Now, I know I’m not the only one who feels this way about the 31st of December every year. New Years Eve. The celebration of the passing from one year to another marked with champagne, fireworks and non-kept resolutions. A night of fun and laughter shared with your loved ones over the holidays, it’s the end of year event we all look forward to.
Except — we don’t.
Sorry to be a grinch, but I hate NYE. Everything about it. The frantic plans made either months before or the night before (there is no in-between). If you’re a girl, the necessary money spent on makeup, hair and the new dress. The swarming crowds blocking your view of the fireworks in the overpriced park you paid to enter. The anxiousness of the big countdown if there’s no ‘love of your life’ to embrace passionately at midnight. The feeling that you should probably book a trip away somewhere else for New Years, because it’ll definitely be more magical in Sydney/Bali/New York. The pressure to make resolutions you know you can’t keep, evidenced by your trip to drive-thru Maccas the next morning. The realisation dawning on you that your summer holidays are now over.
Yep. I think we can all at least agree that NYE is overrated and overpriced. An event which always makes me feel inadequate and underprepared no matter how much I deem it a ‘non-event’ each year. It’s sad really, something that seemed so exciting as a kid is now avoided, played down, and somewhat dreaded. (Not unlike birthdays after 30).
Christmas, on the other hand, is such a loved holiday with all its decorations and festive cheer. A laid back day spent with family and/or friends, eating copious amounts of food and opening presents. A day spent at the beach or by the pool if you live in Australia, or by the fire in your winter woollies if you’re having a white one with our Northern Hemisphere friends. Christmas cheer is hard to beat and comes with no dressed up expectations apart from relaxation, and food.
So what are your plans for NYE this year? Because at the moment, I plan to sleep through it after one too many Campari Soda’s.
Sincerely, The NY Grinch.