By Sarah Ribeiro
We all have our idea of the perfect New Year’s Eve: spending the night with your loved ones, dancing the night away and counting down to midnight where you can pop champagne and share a kiss with your sweetheart. While tradition may be romantic to you, sometimes breaking that tradition can give you a unique, memorable experience that can make this the best New Year ever. Cupid spoke to some experts to find ways to celebrate the holiday and resolutions to keep through the year for both couples and singles:
1. Save your money: One of the most fun-wrecking part of the New Year holiday is having to work around your budget. Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance, says your best bet this holiday is to find free entertainment options in your community on New Year’s Eve, or go out early and skip late-night cover charges. “Set a budget for yourself for the evening and stick to it,” Schrage advises, “and if you’re going out with your partner, look for budget packages that include the price of a meal, parking, and a hotel room so you won’t be tempted to drink and drive.”
Related Link: Celebrate Being Single This Year
2. Don’t just go out — Go abroad: What better way to start the year off than spending the holiday in a different country with all of your friends? Marina Sbrochi, author of Stop Looking For a Husband: Find the Love of Your Life says, “A destination location is a great way for a group of singles to ring in a New Year – pick somewhere fun and do it up. Who knows? You just might meet someone great on New Years Eve.”
3. Meet new friends: Zuhairah Scott Washington, the creator of Kahnoodle, a mobile app for busy couples, says couples can have their romantic New Year’s Eve in the company of new friends: “Keep an eye on daily-deal sites like Groupon and Living Social for holiday specials on group activities like overnight ski trips, cruises, and parties. These are great for active couples who want to spend quality time
together while meeting other like-minded people. These deals also will save couples a decent amount of money on a fun New Year’s getaway, which is always nice right after gift-giving season.”
4. Stay in with your sweetheart: While it may be tradition to ring in the year with your friends — or out with strangers — try having an intimate night with your love. “Instead of hitting the party scene,” Washington says, “think about renting a private bungalow in the mountains or a sleepy town nearby to say hello to 2013 in a private, intimate setting. Run a hot bath, add the bubbles, pop the champagne, and soak the night away in each others’ arms.”
Related Link: Important Decisions to Make As a Couple
5. Make reasonable resolutions: Of course, it can’t be a New Year without a resolution. Both couples and singles alike can make realistic resolutions that they know they can keep.
Couples can start the year off by making a short-term, broader goal that’s easier to keep. “Instead of promising to have date night at least once a week, try agreeing that each partner will plan the date of
their choice once a month,” advises Washington. “This type of resolution has more room to breathe, and each partner can appreciate that the other is doing something for them on a regular basis.”
For singles, Shrage says, “It is important to set specific goals. It’s real simple to say, “I’m going to save more money this year,” but it’s those who put together specific strategies who have the most success. If you’re looking for love, a great New Year’s resolution is to improve your overall health as that will not only make you seem more “eligible” in the eyes of bachelorettes, but will also allow you to focus on finding love rather than worrying about your health.”
What are some ways to celebrate the New Year? Share with us in the comments below.
