The 12 Best New Year’s Eve Date Ideas

New Year’s Eve can be one of the most stressful events to plan a date for. There’s so much riding on the night being an epic way to usher in the New Year, but sometimes it all falls apart at the last minute. The key to success? You gotta have a plan. I’m bringing you 12 of the best New Year’s Eve date ideas that are guaranteed to get 2016 off to the most romantic start possible.

Honestly, I haven't had the best of luck with New Year’s Eve in the past. Regardless of what my plans are, it never ends up to be the magical evening I wish it would be. Someone ends up bailing, plans are never made, and eating ice cream in bed watching the ball drop has happened once or twice (although depending on who you ask, that might be the ideal way to start a new year). At one point I realized, no one’s going to make my New Year’s Eve kick ass unless I do for myself.

No one wants to sit around staring at each other going “I don’t know what I wanna do, do you?” It’s going to be a boring time if you do that. Instead, give any one of these New Year’s Eve date ideas a try this year. They are all 100 percent guaranteed to get you that midnight smooch you’ve been waiting for.

1. Go on a mini overnight vacation

Whether you’re going to another city, or heading downtown to a swanky hotel for a night, getting away can be one of the best ways to spend a night ringing in the new year. Quality time wins every time.

2. Go radio silent

Turn everything off. That means TVs, phones, and every other tech device you check on the reg. Go radio silent, and spend the whole night enjoying each other’s company while you make a quiet dinner, or cuddle by the fire. Turn the lights down, and have a little music in the background — that’s a romantic night you’ll never forget.

3. Host a potluck

Make it a group date! Grab a few friends from both of your friend circles to say farewell to 2015. Stock up on the wine, and assign dishes to everyone who’s coming. Not only will you have a great night with your friends, melding the friend circles will bring you two closer together, just in time for the New Year.

4. Make dinner together

Take the night to cook your favorite foods, and enjoy a candlelit meal together. Break out the bottle of wine, get a roaring fire going, and, well you know where this is going…

5. Spend the night playing games

Why not act like a kid on New Year’s Eve? Play some board games, and plan your New Year’s resolutions together

6. Take a trip down memory lane

Have dinner at the restaurant you went to on your first date, walk by the bench where you had your first kiss, or just go through photo albums. There’s no better time to reminisce than New Year’s Eve.

7. Do a 2015 wine tasting

Host a wine tasting for friends and family, or just the two of you. Taste wines from the year 2015, and pick some faves to try in 2016. Don’t forget the cheese plate!

8. Go bowling

Cosmic bowling and champagne on New Year’s Eve? GAME ON.

9. Plan a picnic for sunset

Head to the park with your cozy blanket and picnic basket to enjoy some quality time together. If your neck of the woods is too cold, try out a living room picnic, with extra candles.

10. Go ice-skating

Imagine this… light snow fall, skating around outside in the dark with festive lights, sipping on spiked hot chocolate. Most romantic New Year’s Eve date ever? Oh yeah, definitely.

11. Take a road trip

If you have some time off work, get lost in the country somewhere on a road trip. Find a secluded B&B in the mountains, and spend a few days welcoming 2016 with love.

12. Find fireworks

Fireworks don’t have to come only on the 4th of July! Check out a theme park, see what your neighborhood has planned, or light up some of your own sparklers for a festive countdown to the New Year.

Looking for more holiday cheer? Check out Bustle on YouTube.

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