I've been in my place now for over 25 years. When I first purchased the place, I could not afford the electricity to heat the home, so I had to use the fireplace insert for heat, and hang sheets and blankets over the entrances to rooms that were not essential. Hard times, those, but I wanted to invest in our futures, so I intentionally sacrificed goodies and toys for the next 20 years just to have the privilege of owning a home I would like to retire in. (My dad always told me that the best investment is to purchase the cheapest home in the best neighborhood.)
In past years for New Years eve, I've been in many party places such as Times Square, Mission Bay in San Diego, and Las Vegas - all full of glitz, glamor, crowds, and excitement.
Now for New Year's eve I like nothing more than to stand by my fire pit in the almost eerie silence that one experiences in areas of heavy snow, hearing faint sounds of merriment in the distance while enjoying the heat and crackle of the fire. It almost makes me feel like I'm the last person on the planet... yet not. As I stand by the fire, images of the celebratory chaos occurring in the aforementioned centers of festivities flash through my mind and I draw my coat tighter, feeling completely content - an almost indescribable sensation of perfection.