The Ultimate Love and Dating Guide for New Year
The concept of ending the past year and welcoming the new one is what makes New Year's Eve an enchanting event.
It’s a chance for couples to celebrate the beginning of yet another year together. Meanwhile, singles look forward to ending their single status, hoping for a new beginning in love with a kiss at midnight. But is there a possibility to discover something more than a mere New Year’s Eve kiss? Indeed, there is. Wishing to 'fall in love' is among the top New Year's resolutions.
Although it's easy to say, it requires a bit of effort. Fortunately, this goal is not just a fantasy—it's an exciting challenge. So, step into the dating world and read this essential guide on love and dating for a New Year filled with romantic adventures.
Finding Romance Before the Ball Drops
Wanting to connect and cuddle with someone for the holidays is natural and universal. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the fireworks with someone special? To kiss your significant other once the clock strikes twelve? To sway and sing-along to Auld Lang Syne with your beloved?
If you spent the latter half of the year as a single man or woman, don’t fear. There’s ample time to look for that one person who will be with you right before the ball drops. Check out these tips to start the search:
- Calling all the wingmen
For all the times you complained about your being single, there were relatives, colleagues, and friends who told you they'd set you up with someone. You probably accepted some and declined the rest thinking they won't get your type. But what if they do?
These people who’re willing to play Cupid may know some things you have yet to discover about yourself. So before the year ends, try to see if the offer (or offers) are still open. Let them be your wingmen or women and allow yourself to meet people outside of your “ideal type.” Who knows, right?
- Enter the online dating jungle
Now’s the opportune time to give online dating a go. Thanks to the Internet, the world has become a smaller place; you don’t have to travel far and wide if it’s a romantic connection you seek.
Discovering the right dating site for you has never been easier! Popular dating platforms like Zoosk and eHarmony are the top choices for establishing romantic relationships and friendships. Whereas, casual dating sites like AdultFriendFinder and affair sites like Ashley Madison are worth exploring if you're up for casual and sex encounters.
There are dating sites available that cater to specific partner preferences, age groups, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and religions. For example, Bicupid is bisexuals' favourite. Others can date younger singles on SugarDaddyMeet or 50+ singles on SilverSingles. The choices are truly endless!
- Say yes!
The year is coming to a close! Do all the things you've always been curious about, even if it's out of your comfort zone.
Although there’s nothing wrong with routine or being comfortable, a new environment and activity may lead you to grow even more confident. Plus, they say love finds you in the most unexpected places—the man or woman you’ll spend the New Year with maybe a new location or event away.
Did you give our tips a try and successfully landed a New Year’s Eve date? Perfect! Now, do you have plans for your first date?
First Date Ideas Before the Clock Hits Twelve
One of the most nerve-wracking and defining events will be your first date. This first meeting will be the decision-making moment that will tell if the online spark translates well offline.
For singles looking to find romance before the year ends, a date days before the New Year's Eve is helpful and practical. As it eliminates the initial awkwardness by letting you bond, you're both sure the other person is someone you'll be comfortable to start the New Year, and hopefully, the rest of it, with.
For your first date, you may have thought of grabbing some dinner or catching a movie. But fully knowing that you will be hanging out on the remaining days of the year, won’t you want to spend time creatively? Give these unique date ideas a try:
- Visit museums or galleries
Museums and galleries may be a tad touristy, but it’s a beautiful and rather refreshing place to start a first date. You may appreciate art, history, or the natural sciences, or head over to the “weirder” ones for a fascinating time.
- Show off your favourite haunts
They say it’s easier to understand someone when they’re in their element and happy place. For your first date, why don’t you try bringing each other to the spots you feel the most at peace? Your date will get a glimpse of your passion and interest, and vice versa, making for a date that’s memorable and enjoyable.
- Enjoy a sustainable date
For a unique date, plan a course that doesn’t rely much on technology. Rent or bring along your bicycle and make your way around the city’s most picturesque places. Drop by an organic restaurant and get to talking.
