Personal Holiday Traditions

I know that for a lot of people, Christmastime is all about Christmas Day and Boxing Day – but for me, my favorite part of this time of year, and all the festivities is actually New Years Eve. I’ve always loved New Years Year, I think it’s one of the most magical and fun nights of the year – a night when you surround yourself with people you love, and spend the evening counting down to the huge climax, midnight!

When I was little someone once told me that however you choose to spend your New Years Eve – is how you’ll spend the rest of the following. Whether that be partying the night away, in a lovers arms or surrounded by family and friends in your back garden. In my childhood I have the fondest memories of New Years Eve, when we were very young, we would go for a meal in the evening with friends and family and then everyone would come back to our house. Our house (which sat on top of the tallest hill in the village) overlooked the entire valley and village and when the clock chimed midnight you would have the most phenomenal view of all the local fireworks soaring into the sky before you. I recall sitting by the window for up to 30 minutes after the clock struck, enjoying all the beautiful colors and the distant banging of explosives. It was (and still is) the best free fireworks display you’ll ever see.

As I grew older, and reached the legal drinking age, my New Years Eve was mostly spent partying with my closest friends. It often ranged from nightclubs to house parties – depending on who was hosting and who had a free house at the time. I was always fond of the house parties myself – there’s something nice about celebrating the new year somewhere familiar, and often we’d get some board games out, or drinking games to liven things up in between all the dancing.

As I got older, I found myself wanting a more quiet New Years Eve – and now I find my favorite tradition of the year is to host a big dinner party with all our friends. It’s something that oozes sophistication but it still homely, fun and filled with laughter. We can still have fireworks of course too – we often launch them all from the back garden when it reaches midnight! The night feels fun and relaxed this way – letting everyone take it easy, at their own pace – just enjoying the experience and the company and the wine of course.

There are of course exceptions to the traditions though – for example, this year I’ll be heading to Sydney for New Years Eve to watch the fireworks over the harbor bridge. This is something I’ve always wanted to witness – and now seemed like a good time as any to take the leap and see them at last. One year I hope to see the fireworks in Times Sq, NYC too – as I have a feeling that is one party not to be missed!

Elle works for No1 Traveller Lounges, and is a travel and family writer.