-stars. But while she insists her gatherings are low-key, the outfits are always on point.

“I’m like the biggest holiday person,” she said. “So any single holiday that you throw at me, I’m going to be dressed for that holiday. I’m going to be in that spirit!”

She’s not quite as excited about New Year’s resolutions, but noted that she’s constantly working on self-improvement: “I feel like I set goals frequently for myself, and New Year’s is just another great excuse to set new ones.”