It's the night of the year that carries the most expectation but rarely lives up to the hype. Whether it's down to drinking a little too much champagne before the countdown or not making it out due to a simple lack of planning, our New Year's Eve celebrations often fall flat at the first hurdle.
You tell yourself every year that it will be different, but this time it actually will be, because we have provided you with a tried-and-tested list of preparations to ensure that you organise the best New Year's Eve ever.
1. Make a solid plan
Yes folks, the key is in the organisation, especially if you're planning a trip away or a night out with a big group of people. If you want your New Year's Eve to go as smoothly as possible, decide on your plan as early in advance as you can, and stick to it. Make sure everyone knows what's happening, where you're headed, what time to be there, etc. As one of those nights that can go either way – epic success or major disaster – the best way to ensure that it goes off without a hitch is to plan every detail. Make Monica Gellar-style itineraries if needs be!
2. Pre-book your taxis
Heed our warning or you'll still be at home, waiting for a taxi to pick you up during the countdown. Even worse, you might be forced into assuming the role of designated driver for the night, just so that it isn't a total disaster. Whether you're hitting a party or heading into town for the night, book your taxi to and from the venue as early as you can so as not to miss out on one precious moment of celebration.
3. Make it special
While Stephen's Day seems to be one of those nights where everyone just heads to their local for a bit of craic, there is something distinctly special about New Year's Eve; it's about everyone getting together to celebrate the past and look forward to the future. Whether you're marking the occasion with friends or family, go all-out with the decorations and the tunes to create the perfect ambiance. If you're throwing a party, give it a theme and make everyone come in their finest glad rags to kick off the year in style.
4. Park the drama
Okay, so maybe you didn't find the perfect party dress in time, or perhaps you didn't get tickets to that big event that you had been looking forward to. A sure way to ruin your night is to feed into your own drama or that of those around you. Tell yourself that you're going to have an amazing night no matter what, and walk away from any unnecessary conflict. New Year's Eve is all about being with the people you love and having fun, so make the most of the night you get rather than comparing to the night you had hoped for.
5. Stock the fridge
We're thinking champagne for the countdown and plenty of food for the inevitable hangover the next day! Nothing ruins your epic New Year's Eve like waking up to a pounding headache and an empty fridge. This is even more important if you're throwing a party – there will be crashers and they will expect a feed the next morning!
6. Charge your phone/ camera
New Year's Eve is the biggest party night of the year. On top of that, it's probably the last time you and your friends or family will all be together for another year, so it's prime memory-making time. Make sure your gadgets are charged so you don't miss one precious moment – your photos and videos will provide a year's worth of happy memories.
7. Be with the people you love
Okay, it's prime party time, but the sentiment of the event falls a little flat when you find yourself wandering around a club or a random house during the countdown, wondering who half of these people are. A sure way to guarantee you have the best New Year's Eve possible is to surround yourself with your loved ones. Trust us; there's something really lovely about welcoming in a new year with the people you hold dearest, rather than sweating it out in a club around some seriously drunk strangers.
