Before you head out on NYE with your besties, your most sequined dress, heels and all the worst intentions, do like mom said and make sure you have everything you need before you walk out the door.

We know. You didn’t. It’s okay. We probably wouldn’t either if we hadn’t heard all the worst horror stories from girls who left the house before they had all their last minute necessities.

So, knowing what a hassle it can be to realize you’ve forgotten something after you’re out, we put together a last minute checklist so that you can sip champagne all night long without a care in the world!

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New Year’s Eve…you either love it or hate it.  True, it doesn’t usually live up to expectation, there’s never been a year that everyone makes it to midnight, and you don’t always have someone to kiss.  But there is champagne…God, is there champagne.  But despite all the inherit glitz and glam that comes with ringing in January 1^st, there are still those few annoying people who manage to ruin your night…

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Thank. God. For. Champagne.

[This post was originally written by Alex - University of South Carolina]

If you think your NYE outfit, alcohol supply and approximate cab fare combine to cost a pretty penny, just be glad you aren’t greeting 2012 from a nightclub in Vegas. It might sound fun at first: there’s a ton of options, the venues are gorgeous, and you can simply walk back to your hotel room whenever you’re ready to change outfits in time for breakfast, right?

Newsflash: unless you’re being escorted by a high-roller who is getting everything comp’d by the hotel, partying in Vegas on the last night of the year is serious business — literally, as in you’ll be spending a lot of money and the Strip will love you for it. Hotel room rates skyrocket and nightclubs prefer you arrive before 9PM. Before 9PM! You’ll hope to maintain a smooth buzz from overpriced mixed drinks until midnight so that you can participate in a cheap champagne toast and a sloppy kiss, and then hate your choice of heels when you suddenly decide to leave. Oh, and you’ll probably end up sleeping on the floor because you decided to cram way too many friends into the same room in order to make the weekend just a little bit more affordable.

Nevertheless, I’m actually headed that way this weekend, and here are the celebrities hosting overrated NYE celebrations on the Strip this Saturday, complete with pricing information. Now doesn’t that just look like SO much fun??! Oh man, I just can’t WAIT to empty out my wallet to party for a few hours alongside in the general vicinity of these amazing gods and goddesses!

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Which of these celebrities will probably end up partying in a half-empty nightclub because their prices were so ridiculous?

Ashley is a UC San Diego grad who is holding on way too tightly to a potential career in magazines and goes to Vegas all too often. She’s fascinated with celebrities and strawberry beer and doubles as a pathological texter/emailer/blogger. Feed the addiction with tweets @cashleelee. Thanks in advance.

New Year’s Eve is seriously THE most overrated holiday of the year. Valentine’s Day is the day that all lazy boyfriends have to get up off their asses and remind their girlfriends why they should stick around, and Halloween is the night to dress up like someone else and make out with someone whose face you don’t ever really want to see. So why celebrate NYE?

People say it’s the end of a year and the beginning of another. Well thanks, Captain Obvious, excuse me while I go “celebrate” the end of one minute and the beginning of the next sixty seconds of my life! That justification only works in a game of Power Hour, and besides, we all know that NYE isn’t actually about a night at all; it’s about a ten-second countdown and how you think you’ll feel afterwards. And unless you hit the lottery when the clock strikes midnight, absolutely nothing will change in your life after you spend an entire night getting drunk and flirting with the person you’ll make out with later on. Take it from those who do it regularly: it’s fun, but it’s definitely not life-altering or magical like Harry and Sally portray it to be.

I think all our ideas about an ideal NYE are actually rooted from the media anyway. How many times have we watched Bridget Jones’ Diary and that NYE episode of The OC as a child and awaited the days when we could cover ourselves in too many sequins and kiss the loves of our life’s during the first few seconds of the New Year? How hard did we wish to be those people freezing their faces off in Times Square as they watched a giant light bulb drop a few feet – live- while we sat warm in our pajamas and saw the entire thing at a much closer view through our televisions?

