Imma need someone to explain myself to me, really. I'm throwing a New Year's Eve party, and it's going to be epic. Oh, no, not in that drink-to-hallucination and wear the lampshade kind of sense. It's just that I'm lucky enough to ring in the new year with some very old (not elderly, long term) and dear friends. A lot of them. A lot of them that have bottomless children. We're talking two full days of eating, drinking, and gratuitous merrymaking that's gonna require lots of fun fuel. Folks, how to feed the locusts? I'm getting a little breathless.
I'm just one person! Don't get me wrong. Man, am I excited to fete BFF. She and I have been tight since the days of neon clothing and Duran Duran. But I digress. Because in the meanwhile, she's married a big dude and had two hulking children. And unlike the Counce offspring, they ain't picky about what they consume. I don't know how she did it, but those kids love veggies. And fruit. And...well, pretty much anything that won't bite back first. I am in charge of feeding these people for two days.
The other couple we're inviting for the New Year's Eve party has three teenagers. There is no metaphor that does justice to the amount of food these young adults can put back. Again: I could not love these people more. It gives me great pleasure to ply them with food. But I'm going to need one of those Home Depot carts at Target in order to get all the food swag I need home. And perhaps some sherpas. Man, does this Carol Brady need an Alice.
But I'm so in. I need a spreadsheet and a Ph.D to plan for the next several days, but Momma always did say I was hardheaded. Who can get up at 3 a.m. to turn on a crockpot? I can! But we're going to have a brisket that hopefully could feed a small African nation for a week. Four breakfasts. Four dinners. Three lunches. Good thing I own stock in my grocery store.
So why do I do it? You very well may ask. Because, dear reader, in the end? I love it. I love to host. I love a house full of laughter and company. I love to stuff people I love with fine, homemade food. It makes me happy to induce carb comas to those I hold most dear. Food is a big part of my family tradition. I mean, what's New Year's Day without Good Luck Jambalaya made with black eyed peas? You simply can't risk a bad 2012 all because you didn't get your black eyed peas, people! Priorities!
So in the end, I may dither and flap over going to lengths to entertain my dear ones. But I know first: I choose this. I choose to surround myself with my darling family and friends and I chose the admittedly challenging menu. I could scale back. We could get some Kentucky Fried, and my friends would love me and our party just the same. I choose the hustle and the bustle; I arranged it.
Eat, drink, and be merry! There's no more appropriate time for said than New Year's Eve. I will not complain about my Homeric grocery store journeys. I will not lament the time and care preparation will take in my making merry. I'm just grateful to have so many loved ones, so much love, at this holiday time. It's ridiculous what an American princess I am. So spoiled.
So friends, eat McDonald's off a paper plate. Or prepare the most lavish New Year's Eve party you ever had and drink Cristal. But know you've chosen the way you want it, and enjoy. Count your blessings as we welcome in 2013. I'm so grateful to have the means to stuff my friends with a ridiculous amount of food and drink. So grateful they're taking the long ride here with their kids and a Boston terrier in a small car, just to eyeball me and my little brood.
I wish you a happy New Year and a fun New Year's Eve, whether you're in sequins and heels or your bathrobe, whether with twenty people at a rowdy club or with just yourself and Ryan Seacrest. However you've arranged it, my wish for you is to find the joy and positives associated with the choices you've made and choices that bring you serenity and moments of great joy in 2013. Now, if you don't mind, you'll have to excuse me. I've got a grocery run to make.
