WELL, here we are, on the brink of a new year, with just a day left to the big countdown to 2017.

Will York Minster bells toll? Where will the crowds go if they don’t?

Revellers who have somehow missed the news headlines over recent weeks and are in the dark about ‘Bell-gate’ may still swarm to the great Gothic cathedral, only to be left drunkenly confused about the silence reigning over the city where once the bells would have rung in a new era.

Those up to speed with York’s current affairs may already be pondering where they should head tomorrow night instead.

Where should they pop their mini bottles of Prosecco at the stroke of midnight and link arms with strangers for Auld Lang Syne, voices trailing off as they realise they’ve never learned all the words.

Then there’s the universal dilemma of what to do next... venture back into the warmth of a cosy pub, hit any revolving dance floor they can find, join the bustling taxi ranks or head home in heels and suffer the consequences?

Those heady days are far behind me, gone the moment we had children which makes it at least 10 years since I last stood in the shadow of the Minster at the stroke of 12.

It’s fair to say New Year’s Eve has often been a fairly sedate affair since my boys were born.

That’s not to say we’ve been hermits for the past decade.

We’ve hosted and been on ‘sleepovers’ at friends’ houses where the kids get to go wild until they crash out, leaving the adults to enjoy fine food and fizz in peace.

This year we are hosting, but I’m wondering whether we’ll make it to midnight at all.

A sick bug and then man flu struck over Christmas, making this New Year’s Eve feel like more of an endurance test than a cause for celebration.

But fingers crossed, good health will reign over us and give us the staying power we need.

I’ve seen a guide doing the rounds on social media on how to toast the new year with children.

For many youngsters, lack of sleep can leave tempers in tatters, making the day after worse than any hangover for the parents, ruling out a late night for all.

One suggestion on how to involve them was to watch all the celebrations around the world as they happen so the children feel part of the occasion. It’s not a bad move but a bit drawn out for my liking.

Another idea was to change all the clocks so they believe they’re really sharing the moment when in reality it’s barely 9pm. It’s worth a shot if you can get away with it - some adults might even be tempted.

A friend with younger children than mine must have taken a knock to the head as she’s invited other young families to hers for a night of celebrations, complete with fireworks. Brave or daft - you decide.

We’ll probably dig out some unused sparklers, put the disco ball on and blast out a few cheesy tunes in the name of fun, with a few festive leftovers in hand, before the calorie count of 2017 begins in earnest.

When the clock strikes bedtime, the boys will be gone, leaving the grown-ups to sit back, pop a cork or two and muster up the energy for a few rounds of Taboo (the game) before hitting the sack moments after Big Ben proclaims 2016 dead and buried.

Our home-spun celebration will be a far cry from bygone festivities - a conga in Coventry to mark the new millennium springs to mind, as does a mass waltz on the streets of Vienna before a drunken drag on a cigar.

But, regardless of how you decide to mark the moment - whether it’s a major milestone in your life complete with (Minster?) bells and whistles, or a quiet blip on the clock, may I wish you all a Happy New Year and good health and happiness for 2017.