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DEL.ICIO.USWhich holiday are you most willing to splurge on?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For many of us, New Year’s Eve is the one celebration we’re willing to break the bank for. With price fixed dinners and flowing champagne for toasts, it’s hard to go out without making a major dent in your wallet.
I know in the past, if we were lucky enough to find a babysitter, dining out at a favorite place made the evening a night to remember. Now with my kids getting older, it’s harder to have the night for ourselves. We are usually ferrying someone someplace or hanging around to make sure they get home on time. If they don’t have plans, we do something as a family, so no one feels left out. Birthdays have become our preferred holiday for splurging. We each get to pick our favorite place and have the dinner of our choice.
What about you? Do you think New Year’s Eve expenditures are worth it? Or, would you rather avoid the roads with a quiet dinner and video at home? Would you be more willing to splurge on Valentine’s day, an anniversary or a birthday?
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By Stacey
December 30, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
We tend to splurge for our son for his birthday and for ourselves on our anniversary. Christmas and Thanksgiving Dinners are usually big meals with the extended family and everyone brings something, thus lessening both the work and the expense of the hosts. My husband and I both usually have to work New Year’s Eve then we got to church for Watch Night service. Dinner is always takeout and usually fast food. We have the traditional black-eyed peas and collared greens for NY dinner and I just cook whatever meat we have the taste for to go with it. This year will probably be baked chicken.
Neither my husband nor I are partiers so the idea of going to a New Year’s Eve party has absolutely no appeal to us. Plus, after we pay finish paying Santa there is nothing left to pay the inflated NYE prices even if we wanted to! :o)
By illuminusluna
December 30, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Before our son was born we always splurged for New Years. Before becoming parents we were such partiers we felt the need to do something special so we would rent a really nice hotel room downtown. Our favorites are The Ritz or Hyatt—both throw great parties!
This year we are spending it at home with our son. We will have a midnight breakfast and watch the ball drop on the tellie…
By My House
December 30, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
I like to have people over for dinner, cocktails, etc and they all spend the night. I won’t let anyone leave until the next day. I take everyone’s keys, put them in a bowl, and hide the bowl. I have done this for the last 5 years now. My kids invite some of their friends, and my friends bring their kids. Everyone is welcome, and we have alot of activities and things to do for everyone.
We have several game tables set up, a poker table, a Wii system, a computer, 4 tv’s, a basement, huge backyard and plenty of room for alot of people. Most of the kids end up sleeping on the floor, but we have plenty of beds and sofas for the adults.
The next day we all get up and have a HUGE brunch full of traditional southern food for New Years Day. Black eyed peas, collard greens, mimosas, bloody mary’s, etc……Everyone contributes so it’s not a major expense for me.
Then we watch the parades and the games. It’s becoming a tradition and I have to start planning this even the first part of December. But like I said, everyone contributes so it’s very nice, and there’s a TON of food!!
By My House
December 30, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
I almost forgot. We shoot off fireworks at midnight too. My neighbors all come out with chairs and watch.
By Soontobeemptynester
December 30, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
The theme should match the lifestyle. My wife and I have been married almost twenty years and have always taken New Year’s as a day to splurge and celebrate the year before, good and bad, and re-think about making the next a better year. Drinking to that moment makes it feel more personal, like a new committment between two soles >whether you’re sober or not. Just another point of view. Look…family life is great and all but breaking away for one special night is refreshing… and helps to rekindle the flame. More should venture out to try it one year. Cheers!
By missy
December 30, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
We’re taking the pontoon (with heater) out on the lake with friends. Every year fireworks go off around most of the lake and it makes for a wonderful evening that you can’t forget. And of course, we’ll be taking our cooler for a much jollier time LOL.
By Soontobe...
December 30, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
That’s the spirit. Anyone can start a NY’s party no matter where you go. :)
By clyde
December 30, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
My wife and I celebrate our birthdays and our anniversary.We never leave the house on New Year’s Eve.
By Ricky C
December 30, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
We often shelve the vienna sausage for an evening and venture out to the Golden Corral. There we can binge our large buttocks to our hearts content of the buffet. Massive artery clogging portions are heaped upon each plate. Afterward, we drive the Monte Carlo over to friends. Once there, we light dangerous and illegal fireworks to amuse ourselves and frighten neighborhood pets. Barring no emergency room visits, we then binge drink ourselves into oblivion. Lat man standing gets to choose the sexual partner of his choice. It’s become a NY’s tradition.
By momof3
December 30, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
We have three little girls ages 8, 6, and 11 months, also my husband will be working till 11:15pm nye, and he will rush home to see the ball drop with us. I’d like to go somewhere with him but can’t as he’s working. So instead I’ll be making sausage balls, mozzerella sticks, quiche bites, crab dip and crackers, chips n dip, etc to celebrate, along with some jack daniels in coke. It will still be fun. Makes for a relaxing evening with my girls, and I’m sure we’ll all be dancing together with all the fun shows going on!
By Stephanie
December 30, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
I’ll be spending New Year’s Eve with Ricky C’s group.
By Voice of Reason
December 30, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Instead of a cork, I’m popping 2 Advil tomorrow night because “Mother Nature” will be kickin’ my butt. Where’s my hot water bottle? LOL. But you guys have fun; do some partyin’ for me.
By brent
December 30, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
Going to Montaluce winery to celebrate with great wine and food.
By brent
December 30, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
Going to Montaluce winery to celebrate with great wine and food.
By brent
December 30, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
Going to Montaluce winery to celebrate with great wine and food.
By brent
December 30, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
great price fixed menu, great food, wine and fireworks. Spending time away from family and staying in Dahlonega. For $105 each a good deal and includes a bottle of wine.
By woogidy
December 30, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Heathen Chemistry Party in downtown. NO DRESS CODE! come on out people! Still tickets available! Get your tix here! I’ve been 2 yrs in a row and it’s a good time. Top shelf all night for $85? Yeah, and you don’t have to buy a suit or dress.