It’s New Years Eve. Blah, Blah, Blah
Have I ever told you about my most unfavorite holiday? No?!? Well you are in for a treat, my friends, because TODAY is the day that I’ll reveal my vote for the most disappointing holiday.
New Year’s Eve. Gag. Me.
Am I the only human alive that thinks that New Year’s Eve is the most overrated of all holidays (followed closely by Valentine’s Day-which is a whole ‘nother post in itself)?
Every year, from the age of about 10 or 11 until just a few years ago, I had the highest of high hopes for New Year’s Eve. Oh the festivities! Oh the celebrating! The confetti! Everyone laughing! Everyone having the greatest time ever! The kiss! (The kiss was the most coveted thing from approximately age 18 and on.) Ever the optimist, I was certain that each year would different.
And every year, I was disappointed.
No festivities. Lame celebrations, if there was any celebration at all. Zero confetti (which I realize now is a good thing.) Some people laughing, some people having the greatest time ever. But me? I may have been laughing, but only because I was afraid I’d cry since I was so disappointed.
In movies and TV shows, New Year’s Eve is so built up. It always looks like such a fun and magical time, but never have I once had a magical experience. As a kid, my mom would go to bed on New Year’s extra late…10:00! My dad would nod off watching some horribly boring TV show and suddenly wake up around 11:59 and mumble something about, “happy new year. I’m going to bed.” As a teenager, there was never anything to do. Nobody I hung around with had parties. If we did get together, we didn’t do anything that we couldn’t have done on February 3rd or April 27th. In college, my friends had gone home for the holiday break, and I imagined them all attending formal galas, drinking champagne, and getting kissed by Hottie McHotson at the stroke of midnight while I sat at home, bored out of my ever-loving mind.
The one year I did have a boyfriend (finally!), we went to Kansas City with plans to paint the town red! (Read: pay too much to attend some organized party, get all sweaty in a too-crowded ballroom, and drink waaaaay too much cheap liquor and toast the new year with champagne out of plastic flutes.) My boyfriend being a cheap-ass and unbeknownst to me, planning on breaking up with me, he changed his mind at the last minute. We ended up hanging out at my aunt and uncle’s house then falling asleep before midnight. Fun!!!!!!! Whee!!!!!!! He broke up with me January 3rd.
After meeting Tate, we went to some of our friends’ houses for New Years. They were fun parties, but again, they weren’t anything that we couldn’t have done any time. Nobody dressed up, there were no horns or party hats, everyone crashed on the floor.
Now that we have kids, I don’t think I’ve rung in the new year the past three years. I wouldn’t doubt that this year will be more of the same. I do have super exciting plans to make the Pioneer Woman’s wings and drinking a beer, though. Thrilling, no?
Have you ever had a really terrific New Year’s Eve? What are your plans this year?
We stay in with some friends and have game night. Thrilling I know.
Not a big fan of New Year’s Eve either.
In my younger years my friends and I would rent a hotel room in Times Square. That was a lot of fun. That is, when you’re 20 and don’t mind strangers puking on your shoes.
Good times.
Happy New Year!
LifeAsIKnowIt’s last blog post..Ode To Christmas
oh don’t even get me started on NYE and all it is supposed to be !!!l Hell I lived in NYC for 13 years……that is 13 years of unbelievable pressure to have the most super NYE EVA. I even got roped into hosting a few parties at bars. This meant I had to freaken promote my party, PRAY people will come (or I foot the bill) and pray that people will have fun. I have had so many f)*&*^ up NYE, fights with boyfriends, fights with friends, kissing a friend….honestly I get a little sick thinking about all my NYE past.
That is except for NYE 2000. Me and 3 other girl friends decided to get out of NYC and go skiing in NH. Yes we meet some young boys, hung out with them, danced, kissed and had an overall BLAST. THey even cam to visit us in nyc (their first time there - YOUNG). I meet my husband feb of 2000 so in a way it was my send off before I was a taken woman.
feener’s last blog post..The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
There are only two things I like about New Years Eve.
