My friend Emily hasnt celebrated New Year for five years now. She doesnt bother buying a Christmas tree, nor does she decorate her flat or hang up any sparkling fairy lights. Emily doesnt trouble herself with festive meals or get caught up buying presents for her large family and circle of friends. When people hear about her way of dealing with the end-of-year celebrations, theyre honestly startled. She isnt suffering from depression or anything of the sort; she has family and friends, she simply decided one year to stop celebrating and, since then, shes stuck to her choice.
To Emily, the 31st of December is just another day. She doesnt try to persuade anyone that her way is best, but she has no intention of abandoning it either.
At first, Emily was anxious about being on her own on New Years Eve. She had no boyfriend at the time, her parents were away for the night, and most of her friends celebrated together in boisterous groups. Emily ended up alone at home that night, but nothing terrible happened. Shed rung all her loved ones beforehand and sent them her well-wishes, prepared herself a nice dinner, and spent the evening soaking in a warm bath. That night, the meaning behind the old saying how you see in the New Year sets the tone for the rest of it became truly clear to her. She realised she hadnt wasted energy cooking or cleaning, nor had she rushed about or tried to squeeze everything inand as a result, she found she was able to simply relax, no friends, no need for alcohol.
In the aftermath, Emily noticed another upside to her approach: New Years had not put a dent in her bank balance. A Christmas tree, decorations, food, and gifts all cost a pretty penny. By skipping the holiday, shed managed to cut those expenses out of her budget without any trouble.
She also saved plenty of time, since she didnt have to do the usual general cleaning or cooking marathon. Many spend hours sorting out their hair and outfit for the big night. More often than not, hosts only sit down at the table just before midnight, exhausted from the day, perhaps hardly even interested in what the coming year may bring.
Emily also let go of the gift-shopping rush. No more squeezing through crowded shops or spending a whole months pay on bits and bobs for all and sundry. If you add it all up, it might actually be cheaper to book a holiday to Spain over New Years. After all, you can celebrate on any day you chooseand at the turn of the year, you might as well take time to reflect and plan for the future.
In many ways, Emily is absolutely right, and people whove taken the time to actually listen to her reasons usually end up agreeing. Sadly, most cant help but judge her straight away, digging for real reasonslike she cant afford Christmas.
But Emily pays no mind to their criticism. Shes said that if she has children one day, shell likely organise festive celebrations for them, with a tree and giftsbut shes not willing to change her own approach before then. How and when to say goodbye to the outgoing year, or how to greet the new onewell, that’s a choice everyone has to make for themselves. If you feel like it, you can turn any day into a celebration.
As for me, we always have a big group for New Year’s, and I do enjoy the preparationsbut I completely understand where Emilys coming from. If I ever found myself alone on that day, I doubt Id cry into my pillow; more likely, Id spend the day quietly, resting and taking it easy.
