O, that evil, conniving New Year’s Eve. Long maligned as the most overrated holiday, it nonetheless manipulates seemingly rational people into making too many plans, spending beyond their means, and creating unreasonable expectations—year after year.

This December, the wiles of New Year’s Eve are being compounded by another equally persistent social force: Recessionists. Motivated by the emotional roller coaster that was 2008—from the election to the Subprime Mortgage Crisis to gas prices to Sarah Palin to, um, the Recession—these folks are pushing a New Year’s Eve agenda of extremes: either a) forget about New Year’s Eve and maybe you’ll forget 2008, too, or b) blow it out like there’s no tomorrow. (“Let’s Party Like it’s 1929” is a phrase so over-headlined, there’s a movement afoot to retire it.)

We’ve been through a lot this year, people. We need catharsis. Inspiration. A break. And - dare I say? - a drink! We deserve it. And just in the nick of time, a little thing called New Year’s Eve has come along to give us what we need.

So, this year, I am proposing something in between your run-of-the-mill, overrated 12/31, and that really sad, Armageddon Recessionist version: take advantage of it. Do what you will, but do something that is meaningful to you. Because, remember on Election Night, when everyone was saying, “This is a really big deal, right?” Well, it was. And just like Election Night, the passage of this year – this crazy, tragic, awe-inspiring 2008 – is a big deal. It merits celebration.

Here are some suggestions on making this New Year’s Eve one you’ll never forget:

1. Be yourself. If that means being BY yourself, singing Supremes hits into your hairbrush, so be it. If you want nothing more than to sit on a friend’s couch and watch Dick Clark, although you’ll have to settle for Ryan Seacrest, just do it. Find a rave. Kiss a stranger at midnight. Or kiss your dog at 9:00a and call it a night. But make it a uniquely YOU celebration, because even if this was your worst year ever, it needs to be acknowledged and put behind you.
2. Take matters into your own hands. If you put yourself into a New Year’s Eve situation that you can’t control – a friend’s house, a party, a restaurant – you can’t expect that person or place to deliver your perfect New Year’s Eve. So, make sure to deliver it to yourself. If a glass (or five) of bubbly is what you crave, bring that delicious bottle of Dom you’ve been saving. If you want to shake your moneymaker, offer the host your iPod. And if you want to play poker ‘til dawn, don’t let someone drag you to a karaoke party. Take control of your destiny.
3. Alleviate dress stress. The general rule of thumb is to wear something sparkly (or “sparkly” to you), and you’ll fit right in. But don’t take it from me; take some NYE fashion tips from an expert, like Jennifer Romolini from Yahoo’s Shine.
4. Reach out. New Year’s Eve is a night to connect. Even if you choose to pass the night on your own, elevate it above arbitrary by getting in touch with those important to you. Call your grandma, text your college roommate at midnight, or send your crush a groovy e-card.

And if you’re with friends or family…

5. …Give ‘em what they want. Since we’ve agreed that this year was a bear, we can also agree that everyone could use a little TLC on this night—so, make that your evening’s mission. Be forthcoming with compliments, healthy thanks, heartfelt comments, shout-outs, smiles, and smooches. You will get back what you give tenfold. And you need it as much as they do.

So, in conclusion (of this year and of this blog), do it up this New Year’s Eve. Make it your resolution to do something meaningful. Give New Year’s Eve its due; because this year, whether you gained or lost, you earned it.