That didn't prevent a round of celebrations, with guests invited to her home and invitations from friends. We talked about the lack of money. My friend complained that though she liked guests, she was sorry she could not put out as much food and drinks as she used to. She worked at a bank and lost her job in August. How anyone can afford even a little celebration remains a mystery in a country in financial ruin, where even many of those who still have a job don't get paid regularly.
People dig into the last of their savings rather than ignore a holiday.
And it's still cheap to drink. With two opportunities to make resolutions, Russians might be expected to have long lists of them. So Russians make wishes, instead. Lots of them. She wrote her wish on a piece of paper, burned it and poured the ashes into a glass of champagne that had to be drunk as the clock struck midnight.