Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve?

[Mups]

Which do you like best -  Christmas Eve,  or New Years Eve?

I do like Christmas,  but New Years Eve always feels  special to me,  always has done.

I think it seems like a fresh chance somehow, with  a whole new year. 
Goodbye to the c**p  of the previous year, and a chance to start afresh.

I love the build up,  and usually watch Jools Holland on the telly,  but the climax is hearing Big Ben chime at midnight.    It wouldn't be the same without hearing that,  I absolutely love it.   

I am also superstitious about a midnight kiss.  I believe if you don't have a kiss to start the new year, you  won't have one all year. 
 I'm not talking about a big wet smooch,  just a little peck is still lucky, though these days its my dogs who get a peck on top of their heads as Big Ben chimes.   


Then I watch all the happy crowds gathering along  the Thames to see the firework display, which is usually magnificent.  It's like the whole world is happy,  even if only for a little while.
This  is about the only night I don't mind fireworks going off.

One N.Y. Eve, many years ago,  I was whipped off into hospital, and my son was born, too.
I still remember it now.  It was snowing like blazes, and my husband's old van kept conking out every time we stopped at traffic lights!   

So as you can probably gather, I just love N.Y.Eve,  and always have done. 

Which do you prefer?

[Raven]

I don't have a preference these days. Christmas Eve we often meet with another 2 couples and have dinner out, then the local for a couple of drinks. New, years Eve we often go to the village hall for the yearly cèilidh, or just a quiet drink in the local pub.
Very different from when my ex used to get drunk and ruin it for everyone, with his filthy temper, it took me a long time to get over that before I started spending them with Dunc and gradually I started to relax again.
It also depends on if we're here or down in Perth with my family, this year it's here and my lot are on their way here for Christmas.

[Scrumpy]

When I was younger it was New Years Eve that I preferred..  We used to do the 'Rounds' but always ended up at one particular pub.. as did many others.. A pianist and customers having a go on the mike.. And the midnight countdown to the NY.. 

Then the children came along.. and it all changed...
I prefer Christmas Eve because it is magical.. and I'm a kid at heart..

[dextrous63]

We tend to try to go to bed before midnight on New Year's Eve, so count that out in terms of a big celebration.

Christmas Eve is spent by having a fish supper with the MiL.  So, deffo count that one out in terms of a hog celebration.

Truth be told, b'ah humbug, is we're just glad to get the whole shenanigans done and dusted.

[GrannyMac]

We'll be with family at Christmas, even though there are no young children now, it should be fun.   

We do see the New Year in, we always wait up for the bells on Hogmanay.  So many years when my OH worked both nights, and sometimes the next days too, so we really enjoy being able to relax and enjoy them now. 

[dextrous63]

Do any of you do that "thing" of someone going out just before midnight with a lump of coal and a drink to see the year in, which is some weird tradition.

I've mentioned this before, but not sure how many on here will have heard it.  Several years ago, while visiting friends in Newcastle, I was persuaded to be the one to go outside and was told that it's a huge thing up there and there'd be loads of people doing it.

Obviously, it turned out that I was the only one out there!!

[klondike]

My grandfather used to do that.

In his case I think it was just an excuse for another drink. He used to get pissed and stand on the table saying drink up this may be my last Christmas. Then the last time he was correct.

[dextrous63]

Well, I suppose it would have been.

[JBR]

Hmmm?  Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve?  I wonder.

Well, on Christmas Eve the mother-in-law comes for three days.
On New Year's Eve our two closest friends come and stay overnight.

I'll leave it to you, dear readers, to decide which you think is my least favourite!

[Mups]

Hmmm?  Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve?  I wonder.

Well, on Christmas Eve the mother-in-law comes for three days.
On New Year's Eve our two closest friends come and stay overnight.

I'll leave it to you, dear readers, to decide which you think is my least favourite!

That made  me laugh,  JBR. 

[Alex]

I like Christmas Eve, I always feel sad at New Year's Eve.

[Mups]

I like Christmas Eve, I always feel sad at New Year's Eve.

Ah,  that's a shame.    I always think of it as a whole new beginning.  A chance to start afresh.

[GrannyMac]

I feel a bit like that too Mups, plus it means we've lived another year! OH hits the big 80 next year, and considering he thought he'd had it at 50, then again at 62, we count our blessings.

[Mups]

I feel a bit like that too Mups, plus it means we've lived another year! OH hits the big 80 next year, and considering he thought he'd had it at 50, then again at 62, we count our blessings.

Good for him.  Let's hope he is still around for a good few year yet, too. x

[dextrous63]

Good for him, GM.  And you, too. 😊