Cancel Your NYE2022 Celebration

Cancel Your NYE2022 Celebration.
By Mihar Dias
(C) Copyright December 2021

Cancel Your New Year Eve’s 2022 Celebration

If you have made big plans to usher in 2022, I suggest you cancel it. Forget about the NYE party at hotels and resorts this year. It’s just too risky. Going by the worldwide trend, you are not alone in cancelling such plans for NYE 2022.

Reports say the French, Japanese and Malaysian authorities have cancelled big events like fireworks because of the looming threat from a new strain of Coronavirus, the Omicron.

We have to be vigilant during the holidays as advised by the health authorities because Omicron is a serious threat.

That means our much anticipated KLCC’s fireworks display is off too. I am sure all other outdoor celebrations like the one planned for Desa Park City would be cancelled, as well. I have yet to check on our neighbour Souled Out whether they planned to hold their annual fireworks. It’s a landmark event for West KL

Watch New York’s NYE on TV
However, New York City will allow revellers into times Square to watch the “Ball Drop” provided they have proof of full vaccination. So, at least you can curl up in bed and watch one live event over television in the privacy of your own home.

Unfortunately, New York’s celebration is 12 hours behind us in KL. So that does not solve your desire to celebrate, in a small way, to welcome the new year.

A Small Dinner Party at Home
If you are thinking of a dinner party I would suggest you keep it small, although previous guidelines, from the authorities, allow as many as 250, in any social gathering. The bigger the group the greater the chance for the virus to spread. Reports say this variant spreads like wildfire.

Ten Guests, Max
Let’s keep the group small. I recommend a total of 10 close friends who are fully vaccinated with no known symptoms. Ten plus you and your spouse would be easier to manage. I am thinking of logistics. Although we have switched to metric a long time ago, most supplies still come in dozens. For example, a dozen party hats, whistles and glow the dark bangles, etc.

Request Self Administered Test
You may want to suggest that your guests undertake a voluntary self-test before arrival. It would help protect everyone. My wife and I were invited to lunch to celebrate a birthday recently and they insisted we did the same, sending photos of our test results beforehand. For those who did not have one, they had some helpers to administer, on-the-spot tests at the entrance. But that would be embarrassing having to turn away, guests, at your doorsteps if they were tested positive.

NYE Dinner Party Tips
If you were planning on holding a small party here are some useful tips.

1. Order a 5kg roast turkey. It’ll be enough to feed 12 people. Burnin Pit offers smoked roasted turkey with the works. Las Vegas in Hartamas and Botanica at Alila Hotel or in Bangsar South offer similar packages but roasted more traditionally. You may want to place orders early because these are meant for Christmas.
2. Have a Bar-B-Q. Get some beef, lamb or chicken and have a small barbeque with plenty of salad and grilled vegetables. Lee Frozen offers a wide selection of quality meats at reasonable prices. They have a newly opened, user-friendly branch, at Plaza Damansara. If you were familiar with their other branches, like the one in old Hartamas, you will find this new branch more delightful.
3. Jazz Up Your Punch Bowl. Mix freshly squeeze juices with sparkling tonic water with plenty of ice cubes to jazz up your punch bowl. Or ease up on your task of squeezing juices, by dropping in at any La Juiceria outlet. They have a wide range of fresh juices in handy and attractive bottles that guests can drink out of easily.
4. Desserts: healthy cakes with fresh fruits is a better way to start the year right. Try raw cakes that are sugarless, non-dairy, gluten-free, free from preservatives and artificial colouring. But it tastes really good. La Juciera, Raisin the Roof or Rubber Duck may have these guilt-free treats to help start your new year diet.
5. Entertainment: Take the karaoke sets out of storage or team up on Zoom for group singing with your friends far away from Bali and Bangkok. Video this event and keep it as part of your life’s history. You will look back, years from now, and have a good laugh. Or you may want to get Siri to play selected music to liven up the party. For those who do not sing and dance, organise board games.

Anyway, enjoy your New Year’s Eve Party at home, with your loved ones. Stay away from crowded places. # stay safe

Have a Happy New Year 2022.

Mihar Dias is a content writer under Headliner by Newswav, a programme where content creators get to tell their unique stories through articles and at the same time monetize their content within the Newswav app.
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