Friday, December 31, 2010

No grand réveillon for this gal


"Le réveillon du 31" is all well and good, but I just can't be bothered with it

Is it my American side creeping back, is it age, or is it general party poopiness?

There must be some reason that this year, I am spending the much-made-of réveillon du St. Sylvestre at home more or less alone.

Sure, there will be my husband, a foie gras, a few stray scallops, and some glasses to wash in the morning. But this is a far cry from our French New Year's Eve parties of old.

To be honest, le réveillon has been weighing on me for the past five years or so.

It is a pain to plan.

It is expensive at a time when plenty of euros have just gone out the window for Christmas.

It is food-heavy at a time when most of France has already been feeding heavily.

And it's all over so horrifyingly late! I think the earliest we have ever gotten to sleep after a French New Year's Eve party was 3am. The latest was 6am -- and oops, I hosted that one.

As I write this, I'm sure many of my expat readers are anxiously awaiting the big night, and perhaps putting finishing touches on a fancy apéritif platter or checking that the Champagne is chilling nicely.

I truly wish you the best! But this year, I'm quite content with my cook-a-little, geek-a-little, sip-a-little, stay-at-home réveillon.

8 comments:

Jennifer said...

Doesn't matter how you celebrate, or don't celebrate...as long as you're content!
Santé my friend. I'll be thinking of you when I sip a little Champagne tonight.

spacedlaw said...

Right now I am getting grumpy because I shan't be able to go to bed at a decent time, due to the fireworks and general noise.
I am steaming the langouste. The only ones excited by the proceedings are the cats. I would not mind some foie gras but I'll make do with cheese if I must (I got some gorgeous bread this morning).
Have a nice passing of the hours. New year is rarely new.

Betty Carlson said...

@loulou My evening DID include Champagne, foie gras and other necessary trappings; it wasn't that dour!

@spaced I agree -- what is really new about a new year in the middle of winter? I've always been on the school year calendar myself...

Amanda said...

Bonne annee Betty to you and your family!
It will be a very healthy and easy going reveillon for me. I am looking forward to spring and longer days. I am just glad "the holidays are over".

The Pliers said...

Sometimes it's just nice to have a quiet evening home, more or less, alone to reflect upon and savor the memories, all the while projecting for a brand-spanking new year, as one gives thanks for one's health, happiness, good fortune, and potential--not to mention that of one's nearest and dearest.

Party on, Betty!

Betty Carlson said...

To all -- through the Internet, I found out that a certain number of my online connections were like-minded. I actually enjoyed the evening so much I may eschew réveillon parties altogether. If I don't enjoy them, why go?

tut-tut said...

Happy New Year, Betty!

merewoman said...

Betty, I'm so glad not to find myself the only person who feels like that about New Year's Eve. It used to be such fun but now I often think of it as hard work, and unwelcome expense. And there are some years when you don't necessarily feel celebratory, but if you're in company you have to make the effort. And when you have to keep it up until the tiny hours of the next day when you would prefer to be tucked up in bed... it can become an endurance test. :)

Anyway, I hope that 2011 will bring you and your family all you wish for.

Susie