1. I get to put up a new calendar.
2. My husband has New Year’s Day off of work - which means I can sleep in, until, like 8.
I can’t remember the last time I “rang in the new year”.
Cathy’s last blog post..My Eyes!
We are going to take down our Christmas decorations and share a tiny bottle of champagne.
Our little tax deduction is definitely not coming in 2007!
canape’s last blog post..One year ago. One year later.
Eight years ago I had the best New Year’s Eve celebration (12/31/99) That was the day my awesome twins were born! My millennium miracles! Each day since then has been a celebration and the fact that the new year begins at the moment their birthday ends is marvelous excuse for a party!
We’re staying home, having a nice dinner and having a few friends over. I’m hoping to stay awake until midnight, or at least have the husband stay awake until midnight!
Alison’s last blog post..Christmas Eve
The best thing about New Year’s Eve is the fact that it’s followed by New Year’s Day. I’m always game for a day off of work.
One of these days, I would really like to go to Times Square and party down. Those people just look like they are having SO MUCH FUN. I’d probably fall asleep around 10:00 (like I always do), but it’s good to dream. I think.
Burgh Baby’s Mom’s last blog post..Random Thoughts Strike Again
You are SO right. NYE must be the most overrated holiday of all time. We’re spending it alone, probably drinking and watching TV. Which, all in all, isn’t such a bad thing!
bananas’s last blog post..The Christmas recap with a MORAL for ME
My current ILs always have a party. No, we don’t dress up (though they would be open to it if we suggested it…they are cool like that) but they do get the party kits with the horns and clappers and all that…and lots and lots of alcohol. Then at midnight they take out the pots and pans and bang them on the front porch for a few minutes. Apparently *everyone* does this up north though we never did down south.
My dad and first step mom would always have parties as well. My dad played guitar and he had a few friends that played various other instruments and they would *pick and grin* all night and of course get liquored up.
Both times were fun to me as I loved to hear my dad play and now the ILs just crack me up. They are funny drunks and love to party and I always get a kick out of them trying to dance. The more they drink the funnier it gets.
You know, you could host your own party…it would be diffictult with little ones in the house…but when they get bigger why not plan a potluck part and ask everyone to dress up? Chances are everyone has had the same experience and you and never thought about having a big party for New Year.
Sandy’s last blog post..5:32 a.m.
Definitely over-rated. We usually end up staying home and watching the ball drop …. thrilling, huh?
This year we’re actually going to a potluck party good friends of ours are having. Kids are invited too so I’m guessing we’ll be home by 9 :00 or 9:30 (or earlier if the noise gets to be too much for SB). D will fall asleep before midnight and it will be me, my bump, and the ball.
Happy New Year Jennifer!!
tulipmom’s last blog post..Movin’ Out
Since having my son and being pregnant this year I probably won’t even make it till mid-night. I am looking forward to a nice quiet evening and the next day off from work (the best thing about New Years for me)!
Cara’s last blog post..Crafty
Since being pregnant with my first, then having a six month old, and now being pregnant again, suffice it to say the last few NYE, I’ve been asleep by 11 or so.
It is highly overrated for those of us with children.
Growing up, we had family parties where the kids got to stay up late, eating snacks and watching TV while the parents played cards. Then at midnight, we’d all go outside and band pots and pans. My family made it fun.
I had great fun in college and the few years afterward before baby, and I think it will be fun again when my kids can celebrate it.
As for now, I’ll take sleep over that skeleton of a man Carson Daly.
AndreAnna’s last blog post..My Favorite Things of 2007
Girl, you are one step ahead of me. I’m not even going to expel the energy it takes to melt butter. (The wings are so very YUM!)
I have also been disappointed with this holiday. Again and again. The only time I really enjoyed myself is when the hubby and I first moved in together (read “shacked up”) and set off some illegal fireworks with friends. It was the thrill of my friend’s husband almost blowing his hand off (he did singe his eyebrows a bit) that made the evening a success. All other times, no big fancy formal party or anything (ala When Harry Met Sally).