Well, I’d say that true definition of NYE can also be found in the media too, like on MTV’s super exciting television special and in Garry Marshall’s latest box office name dropper: it’s completely overrated. Often it’s overhyped and a waste of money, and in a few years, you really won’t remember it anyway. “The One Night Anything Is Possible” is the most inappropriate tag line for that movie…have you ever tried to drive across town on NYE? It’s the everyday tasks that are actually IMpossible on the last day of the year!

Here’s the fact that everyone seems to forget once December 31st rolls around: it doesn’t matter how you start the year or end the year; these things have no reflection on the value of the year altogether. You know what went down during the other 364 days: all the amazing things that happened that didn’t involve wearing a exclamatory greeting on your headband or a bunch of numbers over your eyes. Times that didn’t involve counting down to anything because you were having the time of your life in the moment already. Drinks that were cheaper, weather that was warmer, and dresses that fit better than after a week of indulging in holiday meals prepared by the best chefs in the family. Seriously, who’s idea was that?!

So what’s the best way to not have an overrated NYE? Don’t take it so seriously. Realize that NYE doesn’t necessarily require overpriced cover charges, overpriced alcohol, overpriced outfits or overpriced hotel rooms. Hang out with people you actually stand rather than joining groups of acquaintances who can’t hold their liquor. And if you find yourself with no comment-worthy Facebook photos to upload afterwards, let it go, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, it’s only the beginning, right?

Here’s to a Happy New Year, everyone!

What are your NYE plans? Do you think they’ll actually pan out the way you initially planned them to?!?

Ashley is a UC San Diego grad who is holding on way too tightly to a potential career in magazines and goes to Vegas all too often. She’s fascinated with celebrities and strawberry beer and doubles as a pathological texter/emailer/blogger. Feed the addiction with tweets @cashleelee. Thanks in advance.

Let me just state the obvious to start off — New Year’s Eve is overrated. Everyone always gets stressed out and anxiety-ridden making plans and picking outfits for a holiday that is usually a let down anyway. With Hollywood setting up unrealistic expectations for what a New Year’s Eve kiss should really be like, we wake up on January 1^st with a hangover and blurry memories of a sloppy makeout session we had with a stranger.

So why not just stay home for a cozy night in? You’ll save tons of money that would either be spent on a ridiculously expensive cover charge or an overpriced little black dress. This New Year’s Eve, I will be staying in instead of walking around the bitterly cold streets of Chicago in a mini skirt and platforms, and I could not be happier about it. There are tons of ways to stay in and still have fun on New Year’s, and here are just a few.

 1. Stay in and eat!

Free food? I’m so in! Food is the ultimate way to get anyone to come to a party. So why not have a few friends over and have a chili cook-off or a cookie exchange? Chatting and eating with your friends is a great way to bond and spend the last night of year with the people you love. Not only are you getting to chow down on some amazing dishes, but you also get to stay in (yay!) and avoid the stresses of splitting a dinner bill between 10 people on an overpriced meal.

 2. Stay glued to the boob tube

Staying in on New Year’s Eve offers the opportunity to stay in sweatpants the whole night and curl up on the couch with your significant other or your BFF and have a movie marathon!  If you both love Julia Roberts, ring in 2012 by watching Pretty Woman and My Best Friend’s Wedding. Or if you’re both Friends fanatics, watch all the New Year’s Eve episodes and laugh in the New Year. It doesn’t really even matter what you’re watching. Sometimes there’s nothing better than being curled up on the couch in a pair of sweats.

3. Babysit!

A friend of mine is getting paid a ridiculous amount of money to babysit on New Year’s Eve, and I think she is brilliant for doing so. Instead of spending over $100 on a “party package” that gets you “unlimited drinks” (should that even be legal?) and some appetizers, she is making double that by putting a couple toddlers to bed at 8 PM and then having some quality alone time so she can study for her GMAT and maybe watch the Times Square ball drop on TV. Though some would probably die at the thought of spending New Year’s Eve alone, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it especially when you’re making a couple hundred bucks. Talk about a happy new year, am I right?

