New Year’s Eve 2006 – the nation’s big night in

New Year’s Eve is overpriced and overrated. This is the conclusion of the many Brits who are planning to see in 2007 with an evening at home with friends and family - rather than battle the queues in pubs and face the expense of the taxi home.

New Yorkshire Bank research found one in three people (32%) are planning to celebrate this New Year’s Eve at home in front of the TV. A further one in five (21%) is planning to stay in and entertain friends to avoid the expense and hassle a crowded pub or pricey club can bring.

The reason why one in four people (25%) are avoiding a wild night out is because of the cost of celebrating the New Year and then struggling to get a taxi home.

Gary Lumby, Yorkshire Bank’s head of retail, said: “We normally associate New Year’s Eve with outrageous parties and excessive spending. Our research suggests this is no longer the case. Scenes reminiscent of EastEnders and Pat Butcher’s front room with a few close friends gathered around her cocktail bar are more likely than being crammed into the Queen Vic or Scarlet’s Bar in Albert Square.

“People this year appear to be helping to avoid the aggravation and expense and choosing to be more sociable by spending a fun, but perhaps more relaxing and cheaper time celebrating at home. So it will be more about loafing on the sofa than leaping into fountains!”

Hey ‘small’ spenders
Yorkshire Bank’s research found just five per cent of households are planning to spend more than £200 on New Year’s Eve celebrations this year. One in eight people (13%) will in fact be tucked up in bed before Big Ben strikes 12, further suggesting it is not all about partying to the early hours.

Gary Lumby said: “Recent interest rates rises, high energy bills and the long wait until pay day at the end of the month could all be contributing factors to people feeling the pinch when it comes to New Year’s Eve. It appears more people are making the sensible choice to save on their finances rather than push themselves into debt.”

Midlanders outed as most likely to stay in
People in the Midlands are the most likely to be saving their cash and preferring a night in on New Year’s Eve, according to Yorkshire Bank’s research. More than one in three Midlanders (37%) are choosing to celebrate at home in front of the TV and one in four (23%) will be entertaining friends. The party capital is London, where just 25 per cent are opting for a relaxed night in.

Yorkshire Bank’s research also revealed that people in the North West are the most likely to snub the party altogether with one in three (32%) admitting they have in the past gone to bed before midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Gary Lumby said: “New Year’s Eve celebrations aren’t for everyone and it would seem those in the North West might not be up for a big party this year. A more sociable evening spent celebrating at home is obviously key to welcoming the New Year in this year.”

Party poppers Vs party poopers
It seems women are still keen to glam it up for New Year’s Eve while men are ‘glumming down’, according to Yorkshire Bank’s survey. One in five (19%) women will be buying a new frock and one in six (17%) will be sporting a new hair-do. However, 33 per cent of men think the whole night is over rated and almost always a disappointment.

Gary Lumby said: “It’s nice to make an effort when you’re celebrating but it might be that all the effort women are going to this New Year’s Eve could be for nothing if the blokes aren’t up for the party.”

Despite the apathy towards having a big night, one in eight people (13%) are still preparing to wake up on New Year’s Day with a belting hangover following too much booze.