It’s no secret that New Year’s Eve is one of the hardest nights of the year for Singles who are alone and still haven’t found their person. All the anticipation, the dressing up, the festivities, the champagne… And the countdown! If you have no one to kiss at the stroke of midnight, it can be intimidating to be with groups of friends who do that special someone.

But New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be a total downer, and it certainly does not get to define your worth or your future. With a little intention and planning, you can turn the night into something meaningful, fun, or at the very least, manageable. 

Here are five tried-and-true New Year’s Eve strategies for singles to help you make the most of it!

1. Skip the BIG Events and Keep it Close

Large parties are great, but not for singles on New Year’s Eve. Not when you’re already feeling lonely, and everyone else is trying to find someone to kiss when the clock strikes midnight. If you must attend a large party or event, go with a solid group of close friends who will stay together rather than trying to pair off. Otherwise, the night can feel more isolating than celebratory. Being with people who know you and genuinely care about you creates a sense of connection that matters far more than the size of the event.

My best New Year’s Eves were with a group of friends in their home or one-on-one with a bestie. And it wasn’t always exclusively singles. Even staying in with my coupled-friends was still fun because we understood each other, had friends in common, and even sometimes got to meet new people. This became an annual tradition with one of my friend groups for 8 years!

2. Host a New Year’s Eve Event Yourself!

Take the lead and organize a party for your friends. It doesn’t have to be fancy (unless you want it to be). Some ideas for fun New Year’s Eve events include: Game Night (board, digital, or casino), Wine & Cheese party, Dinner & a Movie Night, Karaoke Night, Murder Mystery/Escape the Room party, and the list goes on. 

By taking the lead, you get to choose who you want to share New Year’s Eve with instead of being alone. Encourage friends to bring opposite-sex single friends (not dates) to widen the social circle. One of the top ways to meet people is through your friends! If you’re able to do it in your home, you’ll deepen your relationships by inviting others in. You can even ask that someone special you’ve had your eye on! I’ve seen romance blossom from this strategy more than once!

3. “Hobbify” Your New Year’s Eve!

Consider building your New Year’s Eve around something you love or are genuinely interested in. An interest-based New Year’s Eve can be a solitary event, but it can also be a great way to get together 1 or 10 single friends and do something everyone can enjoy. And having fun tasks or activities takes the pressure off the night and creates easy, natural conversation

This could look like a Crafting Night, or a Blind Book Date Night- where each person wraps a favorite book and exchanges it with someone else. Maybe it’s a cooking/baking night, a puzzle competition, or even a group fitness or dance class followed by a casual late dinner. 

If your interests lean more philanthropic, giving back through a community or volunteer effort can be both social and deeply fulfilling. If an organization you might normally consider or support is closed that day/evening, create your own meaningful event, like packing meals for those with food insecurity or care packages for first responders/military. Or maybe it’s a community clean-up project followed by dinner. You could visit a Senior Living community and spend time with those who are truly lonely. Regardless, interest-led events are a great way to ring in the new year, especially for singles who would prefer to actually do something rather than mingle.

4. Get Away!

Going on a trip with a singles group to somewhere exciting or fun is a great Get Out of Dodge strategy! Do something you love and travel with a group of people in a similar situation. You will expand your social network and could be counting down the year in a cozy ski lodge or a fun Calypso bar in a Caribbean destination!

5. Refresh Your Online Dating Profile

I know this doesn’t seem like a great New Year’s Eve “event”; however, one of the most overlooked opportunities for those alone on New Year’ is what comes after the ball drops. The first Sunday of the new year is one of the busiest online dating days of the entire year! Are you prepared? 

Many singles wait until they feel “ready” to date again. Successful daters prepare instead. Instead of scrolling or spiraling, consider using the quiet days around New Year’s to update your dating profile. Rewrite your bio to clearly communicate your relationship values, what matters to you, and that you’re dating with purpose. Refresh your photos so they reflect who you are now, not who you were five years ago. Consider hiring an online dating profile photographer to help you put your best foot forward. This small but intentional step gets you ready for the online dating blitz, rather than reacting to it, while communicating to others, “I’m open, I’m intentional, and I’m giving this year a real chance.”

It’s Just One Night of the Year!

New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be the party of the year. You can treat it like any other holiday night, whether that’s with friends or on your own. Don’t overthink it- being single on New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be a big deal. Simply do what you love, with people you already love, and have fun! The key is not to dwell on your single status too much and just enjoy yourself!

I hope I have given you some New Year’s Eve strategies that you and your single friends can implement ASAP! Before you know it, it will be a New Year with New Possibilities! Be open to meeting new people and expanding your social network. And make sure you’re ready to be online the Sunday after New Year’s Eve.

If you’re still unsure what to do next, let’s talk. Go tohttps://motivatedtomarry.com/connect-with-coach-amy/ and book your complimentary Meet Your Mate Strategy session today to learn more about how my proven dating process has helped hundreds of seriously searching singles find true love. This coaching program will be life-changing for you!  

For more great tips on how to get yourself ready for a new love interest, grab my FREE “5 Signs Your Ready for Love” Tip Sheet today!

About the Author

Coach Amy

is a certified life coach and dating/relationship expert who has helped hundreds of marriage-minded singles find lasting, committed partnerships since 2005. Through private coaching and group programs, she specializes in helping people date with clarity, confidence, and purpose.