So when December 31^st rolls around and you’re still on the fence about what you want to do, think about taking a less traditional route of celebrating and stay in instead! Eat some food, watch some TV, and have a relaxing night at home. Avoid the madness that is New Year’s Eve or as my worry-wart of a father calls it: amateur night.

Katie is finishing up her undergrad at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She enjoys wasting hours on Facebook and tweeting things no one cares about. When asked the question, “Do you do marathons?” She promptly responds, “Of course! Which show?” Follow her @KatieGarrity!

10:00 am- Wake up, check your texts, shoot a few out to see if anyone knows the final plans for the evening (because NYE plans are never final until they’re almost-happening), roll back to sleep.

Noon- Wake up for real this time, but decide clothes are overrated.  PJs are the way to go, plus you’re only heading down to the kitchen for some coffee and maybe a bagel.  Gotta load up on carbs early.

12:20 pm- Plop down on the couch, cell phone right next to you (still waiting for someone, anyone to know what’s going on), and select from one of the many TV marathons that currently running.  Oooh, could that be an episode of Top Chef you missed?  Impossible!  Guess you better watch and find out.

5:00 pm- Okay, finally!  You’ve received word that your selected DD for the evening (poor soul) will start making the pick-up rounds at 9.  Then it’s off to some kid named Mike’s house for some pre-partying.  Then you’ll be taken to your proper destination to ring in the New Year.

5:03 pm- Wait, did that text say 9?  Eff!  You’ve gotta start getting ready!  What are you gonna wear?  Those tights make your legs look chunky, what were you thinking when you put together a mental outfit yesterday?  Idiot, idiot, idiot.  Jump in the shower, worry about clothes after.

6:00 pm- You just took the longest shower in human history.  Shaved, scrubbed, polished, buffed, exfoliated, and did God knows what else to every square inch of your body.  Time to sit in front of your closet in a towel and hate on your thighs a little more before ultimately opting for a pair of dark wash jeans.

6:36 pm- Why did you ever think a silver turtleneck was a positive fashion statement?  Who let you buy those striped leggings?  Is that a jumper in your closet?  Are you three?  You don’t own anything nice.  Just because it’s cheap, Target doesn’t make nice clothes…you need to stop telling yourself that lie.  Why is everything polyester!?! Ugh, so looks like it’s going to be that non-descript black top and a pair of dark wash jeans.  Again.

6:40 pm- Ooooh!  You found a sparkly bracelet shoved in the toe of those black pumps from freshman year.  Win!

7:00 pm- Blow your hair dry, straighten it, check it in the mirror and realize you missed an entire chunk of wavy hair down the back.  Heat up the straitening iron again.  Curse your genes for giving you hideous curls.

7:53 pm- Makeup!  To use glitter eye shadow, or to not use glitter eye shadow…  Use it! [Editor Note: Glitter eye shadow? Did you forget to put the pregame heavily note in the schedule?!]

8:11 pm- Look at yourself in the mirror, decide tonight is a Spanx night.

8:28 pm- All dressed, wristlet is packed, and you’re cramming some last minute dinner in your mouth.  It’s an attractive sight.

8:35 pm- Seconds on the red velvet cake?  Eh, why not…you need something to absorb all the booze that’s coming your way.

9:00 pm – Sitting.  Waiting.  Looking out the window.  Holding your phone.  No one.

9:08 pm- Send text, “Where are you guys?” to twelve different people.  Get no response.

9:40 pm- Finally a car pulls up and you recognize all your friends crammed in the back seat.  Apparently there was a hold up because the first person wasn’t ready in time and then it was just a messy domino effect of wet nails and eyebrows that still needed to be plucked.