V-Day - same disappointing stinkin’ holiday. Too many expectations.
Mama DB’s last blog post..Deck the hips with sugar and fat, FALALALALA LALALALA…
Generally I think New Years Eve is pretty stupid, but I did have one fantastic one. We drove to The Big City (I lived in a medium sized city at the time) where my Dad lived (I was 20?) and went up onto the roof of his apartment building where all the other people went to watch the kickass fireworks display The Big City put on because it was awholenewmilleniumomg! It was pretty cool and super fun.
All other years I tend to go to bed early just for spite.
Kelly’s last blog post..2! 2 White Hairs (aH aH AH!)
I’m with you 100% (with this and the Valentines thing). We usually do nothing - occasionally we would have friends over and play games and drink. I avoid going out for dinner as the one year we did they doubled the price of their meal just because it was New Years. So shifty. This year the husband and I will be watching a DVD and drinking by ourselves. Ooh, the excitement.
andi’s last blog post..The obligatory Christmas recap post
The two years that I worked at the night club were the most exciting times I had on New Year’s Eve.
That’s pretty bad when WORK is involved in your best New Year’s Eve memories, huh?
RWA’s last blog post..Resolutions, anybody?
It’s funny…for me NYE used to be my absolute favorite holiday, followed by Fourth of July…something magical always seemed to happen.
Now, we watch the ball fall in Times Square (which for us on the West Coast is at 9pm) then go to bed, and I haven’t been to a fireworks display in years.
I can’t help but think that perhaps I need to shake it up a bit and let that magic back into my life…it sure isn’t going to come find us holed up in our house.
Christine’s last blog post..How many metaphors can I mix in one short post?
Not to sound lame, I love New Year’s Eve when I get to go to my mom’s for her party. I know, it sounds totally retarded. But my mom throws a wicked-ass part-ay, especially when my sisters are there, and all the other family friends we grew up with. It’s always a rockin’ good time. We indulge in mullet wigs and fine drink à la Baby Duck. Mmmm…
When I am not doing the mom-party thing, though, I find NYE to be a drag. I won’t even be awake until midnight tonight, since Murphy’s Law tells me that the little dude will be up at 5:45 am tomorrow morning to punish me.
mrs. mustard’s last blog post..Possibly the ugliest gingerbread house ever made
My sister and her family are coming for the night, and BRINGING dinner, which is pretty awesome….I don’t think I could handle Bad’s 5:30 am wake-up call if we stayed out celebrating….
I’ve only ever had one really amazing New Year’s Eve of the type you speak….I was 19 and went to Edinburgh with 2 friends….drank waaay too much, kissed too many boys….I’ve still got photos hidden away upstairs. In the end though, I think now I’m happier at home with the people I really love.
Badness Jones’s last blog post..Let’s Party Like it’s 1999….
When I was 16 I kissed the guy who would become my first really serious boyfriend at a New Year’s party (but not until well after midnight). Of course, that ended up being a nightmare of a relationship, so I don’t know if that’s a good or bad New Year’s.
Finding a babysitter for New Year’s is next to impossible, so we’re sitting at home…again. But this year some friends are coming over - they have kids, too, so we can all be depressed together.
Christina’s last blog post..Tougher Skin
Umm, I will be at work processing crime scenes. Good times. I hate working when stupid drunk people are out and about. All they do is crash cars, fight, and do stupid things.
If I was off tonight, I would be in bed at like 9pm.
I lead such an exciting life, right?
Ugh, and everyone at work is trying to get the night off. It’s ridiculous. Seriously, I’m like people you are 30-45 years old. Is their a frat party tonight? Dumb!!
I’m soo with you. This is a dumb holiday!
Julie D.’s last blog post..The Aftermath
My sis got married last NYE, so that was the most fun I’ve ever head (sipping Dom! wearing a pretty dress! and heels! staying overnight with no kids!) so tonight is guaranteed to be a letdown…
Hubby is making ribs and potato salad and we’ll ring in the New Year with my parents. *yawn*
Sarah at In the Trenches’s last blog post..Christmas Aftermath
dude, i’m with you!
shaz’s last blog post..Snowboarding for the first time at 30
Ummm…I haven’t celebrated New Years the past few years either!!
