I’m a fan of keeping it simple over the holidays—except when it comes to the New Year’s kiss. I take kissing in general very seriously, but as the last thing you’ll do all year and first taste of the next one (pun intended), the New Year’s kiss holds particular clout. It’s your chance to kiss last year’s bad romances goodbye and to set a new precedent for 2014. Read: passion. And not just in terms of love and relationships. If you’re going to brave flu season and swap saliva at all, then why settle for a peck? Whether you’re popping champagne at a gala event or banging pots on the front lawn, this year, make your kiss count.
Seems like quite a bit of pressure to lay on a notoriously stressful evening. Which is why I’ve scoured the past year’s pop culture annals for some kiss-spiration, a few of the best kisses of 2013. My personal favourite:
Even if you’re not a fan of New Girl, take a moment to appreciate the kiss that alleviates two seasons’ worth of sexual tension between roommates Nick and Jess. Their chemistry shines despite this clip’s graininess, making out up for the fact that it was such a long time coming. Swoon-worthy elements—other than babes Jake Johnson and Zooey Deschanel—include the initial arm-grab, assertive lean-in and tender denouement, which brings me to…
Tip #1: Strive for a kiss that is both sultry and sweet.
You might not have a Nick (or Jess) in your life, that special someone who inspires you to kiss like a sitcom star. You’re on POF, so that’s something, but don’t sweat it if you don’t land your ideal New Year’s date. Instead, follow the examples of Seth Rogen and James Franco. Plant one on a friend. Have fun with it. Be silly. Find a green screen, a motorcycle and enjoy the ride. See the actors’ spoof of Kanye West’s “Bound 2” below (skip to 2:13 for a delightful dude-smooch):
Even if you can’t pull off starry skies and sunsets…
Tip #2: Consider your surroundings. The more romantic, the better.
Perhaps sexier than Seth Rogen, shirtless, straddling James Franco is this kiss between Piper and Alex in Season 1 of Orange is the New Black:
Piper’s just been released from a stint in solitary, and it’s possible that kissing isn’t the only thing on her mind. This New Year’s Eve, I wouldn’t advise stripping down on the dance floor, but do…
Tip #3: Kiss like nobody’s watching.
Of course, there is such a thing as overdoing it, and who better to illustrate this than 2013 darling Miley Cyrus? My next recommendation hits home in her “Wrecking Ball” video. That poor sledgehammer:
Tip #4: A little bit of tongue goes a long way.
To finish up, here’s something a bit more wholesome. At the end of Silver Linings Playbook, Pat professes his love to Tiffany, and she acquiesces in a flurry of lips and romantic camera angles. This is the out-of-body experience kiss, the one so sublime that it must mean love. Cliches aside, if a kiss of this calibre is at all within your reach, then follow Pat’s lead and chase it down the street. You won’t regret it.
Tip #5: Lay it all on the line.
Happy kissing, and all the best for 2014!
