When it comes to making New Year’s Eve plans, there’s the kind of people that dig big boozed-up crowds, and then there are those of us liking low-key gatherings. End 2012 in the fashion of your choosing, because there’s no shortage of New Year’s celebration options.

From big bashes to small soirees, the following events offer a range of NYE experiences at different prices all within the Western New York:

BIG

Buffalo Ball Drop
Roosevelt Plaza
10 p.m.
Free
Perfect for: all ages, with parental supervision and lots of warm winter gear
This is the second largest ball drop in the state.

First Night Buffalo
Buffalo Convention Center, 153 Franklin St., Buffalo
5 to 10 p.m.
$8 in advance at Wegmans, $10 at the door, free for children 2 and younger
Perfect for: families

The Statler City Ice Ball
Statler City, 107 Delaware Ave., Buffalo
Doors open at 6 p.m.
$165
Perfect for: Drinkers (21 and older) who like to see and be seen
Tickets include a five-hour open bar, food, table seating for all attendees, entertainment and a champagne toast. There’s a dress code, so don’t try showing up in sneakers, jeans or a T-shirt. Complaints of overcrowding and long lines at last year’s party have been addressed by organizers who will limit attendees at 1,500 for the upcoming soiree.

Lafayette Royale
Hotel at the Lafayette, 391 Washington St., Buffalo
8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
$40; $100 for VIP tickets (sold out)
Perfect for: adults (21 and older) ready to party
Drink, gamble and be merry. This new New Year’s Eve celebration held at the historic Hotel Lafayette boasts a James Bond theme. Paid attendees get one Roq drink and a glass of champagne for a midnight toast. There are also optional food and drink items available for purchase at an additional cost.

MEDIUM

New Year’s Eve at Rendezvous (sold out)
Statler City, 107 Delaware Ave., Buffalo
Doors open at 8 p.m.
$30
Perfect for: Dancing machines on a budget
Unlike its fancy-pants counterpart upstairs in the ballrooms, this Statler event is more about a casual good time. The $30 tickets to this event include a three-hour open bar, champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres. Ticket does not include access to the Ice Ball held in the same building.

New Year’s at Salvatore’s
Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew
$25 to $125, depending on package
Perfect for: Any NYE celebrant of legal drinking age who wants to avoid the wild party scene
The beauty of Salvatore’s New Year’s Eve offerings is that there are different party and dinner packages at varying prices. There are four events happening simultaneously in the venue’s two ballrooms, dining room and lounge. Both ballroom events ($105 and $125) include multiple-course dinners, entertainment, dancing, open bar from 6:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Though the venue is large, the respective parties feel intimate.

After Dark New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball
Acqua, 9192 Niagara St., Buffalo
Doors open at 8:30 p.m.
$80, $120 VIP (sold out)
Perfect for: Partiers of legal drinking age who want to party somewhere away from downtown
After Dark knows how to throw a party—it’s what they do best—so why not stick with them for New Year’s Eve? This event includes an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast, midnight buffet (!!!), music and more.

A Polka New Year’s Eve
Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga
$80
Perfect for: club-dodgers who want to have a good time and dance the night away
Dance the night away to the musical stylings of Polka Country Musicians and the Bedrock Boys. Enjoy a five-hour open bar (American, Canadian and Polish drinks available), hors d’oeuvres, multi-course sit-down dinner, traditional Polish Herring appetizers on rye, party favors, option to stay in the hotel (additional charge).

SMALL

Thirsty Buffalo New Year’s Eve Party
555 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
$75
Perfect for: Celebrants who don’t want to get all gussied-up to ring in the new year
For $75, 150 guests will have access to an open bar for five hours. After 1 a.m., attendees can buy drinks at discounted prices. Hors d’oeuvres, food stations and champagne toast included.

New Year’s Eve at Curly’s
647 Ridge Road, Lackawanna
10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Complimentary (with reservation)
Perfect for: low-key foodie type
Make a dinner reservation, and then stick around for music, dancing, fruit, cheese and crudité. Complimentary champagne at midnight.

New Year’s Eve in Dublin
Shannon Pub, 2250 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda
5 to 9 p.m.
Complimentary (with reservation)
Perfect for: early birds, families
Enjoy dinner specials, live entertainment by the Dustmen and a Dublin ball drop. What exactly does that mean? It means the ball will drop at 7 p.m. EST, which coincides with midnight in Dublin. Dinner specials include soup or salad, vegetables and chocolate Guinness mousse for dessert.