Ugh. New Year’s.

Posted on December 27, 2007 11 Comments

New Year’s Eve always seems like a precarious balancing act. Where can I have the most fun, be with the best crowd, eat the tastiest meal and spend the least amount of money? All-night deals often SEEM like a good idea, until you realize you’ve spent $150 on a wristband and there’s only one bartender for 1,000 people. House parties, too, can be fun, until you realize no cabs are available in that particular neighborhood to take you home until 4:00 a.m. Staying in? No matter how fantastic the lil‘ smokies in crescents taste, you’re bound to feel just a twinge of regret as all those happy-go-lucky folks in Times Square live it up on your tele.

I’ve done just about every different thing you can do on a New Year’s all in hopes of scoring the PERFECT NIGHT. B and I have dressed it up, dressed it down, spent it in Chicago, spent it apart in different cities, spent it at home, attended parties, celebrated in bars, stayed at hotels, stayed with friends, ate pasta, ate fondue, ate steak, ate lobster… you name it.

This year we’re repeating a plan we’ve done for the past two years that’s been the best idea we’ve had yet. We go out for a semi-nice, casual dinner, followed by a long evening at a small bar within walking distance from my apartment that has no cover charge and no drink specials for the evening. Basically, it’s just a regular weekend night out, but with funny hats and noisemakers. Instead of drink specials, we just spend what we spend… besides, I can never drink $150 worth of alcohol anyway.

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How are you guys planning on celebrating the New Year?

I’m especially interested to know how readers from other countries are celebrating. It always seems like it would be so cool to celebrate in a far-off country.

Category: Old Posts

Comments

11 Responses to “Ugh. New Year’s.”

  1. Anonymous
    December 27th, 2007 @ 5:17 pm

    my wife and I have to be out of our rental by Jan 1st, so we’ll be kicking off the New Year by moving into my parents’ basement until we can close on our new home later next month.

    but actually, I’m excited about New Year’s Eve. My 55 y.o. mother has never seen Casablanca, so we’re bringing that over and the fondue set that we randomly received as a Christmas gift this year.

  2. Nicole
    December 27th, 2007 @ 5:37 pm

    I heart fondue.

  3. xo
    December 27th, 2007 @ 5:45 pm

    I live in NYC. Last year was my best new years. Me and a bunch of friends hung out at home, drinking wine & getting dressed. Then we all turned up at a loft party (that we heard about earlier that day from a neighbor) with a couple six packs. There was dancing, a live band, etc. It was only a 5 minute walk from home. We ended up at a really crowded bar afterwards.

    We probably spent about $20 or $30 each and had a really great, low-key time. The lack of planning kept expectations low.

  4. Little Miss Moneybags
    December 27th, 2007 @ 6:42 pm

    I used to work at an office in Times Square, and that killed ANY desire I had to do New Year’s there.

    My favorite parties were the ones I had in college–my best friend and I went to different schools, and always made sure to spend New Year’s together, catching up and making themed resolutions.

    I’m now a belly dancer in addition to my day job, and this year (like last year) I’ll be working New Year’s Eve. It’s a lot of fun–they tend to be really high end parties, and I get paid to be there, plus I’m more than just an attendee, I’m the entertainment! The downside is not being with loved ones, but since my friends and I never do anything for NYE, I don’t mind too bad.

  5. Kizz
    December 27th, 2007 @ 9:16 pm

    I’m mostly a stay at homer for NYE but last year friend’s turned me on to a really cool event within walking distance of both our houses so we socialized at their place, went to a local art school where there’s this crazy steam pipe exhibition and tons of people from the ‘hood carrying their champagne and plastic glasses. We rang in the new year there then back to their place for waffles then I walked home with my dog. It was possibly the most perfect NYE I’ve ever had and I’m looking forward to a repeat performance.

  6. Anonymous
    December 28th, 2007 @ 12:47 am

    I live in NYC and agree with the $150 wristband when there’s 1 bartender for 1000 people…plus last year the bouncer tried to get ppl to pay extra to get to the front of the line, and there was one bathroom!!! Let’s just say I won’t be doing that again this year.

  7. Anonymous
    December 28th, 2007 @ 3:36 pm

    I agree that the more hyped a party is, the less fun it’s bound to be. Even if it is a really fun party, I’m always thinking in the back of my head: “This is awesome. But is it *$150* awesome?” I’d rather have half a plane ticket to visit my friends in other cities, or $150 in the bank, instead!

  8. Nicole
    December 28th, 2007 @ 6:26 pm

    Totally!!! LOL!

  9. Amy
    December 28th, 2007 @ 6:31 pm

    I always host a “boring new years eve party” for my friends. Everyone always have the option of coming over and hanging out with me as long as they know it will be BORING. It’s usually a small gathering but it has started to get the reputation of not being boring so more people show up each year.

    This year theme is the Boring New Year’s Eve Pajama party.

    Happy New Year!

  10. MEG
    December 28th, 2007 @ 9:25 pm

    I’m headed to Vegas for New Years. I won’t be on the strip or partying it up in a club though (and not just because I’ll be there with family).

    I stay downtown and celebrate New Years on Freemont Street. They have several live bands (usually some good, big names) and great light shows. And the crowd isn’t quite so crazy as on the strip.

    I wish I was going to be with friends or my BF, but my family invited me to Vegas, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity! With any luck I’ll be at the tables winning thousands of dollars as the ball drops. :-)

  11. Anonymous
    January 6th, 2008 @ 6:27 pm

    In Charleston, SC they have a free celebration downtown that used to be “First Night” but is now “Happy New Years Charleston”. There are performances around downtown including gospel singers, improv comedy, African drumming, etc., and it ends with a fireworks show. It is totally free!

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