December 31 and the New Year comes with partying and high expectations. Here’s how to make sure this is your best New Year’s Eve ever—no matter how or where you spend it!

Make plans early.
Scrambling to make New Year’s Eve plans the day of is never fun. Skip the stress by deciding where you’ll ring in 2010 well before Christmas. If your friends haven’t made up their minds, take charge and give them two or three options to choose from, but let them know you’d like to nail things down ASAP.

Host a potluck dinner.
Getting a reservation can be tricky to begin with, and restaurants tend to jack up their prices on New Year’s Eve. Instead of the expense and added stress, host a casual dinner party at home and ask each of your friends to bring a favorite dish.

Know your transportation.
We hate to sound like your mom, but this point is too important not to reiterate. If cabs aren’t an option, make sure to choose a responsible designated driver. Better yet, find a place to stay that doesn’t involve getting on the road.

Lower your expectations.
Buying into all the hype that comes with New Year’s (OMG, this is going to best the night ever!) can set you up for disappointment, no matter how much fun you really do end up having. By all means, go into the evening with the hopes that you’ll have a good time, but allow yourself to be OK with an average night, too.

Send Happy New Year’s wishes.
It may seem kind of hokey, but taking a few minutes on December 31 to send out a quick “Happy New Year!” note to your Facebook circle or phonebook list is totally worth it: When a slew of cheery texts, e-mails and voice mails start coming your way at Cinderella hour, you’ll be happy you did.

Glam up with a new beauty treat.
Who needs fireworks or a fancy party to go to? A sexy new lipstick or sparkly eye makeup look can turn a night into something spectacular.

Pack an emergency kit in your purse.
No, we’re not talking about Band-Aids and Neosporin tubes. To make sure your head-to-toe party-hopping look stays put, tuck a few safety pins, bobby pins, and lip and hand moisturizers in your bag.

Go for a sparkly top.
Instead of blowing your budget on a wear-once party dress, why not say sayonara to 2009 in a sparkly top or blouse? Slip it on over your favorite black mini and you’ll be 10 times comfier than in a tight ‘n’ tiny dress—plus, you’ll have that “I’m a smart shopper” glow knowing that you’ll be able to wear your new outfit a dozen more times in 2010.

Leave your brand-new party heels at home.
New Year’s Eve is not the night to break in a new pair of shoes: With all the bar-hopping, dance partying and fruitless taxicab searching you’ll do, you need a comfy pair of shoes to make it through the night pain-free. If you can’t resist showing off the pair of sky-high heels you bought as a gift to yourself, just make sure to tuck a pair of flats in your bag.

Eat something!
Spending January 1 in hangover hell is not the most fun way to start off the New Year. So if you know the bubbly will be flowing all night, plan accordingly. Eating a hearty meal like a burger will actually help slow the absorption of alcohol.

Drink water.
Dehydration is one of main causes of hangovers. Doctors recommend two glasses of H2O before you even leave the house.

Keep the party going into the morning.
Set up fun brunch plans for New Year’s Day. That way, even if the countdown the night before was a 7.5 on the disappointment scale, you’ve got something fun to look forward to. Kicking off 2010 with a big plate of waffles sounds like a good way to start the year.