Hubby tried to make plans, hoping it would be some great big joyous deal…and it wasn’t. The person he tried to make plans with forgot he had said anything (LAST week…you have to remind people these things)…and made plans with someone else.
Two years ago we went to the neighbors for New YEars with M and DC. I didn’t know I was preggers at the time and was yelled at by my neighbor for getting too skinny (too skinny at 5 months preggers? Oh, how I miss those days)…I had a glass of champagne and left immediately after midnight with a cranky M…only to be puked on not ten minutes later while rocking her. GREAT way to ring in the New Year, no?
Although I still have to say…Valentines Day is my most hated…New Years is second
Hey, maybe once you move here next year we can have a big Indy Mom New Year blowout…give us the New Years we never had! *lol*
Sadie’s last blog post..What do you think?
8 years since I’ve stayed up until midnight.
That’s almost a decade.
And I don’t care.
Queen of Shake Shake’s last blog post..In 2008 I Will….Yeah, You Really Don’t Care
This sounds like a LEARNING CURVE problem.
Swistle’s last blog post..The Sixth Day of Christmas: 75% Off Target Day!
Unfortunately, no champagne this year. I had my gall bladder out last week and still take a percocet before going to bed. ( I once took a vicodin five hours after having a margarita. I hallucinated all night long. I do not mix prescription drugs and alcohol, no matter how much I love champagne.)
I’ve actually had several wonderful New Year’s parties. They’ve all happened the past couple years, just small parties with married friends from all over the country who hardly ever get to get together. Last year was annoying, because I was pregnant and everyone kept asking me to mix drinks for them, but I still had a lovely time.
My most hated holiday is easily Valentine’s Day…
dragonfly’s last blog post..my list of things to do: a monday mission by the little mister
p.s. I am not staying up until midnight tonight. I have a six month old baby. I love sleep!
dragonfly’s last blog post..my list of things to do: a monday mission by the little mister
ooh! new header again!
we almost never do anything! this year we are going over to friends’ house for dinner and will be home by 8pm to put the kids to bed. as the kids get older, i can see doing a nice family ritual on new year’s eve maybe … goals and dreams, year review, etc…. but nothing quite like what the movies/news/advertisers make it out to be that’s for darn sure!
sometimes i just stay up all night practicing writing 2008 on my checks…
phyllis’s last blog post..My Little Beauty…
You sound like my kinda woman, Jennifer. I hope to stay up until 10:30 drinking a B&J. I don’t even know what we’re eating, if anything.
Wow. Homemade wings. I don’t fry mine. I do the shove them in the bag in the oven. Yours look very HOT.
Anglophile Football Fanatic’s last blog post..The Griswolds in Texas Part II
Boring, boring, boring… I was just thinking the same thing. I may or may not be awake at midnight, but will definitely be home. If we’re “lucky”, maybe a couple of the “guys” (OE’s family/employees) will come play pool. Oh what fun.
I can’t remember the last time we went anywhere for NYE.
We stay home and alternate watching TV and shooting off fireworks. Some years we make ice cream sundaes. It’s fun, and it keeps us off the roads, lol.
Cindy’s last blog post..2007 - Year in Review
I am SO GLAD to find out that I am not the only one who considers New Year’s Eve the worst holiday of the year. I love to celebrate things, but the thought of celebrating tonight makes me want to gag.
I plan on staying at home….and I doubt that I see 2008 come in, as I will almost certainly already be sleeping. Clearly I am a wild, wild party girl. Or perhaps the most boring person alive…but I will also be one of the most well rested, so I think it’s probably worth it!
Maggie’s last blog post..Best Shot Monday - Miracles
I am with you- this is an overrated holiday. I am working at 7am in the morning and therefore will be in bed long before the ball drops. As I type, the cat and I are curled up on the couch and i sure will soon be asleep….
