This year I'm actually super excited about the holidays, for the first time in lord knows how long. Last week I gift-wrapped some Christmas pressies, hihi. And I cannot wait to get the tree done!

And I'm beginning to think about making plans for Christmas & New Year's Eve.
Christmas I'm likely spending time with family, but this year I want to go out for New Year's Eve!
Now I don't like to go to a pub. Most people get blind drunk which I don't like. Plus I have to walk through town on my own to get to my car in the middle of the night, through hordes of drunken people, which I do not like either.
But I want to do SOMETHING! I've spent a number of NYEs alone, which I never really minded. Last year was too soon after my breakup, but this year I want to go out and have fun. Do something different, chat, dance, laugh.

I found this spiritual centre that does a NYE's event. Dinner, time to socialize, either an energy activation concerning the new year OR a sound healing session (singing bowls) which is GORGEOUS!! I haven't had a sound bath in quite some time :)
After that a special thing around midnight then there's a DJ and dancing.

Now THAT sounds like my kind of evening where I'm going to feel good and not out of place or bothered by drunken idiots.
The only drawback is the trip and the fact the meal is vegetarian only. Always the case with spiritual centres, but not my thing. I like my meat

But.. I do think I'm gonna go for it. Thinking about it gets me all excited!

As usual I will be working, it is normal in my job. But at least there will be plenty of nice food ... cooked by me

Sounds like fun. I'm a meat eater too, but that still sounds a lot better than going to a bar. I'm excited for you. :)

Thank you! I'll just buy an extra large juicy piece of meat for the day after.

And yes, it does sound like fun, doesn't it? It's got a bit of everything I like: socializing, dinner, something spiritual, dancing & music.
I'm gonna make my reservation tomorrow!

My kids work in a restaurant, usually have to work as well, although my son always finishes around 5, then there's cleaning up, meaning he can be here around 19.00 - 19.30. Always a tad late for me to start Christmas dinner, but there's no other way round it.

Hope you will still have a good time! You have to work both Christmas AND NYE??

For Dutch standards too early, even now is still early to put up the tree although some will begin to appear soon I think.

Winging it can be fun. Being open to whatever comes your way.
Does that mean that you don't have a specific thing you tend to do on NYEs?

I wish they had something like that around me. I've thought about buying or renting a place and doing public events for the community such as a singles mingle and things target towards adults but no alcohol just good clean fun.

I don't really mind working those days. As an Atheist, I don't celebrate Christmas, plus the roads are empty, plus there is always a wee bit of bonus payments

That event sounds wonderful Crystal... Hope you have a wonderful time there

My Holidays are going to be spent in Estes Park at the YMCA. There'll be lots of events for the guests that staff can participate in and special events just for staff.

The place is already looking like a winter wonderland with all the Christmas lights and snow topped mountains. The only thing I'll miss this year is the sleigh ride, like I went on last year.

But who knows, Christmas and New Years are over a month away, there's still time to meet someone and get asked out on a date.

Either way, it will be fun to spend it with families from all over the world and new friends that I am making.

I may try to teach my dog how to howl
Christmas carols.

Yes, or lamb's rack. LOVE lamb!
It may sound odd to some, esp people who aren't 'meat eaters', but if I don't have my meat I really feel off. I miss something. My body still needs meat.
I remember couple years ago when I still did workshops regularly at a spiritual center, they also did vegetarian meals only. No milk even. You was there for 3-6 days, depending on the workshops. After some 3 days without animal minerals and fats -not even milk- I was ready to go for a walk, find me a cow somewhere and sink my teeth in it, haha. Or drink milk straight from its udder, hahaha.
Seriously, my body was SCREAMING for animal meat/fat/vitamines. No supermarket in the neighborhood, but I managed to wangle a liter of milk out of the center's proprietor, under serious protest. (Over a carton of milk that was less than a dollar!!!)
I think I drank most of that carton in one go, haha, sod the others, lol. Gosh I needed it badly!!

That'll likely keep you busy for a while... I can almost see your dog thinking "F*(k no, it's that season again!!! Somebody save me!"

Glad I'm not the only one who isn't into the boozing chit. I've never cared much for alcohol, although I can enjoy specific drinks. But if I don't have it I don't miss it either. And I really dislike drunken people.
And at least I never have get up close and personal with my loo the day after, haha, or spend an entire day with a massive hangover
AND... I get to remember the fun I had the evening before! Win-win.

What's keeping you from organizing something like that?
This center I want to go to does a monthly evening for singles as well. If I like the place I intend to check that out.

Just enjoy your early bird tree, haha.

BOnus payments is enticing, yes!

Thanks, and that sounds great too!
Now that you mention snow... I do hope we don't have snow and/or icy roads on NYE. I'm not great at driving in such conditions...
Oh well... we'll see, fingers crossed!!

Well, she does protest wearing the reindeer antlers.

Owww... poor thing!

well for me it's up to the great north to eat my self stupid tomorrow and spend time with the family. the break out the christmas decorations and doll up the house. chrismas is back up north to be with family. as for new year's eve i'm not sure yet. the last few have been curled up at home with a good book

I got a dose of holidays, today. UGH!

I'll do thanksgiving with my niece and her family. After that, I'm free and clear to avoid the xmas mess.

I don't go broke anymore. YAY! Shopping traffic is murder. Bye me. No more mystery dishes smothered in Cheese Wiz. Trudging out in the cold Xmas day. No more. I don't have to be around any hyper, sugar powered kids. Hoo-ray! No stupid Xmas trees that lean, stringing up lights that refuse to work. Hoping to get one semi freezing day after to clean up the mess.

Do I miss it? NO WAY!!!