New Year’s Eve, new baby style

December 31, 2014

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What are everyone’s plans for New Year’s Eve? Like lots of people, I have a fairly ambiguous relationship with the night. I spent the majority of my 20s going out, so all the fuss about one extra and ultra-expensive evening seemed unnecessary. But then it was another excuse to go out – so why not?

NYE way back then was all about bars, clubs, pubs, fireworks and house parties (and basically about getting as dressed up and drunk as possible). But when you’re well into your 30s, and tired parents with no childcare, a toddler and a breastfeeding newborn, it does take on a slightly different level of significance.

So this year we are – inevitably, and like most parents I know – staying in, like most nights.

Here’s how our plans for the evening are panning out, new baby style.

* What’s my party outfit inspiration? I’ve spent what seems like the past 11 and a half months deleting the daily ‘sparkly NYE party dresses and heels’ emails from ASOS. But screw sequinned minidresses, NYE 14 for me is all about the sports luxe (*cough* pyjamas). To be accessorised with this season’s must-have light coating of baby sick, courtesy of the new arrival’s special party trick, the stealth shoulder vom.

* Whereas getting ready to go out on NYE used to consist of downing cava on an empty stomach and taking ages to get my hair perfect, getting ready this year will consist of a) getting an over-excited toddler to bed and b) getting the baby to sleep on one of us.

* The guest list? It’s shaping up to be an intimate affair a deux, featuring a – hopefully – sleeping baby. With potential guest appearances from the non-sleeping toddler, inevitably just before midnight. Entertainment will consist of finding the least rubbish thing on TV, or something we can both vaguely agree on from Netflix.

* We’ll be toasting in 2015 (with a breastfeeding appropriate amount of wine for me. That is, if I’m still awake). Whereas previous years consisted of going home at 4 at the earliest, the only chances of me being up at that time are for a nightfeed.

And honestly? Compared to previous years it sounds absolutely brilliant. We’ll have champagne you don’t have to stand at a bar to buy, party food, and a fridge full of leftover Christmas cheese. No pressure, no expense and no expectations. My feet won’t hurt, I won’t be cold and we won’t have to spend the end of the evening queuing for a taxi or rammed against someone’s armpit on the free tube. Plus, no hangover tomorrow. Bonus.

Thanks for all the support in 2014. Here’s to a great 2015. Party on, parents x.

4 Comments

  • Alison

    January 2, 2015 at 8:08 am

    Hope you had a good one, Crawshaws! Have to admit, I always liked the idea of going out on NYE but never the reality so I LOVE having the excuse to stay in or get together with fellow parent friends to drink fizz! 🙂

    1. gillian

      January 3, 2015 at 1:02 am

      Any excuse sounds good to me! Happy New Year! How was yours? x

  • Carie

    January 2, 2015 at 9:36 am

    Happy New Year! Your New Year’s Eve sounds remarkably like ours – right down to the stealth spit up down the back of my shoulder!! Here’s to a wonderful 2015 and our babies’ growing abilities to keep their dinners in their tummies!!

    1. gillian

      January 3, 2015 at 1:03 am

      Yay! Here’s to 2015 (and an end to sicky shoulders!) Hope you had fun xx

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