Amanda’s last blog post..HOORAYYYYY!!!!!
I cannot stand New Year’s, and Jan. 1 is even worse. This year? Hopefully cough syrup and an early bedtime - for all of us.
Best New Year’s Ever? Trafalgar Square, London, 1989, when a drunken Scotsmen gave me a glass of something - dunno what - AND I DRANK IT. Ah, the stupidity of 17.
Happy ‘08 to you, friend.
Mrs. Chicken’s last blog post..The Poo’s Perspective
Your description of New Year’s Eve was exactly how I felt about my prom. They were always so pretty and pink in the movies. Mine was in a warehouse with about 10 balloons and some confetti strewn across two tables. And my date was a dork. I’m ambivalent about New Year’s, but that day never let me down the way my prom did. Hope you have a great new year anyway!
I took a nap today, so I may stay up until 10:00…oh and I’ll probably get in the hot tub when the kids go to sleep. Wehew!!
Smiling Mom’s last blog post..Fodder
Love the new header!
Cathy’s last blog post..It’s New Year’s Eve! or is it?
Once again, we feel exactly the same. NYE is a lame night bound to be filled with disappointment. I’ve learned the onlyl way to have a good time is to limit my goals to eating comfort food, snuggling up with my sweetie and watching movie, giving up all pretense of being able to stay awake until midnight.
We’ll have to revisit Valentine’s Day at another time b/c that is, by far, my least favorite holiday of all time. Followed by NYE.
Shelly’s last blog post..Christmas Wrap Up
My plans this year? Sadly, writing a comment to you. Or actually happily.
Stimey’s last blog post..What Google Thinks I Wrote About This Year
Funny I just posted about not liking New Years. Never have. Maybe for the same reason. Not sure really.
The only one I liked was when I was eight. Big party at my dad’s bosses house. They had a pool and jacuzzi, a pool table, new movies, “kid cocktails”, confetti and real fireworks. Then again, every party at their house after that was fun. So, yeah I’m not into it either.
ps. I like the new header. Very cute.
Phoenix’s last blog post..Happy New Years….or whatever
Im not a new year fan either.
we’re really boring. a dvd and martinelli’s sparkling apple cider. my daughter blew up a slew of those dorky poppers. made her happy. that’s what counts for me.
otherwise? meh.
janet’s last blog post..Fun Monday #46: the funny joke edition
Well, I did get engaged on New Year’s Day 2000. And I was pretty sure what was coming the night before.
Emily R’s last blog post..The Lazy Mother’s Guide to Bathroom-water conservation
I’m also a hater of the Eve. That and Valentine’s. Both SUCK.
Mine last night ended at 1030. Whew. Well - it was about an hour later than last year!
Teri’s last blog post..Knitting Resolutions
I have had enough crazy NYEs to last a lifetime. Now that I am 40, with 3 little ones that wake at 7 a.m., NYE is quiet.
I usually try to make it just a little bit special. I cook a nicer dinner (last night I had shrimp scampi), have some wine, we watched our local fireworks early show at 7, put the kids to bed, then watched a movie. I was in bed, but not asleep at midnight.
We don’t have a crazy NYE anymore, but when NYD comes along, and I am not hungover, or tired, I am SO glad I am done with those days!!!
Irene’s last blog post..Will it be a “happy” new year??
happy new year!
ali’s last blog post..lose the weight in oh-eight would be easy if the oreo cakesters weren’t so oh-my-god good…
Guess you gotta come party with me on New Years. I’ll show you what its all about! That could also mean getting you drunk and taking advantage of you. Hope you dont mind!
Miss’s last blog post..2007 In Pictures
OMG, me too. You put into words something I could never have explained. I hate it, dread it.
However, this one time?!…Several of my friends and I attended an organized NYE party from a ginormouse church, so no beer
and the guy I went with and was dating, ditched me to dance with other chicks. I was mortified. It stunk and I had to be carried to the car because my feet hurt from the heels I wore! So, it was a big partay..but it like, totally sucked. SO, no more partying for me.
mandy’s last blog post..Well
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