- Go shopping
Shop ‘til you drop for the first date but go for a little adventure instead of outlets and malls. Head over to flea markets, thrift shops, secondhand stores, vintage shops, or farmers markets whichever appeals to you.
- Watch the sunrise
This may not be for everybody, but if you and your date are early risers, then you can start the day together. Nothing’s more romantic than the thought of watching one of the last sunrises of the year with someone new.
You can be at the park, make a trip to a nearby beach, or even hike up a bit (if you’re both game) for this activity.
Also, once the sun has fully risen, how about getting to know each other more on a breakfast date?
Are you looking for more unique date inspirations? Check out these ideas and have a fun-filled time together.
Tips for a Smooth Date
A first date is notorious for making you nervous and incessantly worried. As if this is not enough, there's the pressure that comes with knowing that a successful date may mean you'll have someone special to celebrate the New Year with. It amplifies the nerves, but it's also the source of your excitement and anticipation.
To ensure a smooth-sailing and pleasant meeting, here are some tips you can carry out:
Make sure that your expectations of the date are realistic. It is undoubtedly impossible not to have any expectations for the first date, but often, it is your unmet expectations that make a date go sour.
If you’re done grounding your expectations, the next step is to make sure you have fun during the date. Go someplace where you’ll both let loose and enjoy spending time and getting to know each other. Be happy and quit trying to impress your date.
Lastly, be true to who you are. Sure, we all have ideal types, make him or her like you for your adorable quirks and jokes. You do you, boo!
Still a little nervous about your date? You may want to give these tips a quick read.
3, 2, 1 Happy New Year!
Dating on the days leading to New Year’s Eve is great, romantic even. Since it’s days apart, there’s still a sense of normalcy as you take off the pressures of the midnight kiss off your mind.
If your date went quite well, be bold and ask if they’d love to spend the New Year’s Eve with you. Unlike your fun and unique first date, maybe it's best to keep the second meet-up low-key. Don't worry about the traffic and logistics, and just let the magic and fireworks of New Year do the trick.
Try out some of these New Year’s Eve date ideas:
- Party with friends
A part of you may say, but isn’t it too early to meet each other’s friends? On any other given occasion, probably yes, but this is the New Year we’re talking about: celebrations are known for being raucous and booze-filled.
If you and your friends decided to throw a classic and loud NYE party, there’s a big chance they won’t mind an extra person.
Ask your friends first, then your date the next, to make sure there won’t be hitches.
On the actual party, take extra care to make sure your date does not feel left out. Let them have fun with your friends and acquaintances, but always find the time to gravitate back towards them.
That way, when the ball drops, there’s no doubt you’ll be kissing each other in the hopes of starting the New Year together.
- Dining with a view
Be on the lookout for a restaurant that’s either located at a high vantage point or somewhere with a clear view of the skies. Next, check if they’re willing to accommodate patrons right until the ball drops. If they do, you’ll have to reserve a table for dinner immediately.
Spend the New Year’s Eve enjoying sumptuous meals, delectable drinks, fantastic and unobstructed view of the fireworks, and the sweetest midnight kiss.
- Head home
Nothing beats celebrating New Year’s Eve at home. If, for some reason, you and your date can’t be with the family for the momentous occasion, recreate the feeling at home.
Together, cook up or order dishes if you can’t be trusted in the kitchen. Make it a point to get food both of you consider customary for a New Year’s Eve feast.
You can enjoy a chill movie night, wait until midnight with some board games, or spend the time talking to get to know each other on a more in-depth basis.
When the clock strikes twelve, give each other a tender midnight kiss and settle down somewhere with a perfect view of the lights.
If it feels right, waking up to the first of January from a sexy night together sounds fantastic.
