Can/Make/Do/Think

So, having found out that my sweetie will not be working late on New Year’s Eve, which means I do not have to go into a cafe in a dress, order a glass of champagne, and kiss my boyfriend like the world is ending in front of customer and coworkers at midnight on Saturday (which actually, come to that, doesn’t sound like the worst idea there ever was…).

It also means that as long as our friends with whom we always spend New Year’s if it’s available are not available (and he works in/owns a bar, so it’s probably not available), we will be kicking off 2012 in our apartment, in our living room, together.

SO.

I need to plan some food.
Two years ago, I made lady apples stuffed with sausage, and gougeres, and a couple other things that I can’t remember, presumably salsa and guacamole and another dip.

Last year, I again made the lady apples, and gougeres, and coconut shrimp, and my friend brought dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets because last year dear LORD I needed some whimsy, and there were tortilla chips, and salsa I think, and … yeah.

This year, here is what I’m thinking:
Gougeres (a tradition, and effing delicious)
Crispy fried sardines (the large, fresh ones, not the ones you get in a tin) with garlic aioli
Small portions of brisket or short-rib ragout with homemade papardelle (hence the “small portions” thing)

Other things I’m considering include cheese straws, a pasta I saw Giada (T-Rex) DiLaurentiis make that had tomatoes and capers roasted together in the oven and then tossed with the pasta and some cheese, possibly coconut shrimp again, only better, gorgonzola crostini with honey and sunflower seeds, spiced walnuts for munching… 

As you can see, I need some help. Or some suggestions. Help me out, please. What should I make? What shouldn’t I make? What awesome thing would you want me to try out, or eat, or not enter the year-the-world-might-end without tasting?