Well, it's that time. Christmas is past, the presents are all put away, and the Christmas dinner leftovers are gone. Now, the end of 2024 is upon us. Everyone has their own unique way of ringing in the new year, whether it is a fancy party or a night in with friends or family. I guess it is inevitable, but our New Year's Eve celebrations tend to change as we get older. While we look back at the amazing year that 2024 was, let's take a look back to when you put a lot of planning into your New Year's celebration because it may well have been the most important night out of the year. 

I don’t get excited about New Year’s Eve—

But I’m excited about January 20th!

— Allen Mashburn (@Mashburn4NC) December 27, 2024

We are all aware of just how drastically our lives have changed from 25 to 55 and beyond. School, jobs, marriage, and family all entered the picture. But back in the day, maybe in the eighties (yes, I'm that old), things were very different. I'll concede that maybe there was a bit more planning involved for twenty-something young women. First and foremost, the lynchpin of the evening was wardrobe. This was the decade of big hair and shoulder pads for women, but everyone, even the guys — admit it, guys — everyone had that one outfit that made us feel invincible when dealing with the opposite sex when it mattered. Mine was a faux leather (yeah, I know — remember, it was the eighties) skirt that came just above the knee — made popular in those days by a young Madonna — white blouse, red belt, and red shoes. With perfect make-up and reasonably big hair, I was unstoppable, a legend in my own mind.

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Then, there was location. Where would you and your crew ring in the new year? Most cities have that one area that is the place to be, and St. Louis is no different. Back then, it was an area down on the Mississippi riverfront called "Laclede's Landing," or just "The Landing." Blocks of bars and restaurants. Did you want loud and rowdy with a band and tons of people packed in, or did you want a bit more upscale? It was all there. As for me, I roamed the wilds of The Landing with three other girls, and by the bewitching hour of midnight, we were at the loud, rowdy place. Needless to say, a group of girls attracted a group of guys, and since everyone we knew hung out on The Landing, it was guys we knew. Midnight smooch problem solved! At the risk of sounding like I am 150 years old, I should say here that it was such a different time. Maybe it wasn't, but it felt so much safer. 

Welcome to your 40’s: stop agreeing to go to New Year’s Eve parties, you’re not gonna make it.

— Not Today Eric (@NotTodayEric) December 26, 2024

Well, fast forward. Here we are in 2024. The clothes are a bit more comfortable, the hair not big anymore, and no one goes to The Landing anymore — too dangerous an area. The place to be is still downtown, but now it is along Washington Avenue, or "Wash-ave," as the kids call it. The fact that I know that makes me think I am still slightly cool. But New Year's Eve is very different. I will be in my comfy clothes by 7 p.m. I will be parked on the couch with my husband, not sure what we will be watching just yet, and we will break out our New Year's Eve munchies, maybe some cheese and crackers, a small plate of shrimp, and a bottle of champagne. Like I said, I guess it was inevitable. 

But all those rowdy New Year's Eves of our youth were for a reason. They taught us that, ultimately, it's not about what you are wearing or where you spend it. It's about who you spend it with, and maybe you can look back at those crazy times and smile just a bit. Because they led you to the place you are now. I love my New Year's Eves now spent at home in my jammies with my husband, but I'll be honest: even today, I still love red shoes.

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😄 Good Morning from SC! Trying to decide what I'll wear for new year's eve this year 🤔 I'm thinking informal evening gown 🤣 How about you? pic.twitter.com/t2pdumacec

— JuliasSimplySouthern (@JuliaDJordan) December 26, 2024