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Party Preparations, Resolutions Top The List Of New Year Plans
By Jo Ann La Russo
Party hats and noisemakers are on shopping lists this weekend for those who want a good time when they say goodbye to the old year.
For New Year’s Eve entertaining, your list of holiday style goodies is easy to fill. So is your beverage list, depending on your taste and style.
But, after all the partying, there are generally a whole bunch of New Year’s resolutions to be filled that never seem easy to maintain.
Lifestyle changes and promises to quit smoking top resolution lists for 2007. People want to do better and want the best for their family. They want to improve themselves and their habits.
Throughout Ocean County, residents were quick to respond to that question this week. What are some of their resolutions for the coming New Year?
Joan Blum, Lacey, who was working in the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library this week, says that she hopes to spend less money this year -- and if that sounds all too familiar, Rose Hartner of Whiting had one even more familiar: she wants to lose some weight.
Store employee Kandi McFarland of Toms River wants to quit smoking. Her coworker Marissa St. Clair, 21, of Lacey, wants to return to school, she said, to get herself a better job.
John Reilly of Toms River said this coming year that he wants to fix up around the house and his wife, Marianne, wants to redecorate.
Raymond of Brick said he hope to get a new car next year and his 16-year-old son, Alan, agreed.
Lisa, of Brick, out shopping in Toms River this week at the many post holiday sales, said that she will be off to sunny climes in the New Year as a wonderful way to get away from it all.
“I’m going on a Caribbean cruise with my husband and my son,” said the happy shopper.
While many choose to stay at home with friends and family on the big night to end all nights, December 31, Ruth Wilkinson of Bayville will celebrate out with friends at a
buffet at the Water’s Edge Restaurant.
“We are seven widows,” said Wilkinson, “and we like to spend New Year’s Eve together.”
She said that her top priority for the New Year will be, “to stop forgetting things and to clean out my refrigerator.”
A new home in Toms River is on the horizon for Bayville couple Katie and Shawn, who recently purchased their first house and look forward to moving in.
“We can’t wait to be our in own home,” said Katie, who added that she hopes Shawn will resolve to quit smoking for the new year.
Beachwood Elementary School students and sisters, Emily, 9, and Rebecca, 12, were out shopping with their Uncle George and their four-year-old sister, Natalie.
The girls were gleeful post holiday and said that they received clothes, toys, electronic gifts and new bedroom furniture for Christmas. Natalie was content with several dolls and a Mr. Potato Head. The kids said that they cannot wait for midnight on New Year’s Eve so they can run around outside their house with sparklers and bang on pots and pans.
“It’s the only night of the year that kids can make noise and not get in trouble,” said their uncle.
R.S.V.P.’s are in for celebrations. At local bakeries, workers frosted huge cakes and decorated them with Happy New Year themes in lavender and silver. Party trays have been assembled and are ready to go, said store employees.
Toni, a manager at a local supermarket bakery, said orders have come in for lots of rolls and bread for party sandwiches, and also orders for platters of finger foods. Along with layer cakes, fruit cakes were popular this holiday at the bakery.
Liquor stores have uncased crates of good wines and have ready many special brews for their customers to imbibe. Floral departments are set up for a last minute rush to buy that perfect hostess gift. Party balloons and cut flowers are a perfect choice, said a sales clerk who did not want to mention her name.
After the sounds of “Auld Lang Syne” on the big night of fun and promises, whether a New Year’s resolution will remain and for how long is up for debate. A promise to change for the better, though, is always a good one.
Either way, Gwen, a resident of Holiday City, said it best with her “resolution for everyone.”
“Enjoy life. Live it to the fullest. That is the truly the best advice. And Happy New Year,” she exclaimed.
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