Survive a New Year's Eve Party

New Year's Eve is always a crazy night, and hopefully this article will help you survive it. Whether you're planning a party or attending one, this article will show you how to make the best of your time.

Plan out everything. Whether you're throwing or going to a party for New Year's, planning is always important. If you're throwing the party, make sure to have it under control and try to stay sober. You'll be in charge of organizing things and helping people have a fun and safe time. Sending out invites a while in advance is always good, and including the right information is good too. If you are not planning to let your friends chill at your house overnight, make sure they have a safe, sober ride home.
* If you're the one going to a party, you have some planning to do as well. Plan out what you're going to wear, how you'll be going to the party, and from the party, who will be driving, how long your going to be there, and what your going to bring. It is polite to bring something for a party when you attend, such as special chocolates, a bottle of wine, or some music for the hosts and party. It is also important to know what other friends or family members are doing for New Year's Eve before you make any plans.
Always have a designated driver(s) available for people. At the beginning of a party, it is a good idea (as a host or guest) to make sure everyone has a way of getting home if they are not staying at the host's home.
Be social and have fun. Even if you're not where you want to be on New Year's Eve, make the best of it. Even if you're home by yourself, you can still have a great time. Stay on the phone with friends or, if possible, join close family or neighbor's parties (if you are close to them.) If you're at at a boring party or stuck at a party with someone you don't like, try to liven things up. Play the music, get some food, dance, set up games for children at the party, let the teenage children play video games, socialize with the others there, or just bring out the shots!
Do your best to keep the party alive. If you're hosting a 'bad' party, then try to liven things up (like stated before) or ask a close party guest for advise. It's always a good idea to have a few close friends help you out at a party. If things get really slow, do a "Round the Room Resolutions" game by having everyone share a little about their goals for the new year. It's a fun way to quickly pass the time, and a great conversation starter.
While waiting for the ball to drop, gather guests in or close to the room/TV where you will watch and celebrate the ball dropping on TV. Be prepared with sparklers, noisemakers, drinks, hats, poppers, or anything else festive for the countdown.
Make sure you and everyone else has some treats or food to eat. If a host is serving food you're not fond of or cannot eat(like a vegetarian at a steak dinner), there are a few things you can do. You can eat before you come or bring in a food both you and the host like as a party gift. New Year's Eve is all about getting drunk, but try to avoid it if you can/want to. As a host make sure to have a large selection of food and drinks, and non-alcohol drinks as well. Snacks as well as small, light meals should be served and available throughout the night.
Have a special "rest" room. If hosting a party, make sure you have a separate room or bathroom set aside for people that become to drunk or 'partied out.' If someone becomes too intoxicated, ask one of their friends to watch them in the separate room or bathroom while you look for a sober ride for them. Try not to attract too much attention to events like this.
Decorate the party! There is not much a guest can do about this, except bringing some decor or music as a party gift. The host should make sure their home is neat, clean, and properly decorated for a party. Music is always good to play at a party. Lighting should be bright enough for everyone to see yet not to bright to hurt people's eyes.

No matter what you'll be doing or where you'll be on New Year's Eve, make sure to have fun and be safe.