10:01 pm- Get to this dude Mike’s house.  You’re not really sure who he is…maybe a friend of a friend type thing.  The porch is slanted, the front door doesn’t stay closed, and the wood floors are sticky with what you’re hoping is soda.  It’s a typical man sty.

10:02 pm- Can we leave yet?

10:04 pm- Can we leave yet, please?

10:05 pm- Someone get you a drink.  A strong one.

11:30 pm- Whew, where did that time go?  I can’t feel mah tongue.  Damn, this jungle juice is really tasty.  Wait, weren’t you supposed to be going to your *actual* friends’ place for midnight?  Is that your DD…drunk?

11:57 pm- Okay, so looks like you’re not going anywhere.  This is it.  Aaaaand you’re on your sixth cup of…whatever that is.

Midnight – Who are you kissing?  Have you met this young man before?  Who cares?  Welcome to 2011.

It’s almost the end of the year. As you’re making your New Year’s resolution list, here’s something to think about: punching up your style for 2011.

If you have “budget better” on your list, this might seem like it will counter a resolution to save money, but it doesn’t have to. An easy way to add a little punch to your wardrobe is with accessories! With a pair of patterned tights you can easily change the appearance of your go-to black dress. With a sparkly headband you can add some interest to your in-dire-need-of-a-cut hairstyle. Though Blair Waldorf-esque bow headbands may seem so Constance Billards, adding one with a lot of bling is a way to stray from that UES image.

By adding accessories from head to toe, you can add a lot of pizzaz to an otherwise basic outfit. And I’ve got 15 items to scoop up just in time for the New Year.

Not as fun as it looks. Trust me.

I’m always broke in December.

Finals week requires huge amounts of energy drinks and junk food to calm down stress for efficient studying, all worth it after the semester’s grades are posted.

Christmas calls for countless purchases from overcrowded malls to slowly rid the stress of giving gifts to loved ones, all worth it when they open their presents and have that priceless smile on their faces.

New Years’ Eve, however, for some reason, is like some huge competition to see who outdoes themselves and their bank accounts the most for the best Morning After story or the craziest Facebook pictures. And the stress that causes is never worth it, no matter how good that kiss was as midnight. Is it really worth hundreds of dollars to be at a club in Vegas while Jay-Z or Jay Sean or B.o.B. or Beyonce perform for the last twenty minutes of 2010? Do I seriously need to stress out over plane tickets or hotel rooms or my friend’s cousin’s roommate who can’t handle their alcohol?

NYE isn’t Go Big or Go Home; it can definitely be Go Big AT Home with your best friends. So if you want to avoid the “OMG, I can’t believe I spent that much money on a night that totally sucked,” here are the only 5 things you need for a killer NYE.

Bangin’ beats.
It ain’t a party without some jams. But who needs to shell out $75 to go to some bar with a DJ when you’ve already got all the same beats on your iPod? Be your own DJ and put together a playlist of YOUR favorite music of the year. It’s way better than being forced to grind with a stranger to every Katy Perry song of all time.

Sweet sips.
Alcohol is alcohol, and just because it’s served in some fancy glasses doesn’t mean it tastes any better. Vodka makes you just as drunk and happy when you pour it from a handle yourself, people.

Fun friends.
No one likes high maintenance party people, and thank goodness you aren’t one of them tonight. So control your guest list and celebrate the end of an amazing year with those who made it that way.

“Happy New Year!” headgear.
So you’ll know what night it was when can’t remember and look back at pictures. Top hat or headband, take your pick!

Sparkles of some sort in your outfit.
Because it’s New Year’s Eve and it’s practically protocol.

Contrary to what everyone says, you don’t need all that (overpriced) glitz and glamour for a great New Year’s Eve. And if the way you start the year determines what the rest of the year is going to be like, partying with your best friends for the night is definitely the perfect way to start.

The Host/Hostess

It’s inevitable.  No matter how laid back you think this person is, when they’ve got hoards of drunk people over at their house they’re bound to get a little anal.  Don’t aim the champagne cork at the windows.  Please use a coaster.  Don’t spill beer on the carpet.  No random hookups in the bedrooms.  The dog really shouldn’t be drinking out of wine glasses.  Ugh!

