The end of the year is approaching fast and millions of people across the globe will be facing that age old dilemma of what to do on New Year’s Eve. I always struggle with this one. Part of me thinks it is an occasion that deserves to be celebrated in style whilst my more pragmatic side is jabbing me in the ribs and reminding me that it is really just another day. The inevitable consequence is procrastination and I rarely end up doing anything of note at all.

Have A HAPPY

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image courtesy of Vlado/freedigitalphotos.net

The Expense

I think my chief issue with New Year’s Eve is the cost. Anything you might consider doing comes at a premium price and I usually end up deciding that whatever I fancy doing could be enjoyed any other day of the year for half the price. Or I could do whatever it is twice of course which I usually do. Every year I look at the options and then end up screaming “how much?” and deciding against it!

The Millennium

There have been a couple of notable exceptions to my New Year’s Eve failures. Sadly none of these occurred on the occasion of the turn of the millennium which was a big deal as far as I was concerned, mainly because I felt it was a minor miracle that I had lived to see it. Unfortunately I spent the night enduring the world’s most terrible party at a relative’s house. Clearly most of the intended guests had benefitted from more insight than I and had gone elsewhere leaving a handful of us wandering around aimlessly waiting for the big moment. When midnight finally arrived the promised fireworks in the garden were a horrible damp squib and I frankly couldn’t wait to leave.

London

The other major disaster was the one time that I decided to brave the crowds in London to see the Fireworks at the London Eye. It was a horrible experience with millions of people milling around inebriated and I ended up choosing the worst place in London to view the show. Standing on the South Bank somewhere near the National Theatre the view was completely obscured by smoke within seconds. I would have had a better chance of seeing the extravaganza if I had been in Birmingham!

The East End

The Best New Year’s Eve I ever managed was a complete accident. I was suffering my usual hideous attack of indecision when a friend insisted that I spend the evening in the local pub. I couldn’t think of anything I would rather do less but in the absence of a viable excuse I set off for the Boleyn in Upton Park. Quite a few drinks later I was apparently seen performing a rousing chorus of “Knees Up Mother Brown” whilst dancing on the pool table. I don’t remember any of it but it sounds like I had a good night!

This year I have had an uncharacteristic episode of decisive action. I will be on holiday over the festive period and have booked a table at my favourite restaurant in Ljubljana. The meal will be followed by festivities and fireworks in the main square. Knowing my friends things couldn’t possibly be that simple and I will probably be seen sporting an amusing fancy dress costume, reprising “Knees Up Mother Brown” and being thrown out of the restaurant. Oh well, at least it won’t be boring!

Sally Stacey is a keen writer and business owner who divides her time between writing and running her shop. New Year’s Eve is always a problem one way or another and so she is hoping for a successful night this year.