Fantasy New Year’s Eve dinner party

How did you spend your New Year’s Eve?

We put the kids to bed, then me and hubby spent a cosy evening in front of the TV. He had a bacon sandwich, I had a fishfinger sandwich, and we necked two bottles of champagne.

Parteeeeeeeeee! Well, that’s how we roll in our house.

Truthfully, we weren’t party animals before the kids came along. At least, not when it came to paying well over the odds for drinks in an overcrowded pub/nightclub followed by a freezing few hours trying to find a taxi.

Then you end up walking home amongst a crowd of pi**ed up revellers who think they’ve got a good excuse to kiss you (even the ugly ones).

Yes, I know I’m sounding like a Grumpy Old Woman. (Less of the old, if you don’t mind).

But truthfully, I’m more suited to the dinner party atmosphere of staying warm and cosy in someone’s home while they ply you with fine food and drinks.

Last week, Ruth over at Dorky Mum laid down the gauntlet for bloggers to reveal their ideal Christmas dinner party.

Well, I’m a bit late, aren’t I? But there’s still time to adapt it to the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

So here’s my festive fantasy (no, not the one about Colin Firth and a large tub of chocolate sauce – the other one).

This is my ultimate Hogmanay dinner party.

Caterer: Rick Stein would be good – probably because he could serve up something a little different to the traditional festive turkey roast. He’s great with seafood, which I love. Bet his fishfinger sandwiches would be something special!

Entertainment: I’d make each of my guests stand up and ‘do a turn’. My lovely friend Trina used to do this at her dinner parties and though we all moaned about it, everyone ended up having fun – even if it just involved reciting a dirty limerick.

Dress Code: Pyjamas and fluffy slippers. If I could, I’d spend all day in mine. And in my fantasy, I’ve got a large country house so my guests could partake of good food and wine – then stay in the several guest rooms

Guest List:

Dara O’Briain: I’ve seen him three times at the Edinburgh Festival and got face-ache from laughing so hard. I just love him – and that beautiful Irish accent

Kirstie Allsopp: I don’t always agree with her. But Kirstie’s outspoken ways have inspired this blog post - and this one. So I reckon she’d be good for a healthy debate or two

Bruce Forsyth: No, I’m not a fan of Strictly. I just like the old-style entertainers. Brucie’s a true gent and I’m sure he’s got lots of interesting stories from more than half a century in showbiz

Tinie Tempah: Let’s stir things up a little shall we? I love this guy’s music, and admire his talent. Brucie and Tinie at the same table? Could be heaven, or hell

David Tennant: He’s a new Dad, and my favourite Doctor Who. Mr G would love discussing his favourite dalek with him (I kid you not!) while I’d love to hear about his baby daughter and his latest acting projects

Ruth Jones: She wrote and starred in Gavin and Stacey, one of my favourite comedies. Respect

Davina McCall: I’ve always loved Davina. She’s gorgeous and game for a laugh. She could probably give me a few tips on keeping fit. But she’s one of those girls I can imagine getting drunk and cackling at dirty jokes with

Lily Allen: She’s another amazing talent, a generally outspoken and feisty bird, and apparently she’s now become a mum to a baby girl (many congrats Lily). She’d be great fun and interesting conversation

So there you have it. What would be your ideal dinner party – for Hogmanay or any time?

Hop on over to Dorky Mum to see Ruth’s fantasy dining experience, and other bloggers who’ve taken up the challenge to reveal theirs.

Posted by Donna

Tags: baby daughter, bacon sandwich, Bruce Forsyth, champagne, Colin Firth, dalek, Dara O'Briain, David Tennant, Davina McCall, Dorky Mum, Dr Who, festive fantasy, fishfinger sandwich, Gavin and Stacey, Grumpy Old Women, Hogmanay, Kirstie Allsopp, Lily Allen, Lily Allen's baby, New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve celebrations, party, party animals, Rick Stein, Ruth Jones, Strictly Come Dancing, Tinie Tempah