More than a New Year’s Kiss
There’s a frenzy leading up to the hours of the new year, and this tradition is partly to blame: the midnight kiss. On any given day, we couldn’t care less, so why is it important to lock lips with someone when the ball drops?
The tradition is founded on the belief that the kissers will be part of each other’s lives in the coming year. In real life, these smooches turn into one-time things—we don’t see the other person ever again.
But, if you play your cards right, this date may be more than a midnight kiss. So, what are the cards you’ll have to throw?
- Let go of all the ghosts and breadcrumbs
If you want this holiday date to work, you’ll have to say goodbye to all the ghosts and breadcrumbs of the past year. And this time, you’ll have to mean it.
Apart from the fact that your blossoming romance will require your undivided attention, these past encounters will only weigh you down. Give yourself a clean break and completely let go of the what if’s.
- Know what you want
Before you define the relationship (a.k.a the talk), you should know you want out of it first. Are you dating with the prospect of having a committed relationship? In search of something much more sensual? Or did you just really wanted to have someone for a midnight kiss?
Knowing the exact outcome you want will help search faster. You get to zero in on the people who share the same goals and interests as you.
- Communicate, communicate, communicate
It’s cliche, but communication is essential in every budding relationship.
You’re basically two people who recently connected, and the only way to take it further is when you’re both open to each other.
For starters, be frank and lay down what you expect out of the date.
If they’re on the same boat, congratulations! Then, make sure you always keep an open line from there.
- Take baby steps together
Just because you’re on the same page doesn’t mean it’s OK to rush things. You’re still trying to get to know each other better and match each other’s pace. Take the relationship one baby step at a time, together.
- Live for the present
Sure, it’s fun and lovely to imagine you’ll still be each other’s midnight kiss two to three years forward. However, know that a lot of things will happen in between.
It’s not wrong to wonder what the future may bring, but always remember you have a life to live and lead now. So, don’t linger in the future and enjoy the understanding and relationship you have at present.
Dating is beautiful and promising, but it requires effort. By putting in some time and energy to make things work, your midnight kiss maybe the best start to a good year.
New Year’s Eve Date Ideas for Couples
For the couples who stuck together throughout the year, a New Year’s Eve kiss may be such a no-brainer. So if you’re on the lookout for creative and memorable dates for the year-end, here are some ideas:
- Tick off what remains of your bucket list
Revisit your bucket list to know which activities remain unfulfilled. If it’s feasible, go ahead and do it as a fun New Year’s Eve date.
Sharing your interest with a lover will lead to better and open communication between the two of you. By letting them take a peek and participate in your interests, they see another side to you. And who knows, maybe this bucket list activity becomes your new hobby or a new holiday tradition you can both look forward to.
- Create a couple New Year’s resolution
There’s no better time to evaluate the past months than New Year’s Eve. Now that you’re about to enter a new phase, you can both take a look back and identify specific aspects that you can improve to spice up your relationship.
While enjoying some time out in a cafe, create your couple’s New Year resolution. This will ideally guide you to strengthen your relationship for the years to come.
- Take a trip down memory lane
We often forget that the New Year’s Eve is meant to wrap up the past year nicely, too.
For couples, the closing year may have been a roller coaster ride, and that makes it even more worth reminiscing.
Before welcoming a new phase, round up what each of you considers the year’s highlight—a date, an event, or a shared activity.
Revisit and recreate these moments; relive the happiness and contentment you felt together.
Conclusion
The New Year's Eve is so romantic in the sense that it signifies the end of the year and the beginning of another. For singles, this is an opportune time to bid the past year goodbye and welcome the new with someone by your side.
The search for that magical New Year’s Eve date is a thrilling experience. You get to open up yourself and meet more people on the last stretch of the year. Year-end parties and mixers present a perfect opportunity to get your head in the flirting game.
If you want a good head start, online dating platforms lets you network with a bigger crowd in just one sign-up. So, no more excuses! Start the year right with someone by your side.
Happy New Year!
Founder of Datingscout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"