What to Do on NYE

New Years is one of those holidays that I can’t decide whether I love it or hate it. It largely depends on how I set my expectations. If I build it up to be this big holiday, watch too many movies with NYE celebrations in them, or daydream about the holiday too much, then it turns to be a big letdown. You mean I don't have a 100-foot yacht and enough money for my own personal fireworks show?!? It’s no wonder that the holiday turns to be a letdown when I expect it to be as grand as all of that.

Oddly enough, when I have no plans or expectations, it turns out to be the best NYE ever. One particular NYE, my husband and I got off a 9 hour flight and were going to take a quick nap before heading out to his mom's to have a low key night. Well, falling asleep at 3 pm seemed okay, but when we woke up at 9:00 we were scrambling.

We hadn't called, made any food, and felt horrible about oversleeping. We called the first restaurant that we thought might be open, asked his mom to meet us there, and drove 80 on the highway. We made it with 1 hour till midnight and agreed that “whatever happens, happens”, because we were just grateful we didn't completely oversleep!

It turned out to be the most fun and closest I had been to being on a boat for NYE. The restaurant had a live band that played Auld Lang Syne at midnight, the food was amazing, and the staff was so friendly. Now this did come with a cost and it wasn't a cheap night by any means, but reminded me that sometimes low expectations are the best when it comes to planning.

So how do you go about this? It’s important to keep in mind what matters most to you. Is it saving money? Being surrounded by people? Not being surrounded by people? Getting s#$*face drunk and throwing up on your neighbor’s fence? You would be surprised, but that could be someone's idea of a great NYE. While I probably don't have much advice on the last question, or want to get involved in a neighborly dispute, I can help with the others!

Save Money

• Find a Groupon to a restaurant: If you plan ahead and check the fine print, a Groupon can be a great option for having a fun NYE while saving some mula. My husband and I discovered our favorite Italian restaurant this way! We had no plans for NYE except to buy a car for my husband, and when we were done, we were starving and slightly angry (aka, hangry). We pulled up a Groupon, called the restaurant, and headed that way for a fantastic meal! We were so full afterwards, that going home and watching the fireworks on TV seemed perfectly acceptable. Now this doesn't have to be for a meal, maybe it’s for a bowling alley or brewery in the area. Take a look at what Groupon has and plan a fun evening. 

• Game Night with Friends: Invite a select few of friends over for an ole fashion game night! Keeping it just a couple of people will keep the cost down, as well as the stress. You can ask people to bring over their favorite game, have some drinks, and soon the good times will be going. I would suggest ending the night with a good game of Cards Against Humanity and just relax to ring in the New Year with laughter. 

Around People

1. Fancy Dinner: Sometimes we don't feel like being hermits, but don't want to go to a raging party or can't wrangle all our friends together on the night of NYE. If we still feel like doing something special, we decide to invest in a fun night out. We pick a restaurant, put on our fancy clothes, and head out. This way we are going out, and we feel like we are doing something fun. There is the extra bonus that typically the restaurant we pick is packed with people, so we don't feel like hermits either. It can be really fun to ring in the new year at the restaurant with the other patrons, making some new friends at the same time!

1. Throw a Party: If you are able to get your friends together, why not have people over! The best part about NYE is typically people come over after dinner, so you don't have the expectation to feed them other than light appetizers (which you can find in the freezer aisle), and you don't have to go anywhere. The party literally comes to you, you are surrounded by your friends, and you get to start the year with a fun celebration! 

Just You (or the Two of You)

1. Make a Special Meal: It is totally fair if you don't want to be surrounded by people and want to save money. Especially after the holidays which can be both stressful and expensive. So why not make your favorite meal, pick out an enjoyable movie, and have a night in? Plus, since when did it become taboo to have some R&R time to "hit the restart" button? It’s completely acceptable to not want to be driving during the most dangerous night of the year, and completely fine to need some down time. However, I understand the guilt that comes along with that decision, so make it a special night in for yourself. Make a special meal, enjoy a nice glass of wine, and go to bed early if you want! (I won't tell)

1. Take a Mental Health Day: Okay, if the one above sounds a little too low key, that’s fair. So why not take a day and completely focus on yourself. Of course you have work and obligations at home, so like any responsible adult, you’ve been slammed with errands and haven't had time for, let’s say, reading a book or going for a run. Well today is your day! You can make the decision to do the things you’ve been craving to do, but there hasn’t been enough time. Well now there is, and it is your own mental health day to take a break and completely focus on yourself.