Two famous Christmas haters were Ebenezer Scrooge in the 19th and 20th century and the Grinch in the late 20th century. Mean and miserable as they were they were necessary to give the true Christmas Spirit something to fight against and win.

Well, the New Year celebrations need a Grinch also, and I, being a bit Grinchy myself, am willing to fill that role.       

Remember all those wise guys on TV last New Year who told us that “Well 2021 was kind of a bummer but here we begin with a new slate.  I just have a feeling that 2022 will be much better for our company (or country, city, province, the Riders, economy etc etc etc)”.

Well was it? Soon you’ll be hearing, “OK,, 2022 was pretty terrible, but in 2023...”.We all like to be positive. We’re like the farmers who, after a disappointing crop, say, “Maybe next year…”.

Well, I’m here today to tell my fellow citizens to quit the dreamy future delusions and buckle down to help us all survive the  lousy year in store for us.

I’ll start with a list of some of the things  to expect from New Year’s Eve and Day:

Hangovers.

Waking up January 1 to a house and yard totally cluttered with toys, broken toys, bushels of packaging, a tree shedding needles like dandruff, miles of electric cables, hundreds of indoor and outdoor decorations to take down and repack, empty liquor glasses and bottles and stained carpets everywhere.

And you’re broke--just had to buy all those expensive gifts, foods, beverages, and decorations didn’t you?  

The beginning of the coldest months of the year. When it takes you 15-20 minutes to get fully dressed and booted in your heaviest, most massive outfit--and do the same for your small child as well--don’t tell me you  don’t feel a little Grinchy. And there’s the snow you know you’re going to shovel for hours when you find you can’t push your outside door open . Happy 2023.

On a New Year’s Eve when I was in my early 20s my girlfriend, my friends and I went to a dance in a town  some distance from our home. It was a beautiful night, calm, temperature far above normal. Then a raging blizzard struck, the temperature dropped like a rock, heavy snowfall and zero visibility made it impossible for us to drive home until the next day.

History shows us that other times and places have had New Years far from Happy:

New Year’s Eve 1970 Paul McCartney sued his fellow Beatles, bringing the band to its end.

Slave auctions in the United states were often held on New Year’s day in the 1800s

This is a bit hard to imagine: In some Scandinavian places a custom is for everyone to be standing on chairs and jumping off at the moment of 12:00. Oh well, simple to organize and cheaper than parties I guess.

Christmas Eve 1964 in the U.S. three people from the well known criminal family the Egans were shot to death in what is known as the Jefferson County Murders.

36 people died in a stampede in Shanghai, China, on New Year’s Eve, 2015.

Lonely people are often at their loneliest on New Year’s Eve when everyone else seems to be celebrating with friends and family.

Enough. In spite of all that I can’t help hoping that all my readers will be treated royally by 2023. Happy New Year.

To comment on columns contact Esther or me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 306 384 8657 or 110 - 201 Cree Place Saskatoon,  S7K 7Z3