Five Ways to Avoid Disappointment This New Year's Eve

Every year it's always the same thing. You try to make fantastically exciting plans for New Year's Eve but end up being overwhelmingly disappointed. Planning for New Year's Eve can be less stressful if you just follow a few basic rules. Having had made each of these mistakes at least once in my lifetime, I can tell you firsthand that avoiding them are guaranteed to help you make the right choice when it come to planning your New Year's Eve celebration.

1. Do not wait until the last minute to make plans. You are not going to suddenly get invited to some fabulous and wonderful New Year's Eve celebration if you wait until the last minute. Nor are you going to discover a great deal at a trendy club the night before. Your options for New Year's Eve are going to be the same whether you commit the beginning of December or the day before New Year's Eve.

The only thing you are going to do by waiting is give yourself more stress by limiting some options that may have been available to you had you chose to commit earlier. Restaurants, clubs and bars often fill up their reservations by the middle of December so you should really start researching right after Thanksgiving if going out is on your options list.

2. Don't go someplace you've never been before. You found a bar on the internet that's not too far from your home and is offering a great deal for New Year's Eve. At only $75 a person you think it's a great deal compared to other options. You book the reservations and pay for the tickets, never wondering why you've never been to the bar before even though it's in your neighborhood.

The night arrives, you're dressed to impress, hungry and ready for fun. Then you arrive at the bar only to find there are about 12 people there all at least twice your age. The music is not your taste at all and the food is horrible. To avoid making this mistake be sure to either go someplace you've already been before or check the place out before reserving your tickets.

3. Don't assume you are getting dinner with that $100. For $100 per person you must be getting a meal with that unlimited bar, right? Not necessarily so. Some ultra-trendy nightspots charge a hefty fee on New Year's just so that you are privileged enough to attend. Be sure to inquire in detail about what is included with the ticket price. Ask specifics about the meal such as if it comes with appetizers, or if it is sit-down or buffet style. Find out when the pen bar starts and ends and figure out if it's worth your money. Be sure to ask about the dress code, as well. You don't want to spend $100 only to be told at the door that you're not dressed appropriately.

4. Don't spend it with strangers. You decide you're not happy with the choice your friends made for New Year's Eve this year, so you decide to make your own plans with a few acquaintances. You may have fun for a while, but more often than not you will find yourself wanting to be with those you truly care about as the night goes on.

Sacrificing party location or method of celebration may be a better choice than ending up miserable with people you don't even know. After all, people tend to forget that New Year's Eve is a celebration of the up and coming year ahead. Are the people you're spending it with going to be a part of your life next year? If they're just casual friends, save the party for another time and treat New Year's Eve as a holiday not just an excuse for partying.

5. Avoid drinking too much too early in the night. If you paid for an open bar you may want to get your money's worth. Or you may just want to get a little drunk for the celebration. Be aware of your limits and pace yourself. You don't want to make the mistake of getting too drunk before the ball drops. Not only will your celebration be ruined, but you'll feel like a complete idiot for an entire year until you have another chance to make up for it.

If you just think about these five things when making your New Year's Eve plans you'll find yourself less stressed out about it. I always set up my expectations too high when planning New Year's Eve festivities only to be disappointed. This year I pre-planned with a few family members and didn't get crazy with the options. Remember what the holiday means and don't do anything you wouldn't do any other night of the year.

If you really want to avoid all of this stress, just plan on a cozy night at home with your loved ones!