Got invited to a New Year party? Don't RSVP just yet

Still in the city - have no plans to fly out of the country to celebrate the New Year's Eve? We can feel the pressure too. If you've sorted your resolutions for 2017 then we bet you haven't had the time to select your outfit for the New Year's Eve. Worse, you are yet to choose the party you wish to go to. It's that time of the year (forgive the cliché) when everyone gets invited to a party, irrespective of their ranking on the social butterfly scale. Now, not everyone gets along well with party invites. Simply because judging a gathering by the cover, err, invite, just got trickier in Dubai. Here's a crash course to help you get started. Hurry up and RSVP.
BYOF: Living in this era, you can't afford to go wrong with acronyms. Potlucks are passé, enter BYOF: Bring Your Own Food. This invite will reach you through a group chat on WhatsApp. It doesn't require you to cook for the crowd (hosts included) but, just for yourself - a one-portion meal, or a meal for two, if you will be accompanied by a guest. Also, there will be no pressure on you to act courteous and share your food with others. Cup noodles, a chicken sandwich, a seven-course meal - everything will be acceptable at this DIY party.
Don't 'mind' (the) games: Until all the guests arrive, ideally you should be served a lovely selection of appetisers and beverages, right? However, at such dos, it would be expected of you to stay hungry and occupied until everyone has graced you with their presence. You'd be handed over word puzzles worksheets to kill time, sharpen your vocabulary; basically not complain (Just be glad that you are not asked to solve the Rubik's Cube). If you're lucky, there may be some picture sheets too. Monica Geller of Friends would have loved to be a part of such an organized fun do.
Countdown can wait: Roads will be crowded, even the canal could (would) be, leaving you with few choices: One, you find peace with spending more time on the road (with the cabbie) than at the venue (with your friends and family). Two, you cancel the party. Hold on, the realists have come up with two more choices. You welcome 2017 on the 31st afternoon and retire to the comfort of your home before the countdown. Or you scream Happy New Year on the first noon of January - the roads will be relatively empty. Sounds like a plan, eh?
A spread of leftovers: A lot of food gets wasted at parties, hence hosting a post-party - a day later is good idea for the sake of the planet as well. Draw out two guest lists and divide-invite accordingly. Noodles transform into frittata, cake into pops or cookies, and pizza slices get served (cold) straight out of the refrigerator.
Meet the strangers: A friend's neighbour's cousin's colleague is hosting THE party of the year and the invite has reached you - you can't be a spoilsport, you lucky one, just show up. Fret not, you will be surrounded by strangers and will not be alone in the awkward social spot. Ring in the New Year with an effort to make new friends.     Keep thy phone away: Dinner etiquettes suggest you don't stare into your phone screens rather have a conversation with people sitting right next to you. We recommend, don't overlook these words of wisdom. Since 'lock away the mobile phones' can lead to anxiety attacks, the latest party 'scam' states that whoever, looks at his/her phone foremost pays for the meal. A variation - if you are partying minus your partner, then whoever's better half calls to check on him/her first, pays.
Oh, there is another one too: I could be anywhere but at a party. Yes, this one requires you to dress down, no wonder, we haven't got an invite to this do. For, when in Dubai, you glam up and not dress down. Here's hoping you make it to your party on time.
purva@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai