Mezzo'sMama

How do these "traditions" begin and then morph over the years? I've always wanted to go out for the evening, but since having my eldest when I was just 23, I've been a homebody on "THE" night. We eat late, but it's not really dinner; it's a mix of different snacks, always centered around rye and pumpernickle bread hollowed out with dill dip in the middle. Different cheeses, crackers, shrimp, maybe some chicken nuggets to keep youngest son, age 15 1/2 from eating the cats! Bought the champagne yesterday and actually remembered to chill it too, also have sparkling cider on ice. But, our evening will be centered around the classical musician's favorite program, " Live From Lincoln Center", this year featuring Thomas Hampson. I know, that's pathetic, isn't it?! I hope he loosens up, as if he sings the rep from his latest CD, we'll all be asleep after 20 minutes, but then again, we survived Susan Graham's one and only attempt at singing "Carmen" last year, which should have served as a harbinger of this year's economic news!
Come on, you all have musical kids, how will you be spending the hours leading up to midnight?

PS- after LFLC is over, we always put on the 1994 Glyndbourne cast of "Figaro", pausing it only long enough to watch the "ball" drop. THIS, my CC friends is a window into my rather odd existance. I think I need draperies....