No lie – group dinners stress me the hell out. From choosing the restaurant to splitting the bill, having dinner in the company of more than four people at a restaurant has become such a pain that I’ve started avoiding them altogether. Hence, my short list of friends in the Boston-area.

And when you add New Year’s Eve into the equation, well, things get even more complicated. But if you’ve decided to brave tonight’s crazy restaurant crowds, we commend you. And, we have a few tips to help your dinner go as smoothly as possible. Good luck and keep that champagne flowin’!

Reservations at the right restaurant

Finding the right restaurant with available reservations on New Year’s Eve isn’t an easy task. Luckily, there are still quite a few restaurants with seats available in Boston. If you’re planning to dine with a group, we recommend designating one person (who knows restaurants) to lock down a dinner reservation for all. Aim for a restaurant that offers some sort of special prix-fixe menu to make the night (and check) easier. You’ll want to avoid extremely loud restaurants, as it can be hard to hear everyone in your group. Also, round tables are clutch to having a great time with a big group.

Choose seating carefully

If you’re going out to dinner, you won’t need to assign seats (obviously) but if you’re planning to host a dinner at home, you might as well do it. It’ll help avoid those awkward “where do I sit?” questions. And it’ll give friends and strangers an excuse to mingle with both someone new and familiar.

Splitting the bill

The age old dilemma of splitting the check is enough to make even the most social person avoid group dinners on New Year’s Eve. But if you do plan to venture out, it’s best to have a plan when it comes to the bill. Discuss the logistics with your dining partners beforehand. If one person is paying for it – great! But if you do decide to split the bill, we recommend bringing cash so that everyone pays their fair share. Unless it’s a prix-fixe menu, you shouldn’t simply split the tab evenly. After all, it’s not your fault that your tipsy friend ordered the entire left side of the cocktail menu – why should you have to finance their drinking?

Tipping

Just like splitting the bill, calculating the tip is another issue you’re sure to run into tonight. Especially if there’s a cheapskate at the table. In order to make the process easier (especially after a few glasses of champagne), we recommend downloading apps like Divvy, Plates by Splitwise, and Billr. These apps calculate the tip for your group and take into account different meal charges for each diner, so that everyone tips fairly (and the same percentage). That way you aren’t stuck tipping 20 percent while your stingy friend sneaks in a 10 percent tip. Jerk.

And if it’s still too stressful…

Just do it at home. Host your group dinner in the comforts of your own dining room. Whether it’s a potluck dinner or a catered meal, taking the restaurant (and that check) out of the equation can make your New Year’s Eve less daunting. And the less stressful it is, the more you’ll be able to enjoy that champagne. Cheers!

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