Even in the midst of the Christmas season, many people are looking ahead to the year-end parties. While many will choose to keep vigils in their respective places of worship, others will prefer to “ring in” the new year at any of the myriad galas on offer.

Some may have to pay a hefty price to see and be seen.

Much of the action will centre in and around the capital city. A lot of the focus will be on the major hotels, which will each have their version of dinner and dancing, both to live bands as well as recorded tracks. Expect to pay big for the privilege, up to $4,500 per person for a full-course meal (buffet in most cases), champagne and party favours.

In contrast to the hubbub expected on Kingston’s Knutsford Boulevard, the venerable Liguanea Club will be hosting a more intimate, family-oriented six-course gourmet dinner.

“We’re going to be starting as early as 7:00 pm,” a representative of the establishment told the Observer, “so as to facilitate persons who want to bring their children, or those who may wish to move on to somewhere else later on.”

They will take reservations up to about 9:30 pm.

Several of the nightclubs, lounges and other night spots will also open their doors to the party set. At the refurbished Weekenz, the plan is for an all-inclusive dinner and party, consisting of full-course meal and selected cocktails. Popular live music hangout, The Deck, will also host a dinner and party, with the festivities set to begin from 5:00 pm.

Reservations are needed for dinner and must be made by December 30.

Just down the road, the UGI Group’s expansive rooftop will be the venue for a drink and hors d’oeuvres-inclusive Yesteryear celebration. Revellers will be asked to pay up to $2,000 if they are among those without an “invitation”. Specially invited guests get a $500 discount.

Sound systems are also getting in on the New Year’s act. Perennial favourites Merritone will continue their association with the Waterfalls venue on Mona Road, with a New Year’s Eve Celebration. That bash will set back party fans $1,500 per person. And for those who can’t get enough of 30-year veterans of the dancehall Stone Love, they will host their own bash at their Burlington Avenue headquarters.

Out west, one of the swankier gatherings is expected to take place at Round Hill. According to marketing manager Katrin Casserly, the hotel typically throws a black-tie affair for about 300 persons, with Unique Vision band providing the entertainment.

On the Gloucester Avenue hip strip, the popular Coral Cliff resort and gaming lounge is offering each party-goer a bottle of champagne as part of the cover package.

In contrast to the activities planned for Kingston and out west, the post-Ivan doldrums appear to be still in effect along the central part of the island. A sales representative at the Golf View hotel said the property had seen a dip in holiday bookings that are usually made by schools and business places. As a result, property managers have decided not to stage any New Year’s Eve celebrations this year. A similar decision was taken at the Mandeville Hotel, but a company representative declined to supply a reason.

For those unconstrained by either time or resources, one of the Ultimate New year’s soirees is being thrown by London’s Churchill hotel, part of the Hyatt regency chain. Among the amenities flyers making the Air Jamaica or British Airways trip can expect are:

. personalised stationery,

. a professional make-over with a specialist colour consultant,

. a “new look” shopping spree, with personal shopper, at the city’s renowned Selfridge’s store, and

. signed copies of the new cookbook by chef Giorgio Locatelli.

All this in addition to the obligatory full-course dinner and a magnum of Krug Grand Cuvee champagne.