Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Hate New Years Eve / Day

114 replies

Aquarius1234 · 28/12/2022 00:54

No I don't feel any joy when the clock strikes midnight.
I just wanna contuine watching a film etc but feel compelled to clock watch!
I've only ever had a few good decent new year eves and even then it felt forced.
I don't have Any plans so feel like I should suddenly find a friend or do something. But have learnt to accept staying home isn't anything to be ashamed about.

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 28/12/2022 07:23

I find it a bit depressing (another year of my life over). But I also dread it because my dog is terrified of fireworks and makes herself quite ill, I will be sedating her.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 28/12/2022 07:28

OldTinHat · 28/12/2022 05:02

I always bumble to bed about 9pm and get really pissed off at midnight when inconsiderate neighbours let off fireworks and wake me up.

Let me slide into a new year peacefully, please, as I similarly slide into a new day, week and month!

I'm similar. I'm not bothered with NYE/day at all. I don't make resolutions, it just feels like another day to me. And . .. Christmas isn't over as far as I'm concerned!! Don't want Christmas usurped by bloody NYE!

Lulu1919 · 28/12/2022 07:30

Not a fan of NYE parties either ..never have but in my early 50s now
We just usually have a night in but with a nice meal and chocs etc
This year we are away for the weekend - only in a uk city ...just for a change of scene ..no party but again a nice meal...and some games around the table.

MermaidMummy06 · 28/12/2022 07:33

I don't care either way. I do dislike the 'what are you doing' question people who have plans always ask. Makes me feel quite embarrassed to not have an invite somewhere!

Usually we take advantage of the local council celebration. We go when it opens at 4pm & isn't busy & tell the DC to go nuts on the free rides. Watch the free concert and fireworks, home by 8:30pm.

This year there's nothing on so we'll just be watching fireworks on telly!

I do hate the neighborhood parties though. If you want a loud party go to a venue!!

Turtletotem · 28/12/2022 07:33

Els1e · 28/12/2022 05:52

I’m not interested in new year. If it wasn’t for my mother making a fuss and keep saying things, well it could be my last, I wouldn’t bother. If you are able, do what you want to do.

My mother used this blackmail on the night of the Millennium 'if you take your kids to London and don't stay home with us (her my dad and my grandmother) and one of us dies this year you'll live to regret it'
I went to London, never regret it for a minute! And it did turn out to be my grandmother's last new year.
It was the turning point for me not to be answering to her or anyone else.

lollipoprainbow · 28/12/2022 07:35

Hate it but always feel compelled to stay up until midnight despite saying every year I won't ! Don't like New Year's Day and always glad to get January out of the way.

taurussally · 28/12/2022 07:38

GnomeDePlume · 28/12/2022 06:10

New Years Eve is one of the things I miss from our time in the Netherlands.

For one night our quiet, reserved little town would go a little bit crazy. Fireworks being set off throughout the evening. Then at midnight the full insanity with everyone setting off their own fireworks in the street. The noise and the flashes were amazing. One year the lake in front of our house froze solid (solid enough to skate on) and the noise of the fireworks echoed off this.

At the same time people promenaded up and down the street with glasses of champagne wishing each other happy new year.

Then the next morning we were all out with our brooms sweeping up.

Happy days and by comparison UK celebrations are very muted.

Sounds like some brilliant memories.

millievanille · 28/12/2022 07:39

I never enjoyed NYE when I was in my 20s. Everywhere was so expensive and busy, you had to start queuing at the bar at 11 to get a drink for midnight. Aside from that it was always stressful to organise, logistics of taxis and timings was impossible and my friend always changed plans last minute to suit herself. The whole thing seemed to be about 9 hours texting for about 30 minutes enjoyment. Nowadays I stay home with a bottle of wine and a takeaway, it's much better.

RealBecca · 28/12/2022 07:43

I think everyone can try and enjoy it in their own way. As a teen/20s partying is brilliant, as a mum to young kids we treat NYE as any other day and NYD for a nice fresh walk.

When kids are older we will do little family things and parties as the get older before they start going out without us!

Theres something for everyone! Although I fully agree the fireworks are like a looming alarm clock of doom as we have young kids and usually get an early night after all the Christmas fun.

tacoxx · 28/12/2022 07:46

I think it's what you make it really. Some years (when children were v small) I've done nothing really and not stayed up and it's not bothered me at all. Mostly we have a gathering with few friends and their kids, and play games, have sparklers etc. Kids (age 9 and 6) absolutely love it, find it so exciting to stay up with friends till midnight and watch countdown and we do party poppers and put favourite songs on. My oldest always asks me what we are doing for NYE as he gets v excited about it so he'd be disappointed if we didn't have plans, so i tend to make some. Adults also have a lot of fun.

