THE PROS

Built in excitement
Everywhere you turn, someone or some place is hosting a party. Often, great price deals are available for complete packages which include your meal, beverages, entertainment, transporation, (room??) and party favors.

Built in conversation starters
Do you have any New Year's resolutions? What was last year like for you? What, if anything, would you do differently? Hey, look at that person! (They may be a bit inebriated, or just acting a bit childish or outlandish which happens quite often at this time of year). People, places or circumstances can offer a chance to relax, unwind and laugh at or with those around you.

The expectation of a kiss at midnight
Whereas, with most dates, you have to wonder what will happen during the last five minutes (which I call "The Showdown"), on New Year's Eve it is customary to kiss the person you are with at midnight. Depending how the previous few hours have progressed, that kiss can be obligatory, friendly or convey a bit more passion.

Everyone is a social butterfly
If only every day was New Year's Eve. Those you interact with while on your date will most likely be in an upbeat and friendly mood as they look to the future with hope and promise (or possibly the end of the holiday season!)

The anticipation of having a good time
Most dates are a crap shoot. Will you have fun or won't you? Will you be able to entertain each other? Will conversation flow? We "expect" to have a good time on NYE and that can and will have a profound impact on the attitude of those on the date.

THE CONS

Interacting with drunk people
Spillage...foul language...decreased inhibitions...too much visible skin, inappropriate PDA, cell phone privacy pollution, having nowhere to hide!

Drunk people driving cars
It can be a VERY wise idea to plan a first date that keeps you closer to home or ends at a location where you can both stay (separate or together) for the evening, safely, without having to drive later in the evening or early morning.

The expectation of a kiss at midnight
By midnight, you will know, quite clearly, whether or not you want to embrace or kiss the person you are with. If the date hasn't gone well, the strike of midnight might just resemble The Tell Tale Heart

The chance for disaster to occur
If the date does not go well and you don't "click" for some reason, you have just started off the year with less than a bang and used up the first (or last) major holiday of the year in less than fabulous fashion.

The date has to last until at least midnight
On any other night, if things aren't going well, you can cut your losses and call it a day, but on New Year's Eve, the expectation is that you will still be together after the bewitching hour (which may be an appropriate term depending on who you are with!)

WHAT ARE SOME FUN, UNIQUE FIRST DATE IDEAS FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE?

Behave like children
Play at an arcade - go bowling - shoot pool - go see The Rocky Horror Picture Show - when we act like children we revisit a time in our lives that was effortless, humorous and enjoyable.

Progressive dining
Plan to have drinks and appetizers at one location, have your dinner at a second place and plan to have dessert and a nightcap at yet another. The change of atmosphere can and will spark new conversation and levels of intimacy.

Firsts for your first
In other words, you each make a small list of things you have never done before, foods you have never tried, places you have never been and don't end the date until both of your lists have all been completed.

WHAT ARE SOME FIRST DATE IDEAS YOU SHOULD AVOID ON NEW YEAR'S EVE?

Tremendously expensive and overly formal restaurants
If one person "insists" on picking up the tab, real or perceived "expectation" can surface, plus, such formal and rigid surroundings can inhibit conversation and playfulness.

Any date that ends with the expectation of you staying overnight together in the same room
While this may occur naturally depending on how the date progresses, you should ALWAYS book two rooms in case the chemistry is just not there or one or both people have personal standards that they live by which dictate separate quarters.

Family showcases
If you spend the evening primarily or completely with the other person's family or they with yours, it places them on display, can be awkward and uncomfortable and family members often confuse a date with Mr. Right Now with Mr. Right.

Any date that requires a ton of driving
For obvious reasons - drunk people - driving cars - either in a really good mood or depressed. All in all - stay as close to home as possible.

WHAT ARE SOME GOOD NEW YEAR'S EVE DATE IDEAS FOR COUPLES WHO ARE DATING CASUALLY (I.E. NOT SERIOUS ABOUT EACH OTHER YET)?

Plan a theme meal and evening
Pick a type of food you both enjoy and build a night around it. For instance, split the cost, prepare a complete Sicilian meal together as you watch the Godfather Trilogy, Goodfella's, A Bronx Tale, Casino...etc. Turn your table into Tuscany, play Italian music, get lost in the preparation, consummation of dinner and the relaxation afterward. The huge plus is that you avoid interacting with others who may have had a tad too much to drink.

WHAT ABOUT THE DATES TO AVOID?

A couple who is just "casually" dating should avoid ending up at a New Year's Eve gathering with a group of couples who are either much farther along or already committed because as the night goes on and midnight nears, those couples will be getting or preparing to be much more intimate than they may be comfortable being around.

WHAT ARE SOME GOOD NEW YEAR'S EVE DATE IDEAS FOR COUPLES WHO ARE IN AN EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP? WHAT ABOUT THE DATES TO AVOID?

Exclusive couples should use this opportunity to take a trip to somewhere where New Year's Eve is a HUGE deal (and they celebrate it right!) and take in all they can. Be it NY City, Las Vegas, Miami, Aspen, San Diego or Orlando (Pleasure Island), if they are exclusive, the travel gives them time to be together and they can become absorbed in the holiday, the city, and each other.

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