What's the significance of a New Year's Eve date?

December 30, 2007 7:12 PM

What's the significance of having a New Year's Eve date? Is it really the Big Deal I've been lead to believe it is, or is it more of a convenience come time for the midnight kiss?

I'm without a date (again) this year, and I'd like to know if it really is that significant to have a date on New Year's Eve. I can remember a few years ago when I did have a date (it was a third date with one particular guy) most people said it was a Big Deal. Now that I'm without one, I'm wondering where this Big Deal Date idea came from...

posted by MeetMegan to human relations (25 comments total)

In my opinion it's not that big a deal. Of course there is the convenience factor, but really, I don't think it's a big deal to either have or not have a date on New Year's Eve. It's not that different from any other party.
posted by number9dream at 7:19 PM on December 30, 2007

Because it's one of those occasions where even people who don't go out, don't go to parties and don't celebrate things do so. It's only seen as a big deal because it's the one night of the year that it's commonly accepted that most folks DO something.

No biggie. I don't think I've ever had a date on NYE and I couldn't care less.
posted by tristeza at 7:32 PM on December 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

I think it's seen as a big deal, in part, because it's a time of reflection about where you're at and where you're going. Most people figure that being in a relationship, all things being equal, is preferable to not being in one, so it tends to feel extra sad for those folks to be single at New Year's. If you don't understand why it would feel bad, then you've got nothing to worry about.
posted by moxiedoll at 7:37 PM on December 30, 2007

meh, it's a big deal if you make it one...you can meet the love of your life that night too!
posted by Salvatorparadise at 7:46 PM on December 30, 2007

It's only significant if it's significant to you. I've never had a New Year's Eve date, even during years when I've been in a relationship (like this year). It's never been a huge holiday for me and I've generally spent it at home, or talking with a friend.
posted by cmgonzalez at 7:58 PM on December 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

It's not a big deal. I suspect it's one of those things where the perception has been formed by those who make the most noise about finding it important, while those who are happy without dates simply aren't saying as much about it. There are plenty of people who fall into the latter category who are having a great time on New Year's Eve (including myself, before I was married).
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:13 PM on December 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

As it turns out, very few things in life are as big of a deal as 75% of the populace lets on.

There are only a handful, and having a date on NYE doesn't even come close to qualifying as a "big deal".

Go out with friends, have a drink, shout "WOOOOO" at midnight, kiss a stranger if you feel so inclined, and look forward to a new year full of opportunity.
posted by Ynoxas at 8:20 PM on December 30, 2007 [3 favorites]

I agree that you shouldn't make it a big deal if you don't care, but I think it's been built up as one because the ringing in of the New Year tends to be a time when people review the previous year and plan for the next, and sharing it with someone tends to make that relationship seem more important than it may be at that point -- and those who are sad if they're alone and desire to "couple up" worry that they may be lonely for the next 365 days as well.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:24 PM on December 30, 2007

yeah, don't let it prevent you from going out. Coupled people sometimes like to loudly "feel sad for" a single friend, which I find as a sort of weird passive-agressive thing. Truth is, there are usually quite a few single folks at a New Year's Eve party and it is a great excuse to kiss a cutie or two or three. For whatever its worth, your coupled friends are probably going to be kissing only one person at midnight.
posted by Cranialtorque at 8:54 PM on December 30, 2007 [2 favorites]

This is one of those things that varies. You can't say for sure, circumstances dictate too much to say for sure.
posted by Ironmouth at 9:03 PM on December 30, 2007

when I was single I always thought a New Years Eve party was the perfect hook up night - for one - any person there alone has about a 70-80% chance of being single and two, they probably don't want to be alone at midnight.
posted by any major dude at 9:59 PM on December 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

Depends on your circle. The more formal, less drunk, and more people who do have dates, the bigger deal it'll be. The less formal, more drunk, & more single the event is, the better the chances that not only will you not stand out, it won't matter, and may well work in your favor.
posted by devilsbrigade at 10:25 PM on December 30, 2007

Huh, the social circles I've hung out in have never had expectations either way on the New Year's Eve date.

Now Valentines day......
posted by tkolar at 10:28 PM on December 30, 2007

To phrase it a little differently, I think that New Year's Eve is one of the few times every year when almost the whole world is observing a day of celebration. It's hard to sit at home by yourself when you know that everyone else is out there, having a good time (or more likely, pretending to but wishing they were at home). It's like being home by yourself on Christmas or Thanksgiving even if you don't observe either, you kinda feel an emptiness. If I wasn't with someone, I know it would be hard for me to be alone on such an occasion.

See if you can't find yourself an invite to a party or something. It should be a snap for a girl to crash a party. Even if you go for an hour and then decide it's lame and go home, you'll feel like you did something.
posted by ninjew at 11:48 PM on December 30, 2007

This year would have been my first non-family related New Years party, but alas, circumstances bring me back home one more year. Of course i'd rather be at a party with other single people, but it's not the end of the world.

If anywhere, the idea came from the movies, because it makes for a great moment.
posted by Derek at 12:27 AM on December 31, 2007

If you can get a date, do so and make it a big deal, because that way it will be more fun. If not, don't worry about it at all.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 12:47 AM on December 31, 2007

Man I don't believe nobody has mentioned the old superstition, "you will end the year with the person you begin it with." I think that only applies if you're in a situation where it makes sense, though. If it's just a date it's not a big deal, but expect questions and maybe a little "ooOOOoooh!"
posted by rhizome at 1:04 AM on December 31, 2007

The Big Deal:

If you bring someone somewhere, on a date, you are signifying that they're your Person that you've chosen to accompany you on an Important Occasion. Like if you took someone to a wedding, only less so.

If you don't have a date, though, it is not a big deal.
posted by blacklite at 1:52 AM on December 31, 2007

I think it's only seen as a big deal because everyone is running around saying, "Oh my gosh, it's such a big deal!"

I've been both single and coupled on New Year's, and I've noticed the amount of fun I have is less connected with who I'm dating and more connected with what I'm doing (or drinking) that night.
posted by christinetheslp at 3:40 AM on December 31, 2007

It's a big deal if you've got a great date and doing something fun. It's NOT a big deal if you've got a lousy date, 'cause then nothing is fun and it's better off being alone.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:09 AM on December 31, 2007

nothing. i think nye is a bogus "holiday" -- too much emphasis on something with no real payoff. just consider it another fun night.
posted by sdn at 6:59 AM on December 31, 2007

blacklite says it perfectly. If you make a date for New Year's Eve, it's pretty much impossible to avoid it seeming significant; if you don't, it's no big deal.
posted by languagehat at 7:01 AM on December 31, 2007

What rhizome said! For this reason, when I was younger, and going to be apart from my boyfriend for NYE, I would ask for a New Year's Eve kiss in advance. Ah youth.
posted by unknowncommand at 7:15 AM on December 31, 2007

I know my question wasn't entirely clear, but the answer I was looking for is what rhizome and Blacklight said. Thanks for all the feedback!
posted by MeetMegan at 10:28 AM on December 31, 2007

Man I don't believe nobody has mentioned the old superstition, "you will end the year with the person you begin it with." I think that only applies if you're in a situation where it makes sense, though. If it's just a date it's not a big deal, but expect questions and maybe a little "ooOOOoooh!"
posted by rhizome at 1:04 AM on December 31

I've always known this one as "If you share a kiss when the new year comes, you won't be alone the coming year." Basically the same thing, the belief that being with someone on the new year means you won't spend the next year single.
posted by Stilus at 5:00 PM on December 31, 2007