It may seem strange but If you did not get your last fancy dress party quite right thirteen days ago (venue a bit too crowded, not the right weather, etc.) you can have another go at New Year’s Eve today. Many of the former Russian States in Eastern Europe and certain of those in Russia itself celebrate the eve of the New Year under the Julian Calendar. Although the Gregorian system is now widely adopted, there are still those who think that the old times (and dates) are the best, and it is not just a Soviet thing – in Scandinavia in Sweden and Finland today they are just finnishing (sorry finishing) their celebration of Christmas with St Knut’s Day. On this day in a combination of Santa Claus, Krampus (the mid-European character) and Trick or Treat, men and children dress as goats (not sure what the women do) and tour the area demanding food and drink (possibly off the women not dressed as goats). We are surprised there is anything left after twenty days of Christmas!

Well anyway, anyone brave enough to have another go at a New Year’s Eve so soon after the last one, we have plenty of fancy dress costumes to buy, or hire whatever theme you decide on.