So maybe it’s not the first place on your radar for champagne, streamers and drunken versions of auld lang syne with 200 others in a hotel ballroom.

But Tennessee cabin rentals could be the answer to that nagging question of where to celebrate New Year’s Eve–especially now that you’re in the family way. Because somehow, unless they’ve struck gold on that night (meaning, a babysitter), parents get shafted on what’s supposed to be the most festive night of the year.

Let 2010 be the year of the house–make that vacation house–party.

The Gatlinburg cabin featured  is still open for New Year’s Eve week for $1,865 for a seven-night stay (and actually, all of November and December are good deals, what with the three nights, fourth-night free special for $165 a night). Wandering Cubs, an adorable property in Dollywood- and Smoky Mountains-land, is shindig ready with its space for eight guests, 65-inch high-def TV an surround-sound system, pool table, PlayStation 2 and large DVD collection. By morning, step out on the deck to enjoy glorious views of Mt. LeConte. By night, gather ’round the stone fireplace with hot whiskeys.

Before the season turns for the worst, enter the hot tub, which begs for hours of soakage.

Now that’s an idea that sounds a whole lot better than sipping Moet out of a plastic cup after you paid $150 for the ticket.

As far as glamorous abodes go, Miami Beach vacation rentals don’t have the monopoly on Florida style.

That sleek sexiness you would expect to see in a Collins Avenue condominium exists here, an exotic city loft with dramatic lines, high ceilings, shimmery wood floors and Indonesian-inspired furnishings. A stunning loft channels a cabana with its loosely hanging white curtains, hammered lanterns and wicker lounge chairs. It almost feels like a terrace in a clandestine club–your own private hideaway.

The owner of this property boasts a few other Delray Beach vacation rentals, including another space that may have you thinking you’re in Hawaii rather than the Atlantic Coast. (Scroll to Polynesian retreat at the bottom of the listing pictured.) Like its sister property, the vacation home relies on dark wood and art to create mystique, and adds yet one more element: a garden that–quite simply–kicks ass.

One stroll to the pergola or seat by the waterfalls, you’ll feel like Mr. Miyagi is about to appear at any moment.

Don’t hurt yourself practicing the crane.

The words modest and Manhattan don’t typically belong in the same sentence, but if you’re willing to stay a little farther north (read: Harlem), your bank account will thank you.

The steps pictured lead to a Manhattan vacation rental priced well below any Midtown hotel at just $155 a night through Dec. 15. And it’s no matchbox either, people. You’ll be getting a whole one bedroom. In New York terms, that’s huge. It could mean squeezing in an extra bookcase, sofa or person. And in this case, you also get a full-sized kitchen.

We’re not talking kitchenette with a puny-excuse-for-a-hotel-refrigerator, but a tricked-out, Bosch dishwasher- and Wolf range-fitted chef’s station. (Check out those granite counters, glistening cabinets, deep sink and hood, the envy of any foodie.) The bathroom is equally impressive with its seamless glass shower wall and subway tile.

And for those very upgrades, you’ll feel better for staying here over a walkup in Chelsea, regardless of the “help yourself” bagels in the lobby. Save your dough for shopping and boozing.

The Olympic cauldron lights up on Feb. 12, 2010, which leaves very little time for those of you procrastinators attending the games to secure housing.

And while you may have been lucky in the past to strike a last-minute deal, waiting too long could mean that family from Sweden laps you in the reservation line. The good thing is, perhaps that family hasn’t thought of Vancouver vacation rentals.

Traditionalists will opt for hotels, but savvy travelers seeking more space for their Canadian dollar will turn to Canada vacation homes to take advantage of cozy comforts like full kitchens, toys, hot tubs and access to off-the-radar neighborhoods. And while most hotel concierges will likely be bombarded with requests from the myriad of global travelers attending the games, you as a vacation home renter will have a distinct advantage in being able to contact the owner of your property for one-on-one recommendations on where to eat, drink and play before you arrive in February.

A spin around the Winter Olympics site focuses–naturally–on the sports side of the games, but for visitors, there’s little about accommodations. That’s where VacationHomeRentals.com comes in. Our site posts 16 listings in the Vancouver area.

Do any of you previous Olympics travelers have any insights on how visitors can maximize their games? What about you Vancouver folks? Do tell on Twitter @checkincheckout.

If you’ve been a loyal follower of Check-In, Check-Out (Thank you, thank you very much), you’d remember the challenge posed to you from the beginning of 2009: Disappear into nowhere.

That was resolution No. 7, along with “Be a kid again,” Learn how to sit still” and “Be more romantic,” among many others.

How are you doing on those promises?

While it may be too late or too busy to squeeze in a getaway before the end of the year, here’s an idea for when the turf thaws: Kearney, Nebraska. Ever heard of it? Me neither.

The Nebraska vacation rental pictured covers the three C’s: convenience, comfort and country setting. It’s that anonymous escape that your TomTom may have difficultly zeroing in on a map, which is part of its appeal.

The loft-style cabin, a one-bedroom that rents for $95 a night when weather cooperates*, sits at pond’s edge, where you’ll catch and release large-mouth bass, catfish and carp. If you’ve forgotten your pole, don’t worry: The owners have left two, along with other essentials like bug spray, suntan lotion and shampoo and conditioner. (Rough it in a tent, not in a cabin with a working shower.)

While you’re out exploring the trail near the Platte River, keep on the lookout for deer and turkey, which may cross your path, or songbirds.

That last one should take care of being a kid again and learning how to sit still. As for being romantic, there’s no real secret to how that’s accomplished. Just call, book and surprise.

(*Note to readers: The owners close the unit from November to February because they don’t have the equipment to remove snow. Contact them for available dates.)

