How Long Should I Say “Happy New Year”

Ok, I know there's the parties, the resolutions and a new beginning and all that. But the one thing I always have a problem with is how long into the New Year do I have to say "Happy New Year."Now this Happy New Year thing is nice, but it does get old pretty quick. Every year I go through this same dilemma, how long do I have to say it.

If I don't see someone I know till February should I wish him or her a Happy New Year, or is that too late?

This past year a friend of mine (who I see a few times a month) and I decided to say it to each other all year long. It became a fun joke and we really got some strange looks from people especially when we ran into each other six or seven months into the year.

Now I've done some research and found these answers to this age old question:

• The rule of thumb I have always been told is Jan. 6.
• After you have already wished that person a happy new year. Otherwise, about a week later is appropriate.
• A few days later is okay. Anything after that, it's over with.
•  You might want to not use the phrase as of the second of January. 
• Depends on when you see the person. I'll be saying Happy New Year to all my co-workers in a few days but I'll stop saying it about mid-Jan as long as I've been able to say it to everyone.

So, it seems like early or the latest mid-January is the best time to knock this Happy New Year thing off.

More practically, how about if we all agree to only say it for the first two weeks of the year ... deal? Or if anyone who has the audacity to utter it after Jan. 14 gets pelted with rocks and garbage, or better yet forced to watch a Pee Wee Herman film festival.

Some witty politician should lobby congress to make this a new law and get it on the books. This way we'll all have to watch out for the "Happy New Year Police" if we slip up after the 14 day limit.

Hope this blog stimulates a little conversation as we head into 2015, and by the way, "Happy New Year!"