How to solve the New Year problem

IT’S THE QUESTION that always monopolises the tail-end of the festive season. “So, what are you doing for New Year’s Eve?”

It’s a tough one to answer, especially if you don’t have any plans, and in fact (like most people) despise New Year’s Eve and have absolutely no desire to decamp en masse with everyone you’ve ever met to some bolthole, queue outside a club for hours, or get stuck in the local twice as busy as ever. Or if you refuse to pay extortionate hotel prices. Or if you failed to get it together to book flights somewhere back in April, or are afraid to express the reality that you’ll actually be at home in bed by 11.30pm.

So, what are the best ways of answering the question?

LieThat's right, make up something ridiculous that no one could ever find out. Something regarding going somewhere slightly random for a night should work – Reykjavik, Moscow, that kind of thing. The person posing the question will be so taken aback, they won't want to start banging on about their house party.

Stay in aloneBe massively evasive and mysterious when asked what you're doing, and then stay in alone. Do not under any circumstance invite other people around because inevitably at 11pm they'll decide that you should all go out and soak up the (rubbish) festive spirit.

Go to a gigGigs are probably the best way to spend New Year's Eve. You're out and about, but not in a terrible club, there's some entertainment on offer, and they're generally well-priced. Check out Jape (pictured) at Whelan's in Dublin, And So I Watch You From Afar, Daithi, Toby Kaar and more at the Róisín Dubh in Galway or Whipping Boy at the Spirit Store in Dundalk.