What is the difference between New Year resolutions and promises?

Answer 1

After consulting some dictionaries, blogs and my own common sense, I come to the following. A resolution is a determination (or resolve) one makes to do an act. Whereas, a promise is primarily a vow one makes do an act. In other words, every promise is a resolution, but, every resolution is not a promise.

You cannot go back on promise, because it is like a contract you make with yourself or other people (parties, they call in law). However, a resolution may be broken. For instance, you can say that you were so moved by emotions at that time and so now you break your resolve or determination. But, if you make a promise then, boy you're bound to it.