It’s that time of year again – when we wonder how a whole year has passed us by so quickly and how we’re going to ring in a new one. New Year’s Eve begins with a lot of self-reflection and ends with celebration. Since the festivities are what we look forward to the most, here are a few suggestions for enjoying that part of New Year’s Eve:

Idea #1: Club/Lounge

If you aren’t in the mood to stay home and want to party with other exuberantly loud and possibly drunk party-goers, there are many New Year’s Eve parties at clubs and lounges happening all around the city – just take your pick. Be prepared to pay cover fees anywhere from $50-$100 which does not include alcohol—a staple on this momentous night.

Idea #2: House Party

If you want the club atmosphere without the expensive cover fees and drinks, a house party is the perfect option. Find a way to get invited to a house party or better yet, throw your own party and make it a BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything) affair if you are low on cash.

Idea #3: Weekend away/Road Trip

If you want a change of scenery and have a little money to burn, why not take a road trip for the weekend. Possible destinations include Montreal (great party scene), New York (there’s always something fun to do there, especially around this time of the year), Niagara (gambler’s paradise) and Collingwood (for some skiing and snowboarding at Blue Mountain).

Idea #4: Dinner & Dance

A more “adult” version of idea #1, where the venue is often a hotel or banquet hall. They usually have great food, good music, and a decent crowd – NOT a cheap option however. You’re looking at $150 minimum for this kind of outing. Welcome to adulthood.

Idea #5: A Night In

This is probably the most attractive for me. A night of movies, games (Scrabble, Taboo, & poker just to name a few), eating some take-out food, and watching New Year’s Eve specials on TV with friends and loved ones sounds like a great time.

Idea #6: Going to a Place of Worship

It’s a bit unconventional and probably not at the top of everyone’s list, but quite a number of people participate in this practice every year. Whether it’s a temple, mosque, or church, if you want to start off the new year closer to your spiritual side, this suggestion is definitely for you.

Idea #7: Quiet Night Out with Friends/Family

Why not book some tables for you and a few close friends or your family at your favorite mom-and-pop restaurant or local bar? You’ll be supporting the local economy, while enjoying some quality time with the people that you care about most, without straining your wallet.

I hope these suggestions help you narrow down your options for New Year’s Eve. Whatever you decide to do, please remember to NOT drink and drive – it’s not cool and you are risking the lives of others when you make this choice.

I would love to hear from you about what you plan on doing for New Year’s Eve, especially if it’s not on my list, so give me a shout!

Written by: Aravinthan Ehamparam, tweet me @AraEntrepreneur