So as 2023 comes to an end… how is everyone celebrating/spending Christmas and New Year this year?
Sadly I am working Christmas Day but I’ve bagged New Year’s Day off so hoping to have some friends over to watch the fireworks across various parts of London from my balcony. And plenty of wine and prosecco of course.
Any positives from 2023? Anything we’re looking forward to in 2024?
The “usual” for me which is friends and family for Christmas Day. NYE I’ll play as it comes.
I’m hoping to have a fairly “normal” Christmas but on Christmas Eve. Very European of me 
Equally jealous and impressed that you can watch the fireworks from your balcony!
I’ll be spending the next week going from house to house and eating a lot. Roll on a day of peace and quiet at home!
NYE I have no idea yet, nothing too hectic though.
To be clear it’s more of a distant view of lots of areas of London. Plus some of the green spaces near us do fireworks.
You get all the city fireworks that way and anything in east London.
On the left we get anything near the O2 (including any drones they do).
Then there are some fireworks on the City Island across from us.
The right has all of Stratford and East/West Ham as well so you get a good breadth of views.
That’s a cracking view!
I love the US (to visit) and try to go every year. Usually New York (I have friends there) but this year we did Washington DC and had a great time. Just booked my first First Class plane tickets to NYC for 2024!
First of all, it’s just renting.
Second of all, we happened to get a good discount due to Covid (the apartment was empty for months) and we locked in 3% annual increases for 3 years just before the RH Truss became our PM.
For the area it’s cheap - in reality it’s a good £1,650 a month for one bedroom… so I use the balcony come rain or shine.
I won’t lie - NYC can be intense. It’s very busy. It’s about the same population as London but in half the space, so there is always something going on. I love it, but the first time I went it was very busy and I was a little overwhelmed.
We were there for… 4 days I think? It’s one of the more walkable cities in the US, and basically houses all of their history and politics. Has some rough areas being both full of rich privileged folk and very poor unprivileged folk but again I have friends out there (I lived in the US for a year as a student) so it’s helpful to have that.
Shockingly less than business class! It’s just way more in taxes. 68k Avios (with a voucher that’s for two) with £549 fee vs business which is 80k Avios with £175 fee.
Always so envious of anyone off for such a long time!
I am also in the working on Xmas day crew. New years, haven’t found anyone doing anything - lack of active friends doesn’t help - so I’ll probably be spending it alone. It’s been a rough year so I won’t be sad to see it go.
Of course all are welcome at mine 
(Though I think half of you live lifetimes away from London 
)
From the photos I think I am pretty sure you are two DLR stops away 
Quiet day for us on Christmas Day
We’ll go and see the Grandkids in the morning and see what they have got off Santa and then head home for a quiet rest of the day with just the two of us
Be a change for me.
Won’t be with the ex nor the cat. 6 years down the pan.
Have made up with family after a 7 year gap which have been most helpful, and won’t be spending Christmas alone following invite from them
Probs food then back to my apartment and chill, not sure any bars open Xmas day 
Funny enough I just got a notification from Wetherspoons that they are open Christmas Day
Glad to hear about the family though; regardless it’s often nice to have that connection, however thin it might be.
Went from thin to thick in a day and I love it.
I’ll go for my morning bike ride as usual, since the roads are so quiet.
Then Christmas dinner with Mum and that side of the family, before going to my Dad’s for a few days.
I’ve got a friend’s birthday party on the 28th.
No specific plans for NYE yet, but have been considering a last minute weekend away.
Off work until Wednesday now, unusual for myself to be off work for 4 days at Christmas. We have three boys so Christmas Day starts about 4am onwards for Santa presents, then church late morning, dinner for 5 of us at home, visit to in-laws (only next door) then chill rest of day and eat more food. Boxing Day my parents are coming for dinner. New Year’s Eve is usually let boys sit up late to watch fireworks on tv with some nibbles, then my parents coming for dinner on New Year’s Day.
Well without making the forum about breakups I honestly feel ok so far.
Just miss the cat mostly but he would hate it here so would be cruel to bring him. Otherwise yeah it’s a new direction and I’m sure I’ll manage.
