A Traditional New Year’s Eve

Every year, my husband and I celebrate New Year’s Eve in a unique and special way. We savor a leisurely paced, six course, fireside gourmet meal, but between courses, we dutifully fill out an end of year journal. We sit side-by-side, reflecting on, discussing and writing about what has been good (and sometimes not-so-good) in the year. We take stock of friendships, new and old, we remember meals and dinners, laugh about family outings and couple dates— basically compiling some “best of” the year lists. We savor moments, remember fun times and review journals of years past. We’ve turned down countless party invitations over the years, and now, we don’t get many. As New Year’s draws closer, my friends have a bit of fun chuckling at my husband and my romantic side. We don’t care. It’s a small tradition that reminds us we’re happy together.

Most years, I’ll get together ahead of time with my friend Debbie to make an Amuse Bouche or dessert for our respective dinners, since she also has a tradition of spending New Year’s Eve alone with her husband. It’s become our time to celebrate New Year’s as friends, in preparation for time with our spouses. It has become a tradition for us to plan our dinners together, cook some parts together and then part ways. Our cooking session allow us time to talk, reflect on the year and look ahead, while also allowing us the opportunity to pause and be thankful we’re friends.

Whatever your New Year’s traditions are, I hope you have a safe, fun, enjoyable, well fed time.