The Hot Mess

They’re slurring.  They’re stumbling.  They’re trying to make out with your boyfriend.  And in about five minutes their face is about to meet your fist.

The Upper

This person LOVES New Year’s Eve.  Wanna hear her resolutions?  Because she’s about to give you a twenty-minute lecture about how this past year she lost 50 lbs and is going for an additional 15 by May.  Do you care?  You effing better.  This is the best party of her life!  Have you ever seen so much hope in one room!?  OMG the countdown is about to start!  Shhhh…SHHHH!!!

The Downer

Life sucks.  New Year’s sucks.  She just got dumped.  The sequins from her dress are digging into her skin.  Her shoes hurt. Her hair is flat.  She doesn’t know anyone here.  She can’t get drunk.  She can’t stand being around so many stupidly happy people.  Can you just take her home?

The Photo Whore

Picture time just happens to be every five minutes when this person’s in attendance.  And we’re not talking innocent candids.  She wants everyone together against the glass doors, tall people in the back, shorter people crouching in the front.  Big smiles!  Look like you mean it.  Be happy, people.  Ok, one…two…three.  She meant on three, guys!  Half of you aren’t even looking.  Now she has to do a redo!  Here we go again…

Thank. God. For. Champagne.

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it), and 2. A major lack of storage space (for all the crap you've got). For these two reasons, maximizing what you already own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

For many of us, right now it’s all about planning that hot NYE outfit. Sure, we can go out and buy something new (we can even do it on a budget), but if you’re like me, you’ve spent every last dollar stocking up on gifts for everyone and their mother, meaning you’ve got nothing left for that special New Year’s dress. And that’s OK, because you’ve probably already got everything you could ever need to plan the perfect outfit for the big night.

Forget battling the crowds at the mall or spending oodles of money on something you’ll most likely only wear once (either because it’s too fancy for any other occasion or ruined when your friend spills her vodka cran down the front); all you need for the perfect New Year’s look is a little creativity and all those basics you’ve got stuffed into drawers.

Outfit 1:

Product Information: Skirt, Shirt, Belt, Bangle, Heels.

Hike up a basic black skirt, put on your standard black tank, add a belt and voila! You’ve got yourself a little black dress and the illusion of an hourglass shape. Toss on a bangle, a necklace or a cocktail ring for sparkle and a pair of shoes and you’re all set to hit the town. Bonus if you no longer need training wheels (aka a date) to wear the super-high heels you bought for a high school semi; now’s the time to break them out. Depending on how much cold you can tolerate, you can bare your legs, or add tights to this look!

Outfit 2:

Product Information: Tank, Blazer, Shorts, Flats, Headband, Tights.

Everyone’s got a pair of shorts in their closet and they can easily be dressed up for NYE. The key is statement tights. (Note: If it’s too cold for something this holey, add a pair of nude tights underneath for extra layers!) Then add your go-to blazer and a tank to finish the look off. If you plan on dancing through the new year, leave those uncomfortable pumps at home and opt for a flat instead. And if you’re looking for New Years sparkle, add a big sequined headband or any of those sparkly accessories (bib necklace, anyone?) you’ve been stocking up on all year.

Outfit 3:

Product Information: Leggings, Tunic, Boots, Necklace, Ring.

You don’t have to show a ton of skin on New Year’s Eve; wearing a tunic and leggings can be just as sexy. (Plus, the extra stretch leaves some give if you’ve overindulged this holiday.) To step up this outfit and make it bigger/badder/blingier for the big night, add a big statement necklace and sparkly cocktail ring. You can even add a wide, funky belt to the mix if you’ve got one. If you own a pair of over the knee boots, they work well with this outfit, but really, any boots or shoes will do.

Find out other ways to re-work what you’ve already got stuffed in that closet of yours.