By Muriel Lilker
Or have you already forgotten such quandaries as:
* What to say when someone asks, “Are you people busy New Year's Eve?”
What do they mean anyway? Are they about to invite you over, or are they merely checking on whether no one else has asked you either?
Take your time before answering. Give them a chance to say, “Listen, we've decided to do the honors this year, and we'd love to have you join us.
They don't say that? Or anything like it?
Then that's your cue to murmur something like, “We're waiting to hear about our cousin's time share in St. Thomas. If they can get it for the holidays, they definitely want us to be there too.”
* How (or whether) to gamble on getting a better invitation. This can be tricky, a balancing act that can actually backfire. Especially if you have good friends who have a party every year.
But you have recently met some engrossing people whom you would like to get to know.
Is it possible you might be invited to a party with them? Is this worth turning down your old friends just in case this comes up? Will they still be your friends in the coming year?
* On the lookout for an invitation. Each day it gets closer to the end of the month, and frantically you scan the daily mail and pounce on anything that looks like a card, and is addressed to Mr. and Mrs.
But it's another Christmas card! The sentiments are nice, but nowhere is there a mention of “Please share New Year's Eve with us.”
Tell yourself that the most interesting people turn out to be the least organized. (And try to remember whether anyone ever invited you as late as Dec. 20).
Suggestion! In the next few days, you might check out what videos are available. Pick up a small bottle of champagne. And tell yourself that you'd rather ring in the New Year with Kevin Spacey any time!
