New year’s soirée setup may not turn out so bad

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/12/2024 (600 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I’m going to a big New Year’s Eve party and the host is a real mischief maker. He went to great pains to personally invite me. When I asked him if I could bring a date, he said, oddly, “Not this time.”

Then today, I find out from somebody else that I’m going to be “running into” my big crush from high school at this guy’s party. I’m single, at the moment, and as far as I know, she is too, but I don’t really feel comfortable with surprise setups. What should I do here?

— Feeling Sick Already, southeastern Manitoba

Dear Feeling Sick: Call up the host, and try get to the bottom of what’s going on. Who knows, perhaps this woman mentioned you and your old buddy saw a chance to finally get you two together. You may not like surprises much, but if you’re not totally averse to the idea, why not open your mind to the experience and see if something clicks? If it doesn’t, no big deal.

You never know, it could be an exciting experience for both of you to start the new year.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: Every time I make new year’s resolutions, I feel good about myself. Then, as I break them one by one, I feel worse and worse. But if I don’t make any resolutions, I feel like a real loser who’s giving up before even starting. I want to start being a winner.

— Annual Loser, St. James

Dear Annual Loser: “Stop doing more of what doesn’t work.” That’s the first new year’s resolution you need to make. It doesn’t matter if new or different actions “should” work, logically. If they just don’t work for you, then they need to be scrapped. Otherwise, they’re just guilt-producers, and each time you fail, they kick you right in the self-esteem.

This year, consider making a short list of problems and bad habits you’d like to remedy. Then look for some experts you can consult, who can help you figure out the deeper causes of your difficulties and offer you good advice.

Don’t forget to consult people in your own family. They might not offer advice unless they’re asked for it, but they may actually be quite happy to help out.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My husband and I are pretty broke this New Year’s Eve — no fancy parties for us! Instead of getting a babysitter and going out to party, we’re stuck at home with our half-grown kids. So, I’ve invited the new family next door to come over and bring their kids for dinner and a little party.

Our kids are excited and think we’ll be doing something super special.

I’m really just making their favourite dinner — spaghetti and homemade meat sauce, garlic toast and fancy ice cream sundaes — but that’s about it! There’s very little left in the budget. So, what can we do after dinner to make it a great night? I need help fast.

— New Year SOS, St. Norbert

Dear SOS: Here are some low-cost, fun ideas for you. Why not ask your neighbours to bring some board games and craft supplies, and get together what you have at your house as well. There will certainly be some novel games for each set of kids among what’s available.

With the craft supplies (and even any holidays gift wrap or ribbon you may still have around) get the kids started on making some hats and banners to ring in 2025 — or as close as the young ones can get to it before crashing!

You can search online for some easy homemade games, but between you and the neighbours you should be able to drum up some fun activities.

When all is said and done, the kids may never forget their first real New Year’s Eve party and welcoming their fun new neighbours.

Happy 2025 to you and your gang!

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

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