RealBecca · 28/12/2022 07:47

Oh and clean bedding is a must on NYE and I always save new Christmas things for NYD like socks and undies!

I also pack away all the xmas things on NYE so I wake up to the house feeling bigger. AND we dont do laundry on NYD! And everywhere is quiet.

Actually I think I'm a pretty big NYD fan!

GoodVibesHere · 28/12/2022 08:02

OldTinHat · 28/12/2022 05:02

I always bumble to bed about 9pm and get really pissed off at midnight when inconsiderate neighbours let off fireworks and wake me up.

Let me slide into a new year peacefully, please, as I similarly slide into a new day, week and month!

Yes this is exactly me!!

GnomeDePlume · 28/12/2022 09:06

taurussally · 28/12/2022 07:38

Sounds like some brilliant memories.

Show quote history

One of the big differences compared to the UK was that fireworks could only be bought in the few days leading up to NYE, they were not on sale the rest of the year. Even then only a relatively small number of places were licensed to sell them. So there was a real concentration with people spending hundreds of euros for a single night of midnight fireworks.

Everyone knew what was coming. Letterboxes and dog poo bins would be sealed.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 28/12/2022 13:34

New year's Day is depressing as it's that back to work feeling and Christmas I'd over.
January can feel like a long month.
I don't mind January but the first week is harsh. Start of a new year I never like.
Just means your older.

OP posts:
ImBlueDab · 28/12/2022 13:35

I've not bothered with nye for years, I watch telly and go to bed at the normal time, then take the dogs for a walk the next day, as per normal

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 28/12/2022 13:37

I'm up past midnight every day. So staying up is meaningless. Other than the dread of being a new year.
Funny how people that stay in like a nice meal and drink, you can do that any day and or weekend?
Why should you feel obliged cos its NYE

OP posts:
Proteinpudding · 28/12/2022 13:42

NYE is just a thing you can choose to celebrate or not, surely? I don't see there's much peer/societal pressure for NY, at least not compared to Chistmas day itself.

I loved it in my twenties, but not for NY itself - it was always a chance to meet up with friends who had dispersed to various parts of the country to visit family, once we were all back in the same location. Now I don't really bother with it, but because I like to make the most of NYD - I always choose to do something I like, and that means not being tired/hungover.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 28/12/2022 13:43

NYE like any other event is what you make it. I've had some great ones and some where I've gone to bed at 10pm and ignored the whole thing. I do hate the whole forced jovial thing.

pepperminttaste · 28/12/2022 22:08

Well yes, I suppose can do a nice meal anytime but I never do a proper starter and dessert unless people are coming over so it does feel different. Hadn't really thought about it that way tbh! I don't feel obliged to do that either because I enjoy it. It's the socialising bit that I used to feel obliged to do.

maddiemookins16mum · 28/12/2022 22:19

Hate it. Have done for decades, can’t even explain why really apart from it just means it’s another year gone with someone I loved very much no longer here.

mackthepony · 28/12/2022 22:21

Hate it too.

So frigging dramatic the whole thing

Ugh

Emdubz · 28/12/2022 22:28

Yep. Hate it. No avoiding it though when the fireworks go off.

echt · 28/12/2022 22:39

Having said I'm not keen on it, it doesn't prevent me from staying up, then texting all my friends and relations at 12.00.a.m. because Australia gets the NYE earlier.

<you'd think they's let the UK have it first every now and again>

SoShallINever · 28/12/2022 22:50

Hated it as a child. My father would be drunk and violent and I have awful memories of various neighbours (who we had to call uncle) trying to force their tongue down my throat.
As an adult I've worked hard to make it a happy time for my kids, making each NYE different.
We have stayed in youth hostels in the hebrides and the lake district watching the stars. We've stood on Waterloo Bridge to watch the fireworks, skated at Somerset House. Partied in family hotels and taken them skiing. Anything to give them happy memories.

Molkomad · 28/12/2022 22:54

I have no interest either. I've always preferred Christmas to NY. Now we have DC I'm quite happy to watch a film, share a bottle of Prosecco, go to bed early and then curse the Fireworks going off at midnight and hope they don't wake DS and DD up 😅