Everyone gets all stressed out about having the perfect New Year’s. Will there be someone to kiss at midnight? Will the party be cool enough? Realistically, it’s just another night. Still, the notion that you are being left behind is a powerful one. So, what are some things you can do?

10. Hit the town.

Boston has First Night, New York has the Times Square mania. If you live near an urban center, chances are there’s a family-friendly city-wide New Year’s Eve do full of fireworks and ice sculptures and whatnot. Just dress warm–it’s a lot of hours walking around in the cold.

9. See a show.

Entertainers love to do special shindigs for NYE, often complete with a little New Year’s-themed bits. One year I did the special Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind show in Chicago and they did free champagne for the audience at midnight. One year I saw Aerosmith at the Boston Garden (dating myself, I know), and they had Baby New Year lowered from the ceiling onto the stage in a motorcycle. Check your local listings/Craigslist for last minute tickets.

8. Accept a random invitation.

Some of the most fun I’ve had on New Year’s Eve have been at parties with people I barely knew, if at all. Start off the year making new friends. You never know what’s around the corner, and New Year’s is a good night to be brave. Extra credit: blind date.

7. Singles Party.

Everyone’s looking for that midnight kiss anyhow. Why not up your chances if you’re flying solo this year at a dating mixer aimed at the matchmaking crowd?

6. Get out of Dodge.

Not into the parties this year? Honey, I’ve been there. Pack up the car or get a last-minute flight out of town. Grab the gfs and go to a spa, grab the bf and head to a B&B. It’s a long weekend after all. Go somewhere new.

5. Have a fancy dinner.

For some reason, my family likes to do lobster for New Year’s. But even if you’re not a shellfish person, you can splash out on something a little fancy to eat. This is good if you’re a family/couple/on a budget and aren’t in the position to spend tons of $$ or time to go out, but still want to make things a little special.

4. Volunteer.

People often volunteer at soup kitchens on Christmas and Thanksgiving. There have to be some places that could use some help on New Year’s. Even if it’s not New Year’s Eve, they’ll need you New Year’s Day.

3. Shell out for one of the signature New Year’s parties.

Yes, places jack up the prices for New Year’s, often for the same stuff you get the rest of the year. But it’s worth trying once, no? Dinner at a restaurant? A club? Why not?

2. Have sex.

For the mere price of a condom, you can ring your bell while the ball drops. Plus, you’ll get applause and a song when you’re done (presuming you’ve got the TV on in the background).

1. Ignore it.

No one says you HAVE to succumb to the hype. It IS just another night after all. Put on a movie, go to bed early. The world will be the same tomorrow.