Paging all Civil War buffs: Your vacation haven awaits in Gettysburg, Pa.

The Beecher House, one of several Pennsylvania vacation rentals on our site, teases with a special winter rate of $695 a week for Dec. 11-17. The three-bedroom home, a pre-Civil War beauty outfitted with a country kitchen and tasteful furnishings, rests on more than one acre of gardens with views of the South Mountain range and apple orchards.

By day, hit the Gettysburg National Military Park, where 51,000 Confederate and Union soldiers waged war in what was considered the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy,” according to the U.S. National Park Service. Then spend time in Kreider Farms, a localvore’s food supply-come-true with its cage-free eggs, premium-batch churned ice cream and other dairy goods, which are sold at Amish markets throughout the area.

If you’re lucky, you may even run into a horse and buggy on the road.

Now that would be cool–even more so than staying in a historic home. Don’t forget your camera.

Sure, there’s Santa Claus, Ind., and Saint Nicholas, Pa., but who would have ever guessed that one of most festive yuletide towns in the U.S. exists in Branson, Mo.?

Branson vacation rentals owners should capitalize on the city’s host role to the Branson Area Festival of Lights, a six-week electricity extravaganza designed for oohing and aahing. Limousine tours wind through downtown Branson in style–complete with sparkling cider and Christmas tunes–but visitors are more than welcome to take their own vehicles along the 175 displays of twinkling Santas, reindeer and nativity scenes. (Note: The Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through charges $10 for family vehicles, but the limo rides are offered by Branson Limo Service for $125-$360 depending on the style of car you reserve, whether that’s luxury sedan, stretch limo or shuttle bus.)

If you’re a landlord with a Missouri cabin rental, make sure to detail how close your property is to the sights and how it would make an attractive option for groups looking for a break from their usual holiday routine. Showcase large open spaces if you have them, like a supersized dining table or game room, where prospective renters can see themselves carving a turkey, sipping eggnog together and challenging the in-laws to a game of pool.

And besides “light-seeing,” don’t forget those other two holiday traditions: shopping and eating. Your listing should mention proximity to Branson Landing, the behemoth outdoor mall, the Tanger Outlet Center and the Branson Mill Craft Village, where artisans display their unique wares such as etched glassworks, wood carvings and stained glass.

For dining, make recommendations on where to eat, as people will be too lazy to cook all of the days. Or, if your house boasts a kitchen built for grandma’s from-scratch recipes, place your renters there so they can smell it. Showcase the dining room table all dressed up for holiday dinner. Post pictures of the duel ovens. If you have images of previous tenants baking cookies, display them. A lively room speaks volumes.

That’s what the holidays are all about: spreading cheer.

Hawaii came in as the second-happiest state in the U.S. in the Gallup Organization’s Well-Being Index, which looked at factors like job satisfaction, emotional and physical health and healthy habits.

There’s no need to state the obvious as to why, but Utah–the leader–is a headscratcher. Utah, really? Utah before luaus, waterfalls and golden sands? No offense to Utah, but I’d rather be surfing, parasailing, tubing in a lazy river, dolphin watching, heck, eating Spam, in a Hawaii vacation rental. Wouldn’t you?

Now it’s time for you Utah folks to sound off.

What is your secret to happiness? Share on Twitter @checkincheckout.

Property owners, it’s time to take a good, hard look at your listing.

Is it stuck in the wrong season? Is your posting riddled with photos of people water skiing or golfing in shorts? Yep, it may be time for a makeover.

With the right “staging,” your lovely little getaway can be billed as the perfect ski bunnies’ retreat or Christmas cabin. Remember: Even Floridians need a break from 80 degrees.

To properly winterize, say, your California vacation rental, think like a prospective tenant.

What would you  associate with the season?

1. In cold-weather climates, tenants look for places to play in the snow. Think skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. If your property is near a ski resort, by all means, say specifically how close your home is, as the owner of the Big Bear Lake vacation rental does above.

2. If you have any photos of the property dressed up for the holidays, upload them. Who can resist a fully lit, 16-foot Fraser Fir in all its yuletide glory?

3. Show off that hot tub in photos. Folks who endure subzero temps will be grateful for the soothing jet action after taking their muscles to their limits on the slopes.

4. Ditto for fireplaces, and by all means, make sure there’s fire in the photos. A stone-surround fireplace is gorgeous and all, but even more brilliant when lit with logs. The only thing missing there is a family in reindeer sweaters sipping hot cocoa.

5. When the season is over, change the “linens” with new images that are appropriate to the time. Keeping the listing fresh reminds renters that you’re a conscientious business owner who tends to his properties and cares about the customer experience. An absentee landlord is like the neighbor who refuses to take down his Christmas lights–in February. Come on already.

After winding through mountains and past gold-flecked trees and sparkling streams, your reward is a cabin in the woods.

The 1920s cottage above, affectionately called “The Lilacs,” perches at an elevation level of 5,300 feet, blessing visitors with views of starry skies, a pond below and all that gorgeous greenery. Besides its name, the setting oozes with historical charm. The property was once part of the Bailey Palomar Resort, where “townies” would come to play during summers to enjoy the warmth and the community gathering places like the dance hall and hotel.

The no-frills, Redwood cabin looks every bit the part of rustic retreat, where walls are wood-paneled and decorated with antlers, the fireplace is stone and guests can climb to a loft bedroom upstairs or chillax in one of a living room that streams the light in from multiple windows.

And now for the secret of this California vacation rental, one that may apply to many other vacation homes throughout VacationHomeRentals.com …

Through the end of December, the three-bedroom house is $65-$95 a night with a two-night mininum stay. Even in the summer (May 22-Sept. 10), the rate is an affordable $145 a night.

Shhh. No one has to know but you, your lady and mountain bike.