It has always been called New Year Eve as far back as I can remember. I understood New Year's Day became a Bank Holiday in 1974 because so many people did not turn up to work on 1 January because they had been bringing in the New Year. We always celebrated New Year's Eve pre- 1999 - no new thing.

Any minute now...

It's a bit like when you go to America and someone asks if you have The Internet over there

It's annoying that some stereotypes have carried over like getting kids to programme the PVR, I was doing for that for my P's in the 80's & 90's so I don't need a kid to help me set a series record up

I was allowed to listen to 1979 coming in on a radio in my bedroom, when I was not quite ten years old. That was the first new year I saw, or rather heard, come in. A year later, New Year's Eve 1979 going into 1980, I was allowed to stay up for the first time, and watched Kenny Everett's New Year show, which I recall included a sketch in which Kenny, as a knife thrower, mistakenly skewered Suzi Quatro several times.

It used to be a massive celebration here in Scotland. Parties for days. Strictly adults and lots of booze singing drunkenness. Not so much now!

Party fads wear off.

I know. As children we were allowed up to see the new year in, after a haggis meal my dad would go out, fire his rifle into the air and come in bringing the new year with him. I was fascinated.

Our first Hogmanay (1974), on our brand-new-build estate, we were bemused and delighted to learn that the whole street was to be Open-House, and we should be too.

All Curtains open, lights blazing, sideboards stacked with buffet food.
Everyone just drifted up and down the street from one house to another.
It was a great way to meet the new neighbours.

If only there was that much trust now, we'd be a lot better off!

Why the Americanism? Or are you being sarcastic?
Say it as it is, "two thousand and seventeen."

It was celebrated in Dublin. or at least the populace at large would gather at the gates of the church to wait for the bells to chime in the New Year. I remember doing that from the 60s. Even when deep snow was on the ground, we sunk our way to the church gates, and what fun it was falling into the deep ruts on the way. When New Year arrived we all wished each other a Happy New Year. One year we went to the newspaper street in Dublin, where they had a moving screen up high and we saw the ball come down! It was quite jolly, and at least we saw the New Year in

These days in another country, I wait for the fireworks to bring in the New Year. Someone around these parts always has fireworks, and we don't have to go out and watch them, as they can been seen from a window or 3

I used to love the Hogmanay shows on Telly, and each year the telly always took us to Scotland where it was very jolly. I don't remember seeing anything like that in England though. Scotland was the place to celebrate New Year.

Well, we did always say 'nineteen-seventy-whatever, eighty-whatever, ninety-whatever,' so logically, it should be twenty-whatever now.

NYE in London used to be drunk people milling around Trafalgar Square.

Then they discovered fireworks.

Then they realised you could charge people to watch them

I went to Trafalgar Square / West End twice on New Years Eves. Once in my early 20s and once in my early 40s. It was horrendous both times.


I'm so glad I can stay in the comfort of my home, warm and near to snacks and the loo.
The BBC and cheap supermarket booze complete the ideal evening.

It's probably a bit much to ask given that you passed away during the week - but do catch up.

I'm too young to remember "going out" pre 2000 but I remember going with my dad, his gf and her son to the pub NYE 2001 and it was very busy. The following year I was working in a night club on the cloak room and got paid £70 for working a 6 hour shift, not bad for a 16 year old! The club stayed opened later and charged £10 instead of £5 to get it and it was packed. The year after that I went out into town but didn't stay out long as it was far too busy everywhere and a couple of places charging to get in.

The ex and I usually did a party or went to a party depending on the plans for xmas that year. We did also go down our local a couple of times as they stayed open till 1am and had a disco. Easy enough to walk home so no taxis needed

With my husband and I we've stayed in and watched the fireworks on TV. As he's worked it he normally gets home around 11:30-11:45pm so we do see it in together. Probably do the same this year

In the spirit of the OP, I woukd say that 2000 was the year tgat fireworks at midnight became 'a thing'.

There was always a large congregation at Trafalgar Square but not the spectaculars that you see these days

I agree - if anything, in Scotland, it has become less of an event since 1999 rather than more of one. It used to last for days - now it is just Hogmanay then it is all over. Of course, though, we still do get the extra Bank Holiday, which this year means most people won't be going back to work until the 4th

The first footer tradition seems to be dying out now that the pubs/clubs all stay open.

Historically New Year was the main festive celebration in Scotland, with Christmas not even a public holiday until the 50s/60s - so I suppose as Christmas has become a more important event we're spreading out the festivities rather than saving it all up for Hogmanay.

I grew up in Scotland so NYE was/is always a big deal, although ironically it seems to have declined slightly. Now I live in London, which is really packed to the rafters on NYE, if you don't have tickets to get in anywhere you can pretty much forget it unless you want to pay £40 door charge, you would be able to go into pubs though. Getting served is a bit of a nightmare, but there is such a good vibe on the streets.

On New Years Day though central London is a ghost town, whereas in Scotland New Years day is seen as another day of celebration, not that Scots in general need an excuse to get drunk.

I have never celebrated New Year beyond a toast at home with a sherry and a 'happy new year'. New Years Eve used to be a silent affair with pubs shutting at the usual time, bit of drizzle, black and white film on TV. That was the 80's in a small town, maybe different in larger towns. Anyway, I have never partied in 1999 or any other time. No real interest in shouting, drinking or breaking stuff.

The age of the nightclub midnight countdown.

Oh how I don't miss that. And bar service usually be stopped around 11.30 but wouldn't be annouced!