by Jen B.

Created on: December 21, 2007

My friends and I start stressing around mid-November of every year.
"What are we going to do for New Years?" someone whines.
There's always that one person who has plans.
"Oh, well, Dexter and I are flying out to Vail this year," she giggles.
We glare.
"I dunno, your parents cabin again?" someone haphazardly suggests.

This used to continue until we became too bored with ourselves to bother finishing the conversation. Not anymore. We took the initiative, and absent a surplus of money to getaway to someplace exotic, found the solution to find the best New Year's parties in the area. Planning is not town specific and will work for anyone looking to have a good time to bring in the New Year.

Contact the local bars and restaurants. Ask if they are hosting anything special for the New Year. You'll find at least one, probably more, that are. Once you locate a few that are planning New Year festivities, find out more details. Ideally, you want to find a bar or restaurant that charges a reasonable cover and includes free drinks, live music and appetizers. Last year, the perfect bar in my region charged thirty-five dollars, including unlimited top shelf liquor. After pinpointing a venue that provides the same, call your friends and excite them about the "fantastic party" you found for the New Year. After all, you do not want to go alone or just with your significant other. New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate with friends and family alike. Round up and inform as many people as you know. Tell them to do the same. Shortly, the public bar or restaurant you found will transform into your own private New Year party without the work or expense.

Make sure to buy your tickets early and have your friends do the same. Good New Year parties sell out quickly. I recommend securing a ticket by late-November. Sometimes, luck shows its infrequent face, and last minute tickets make themselves available. To be safe, however, organize and book early. Finally, remember to take a minute or two on New Year's Eve to bask in your party planning success. Look around at all the smiling and slightly intoxicated faces and pat yourself on the back. No more New Year's huddled in someone's basement fighting over MTV's TRL countdown or Fox's Ryan Seacrest. Congratulations and happy New Year!

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