New Years Eve Date... Why hasn't he asked?

Ok, I know guys stink at making plans. I'm infatuated with a guy I met online and have been casually seeing for the past month or two. Even though it bums me out I'm pretty sure he's seeing other people but we haven't made exclusive arrangements...yet. We discussed and agreed that we would spend more time together to see where things will lead. But then the Holidays crept up and he's been away then I've been away... I want to see him for New Years Eve but he hasn't asked me to spend it with him despite the fact that I made it clear that I had no specific plans. I have the opportunity to make other plans but I would rather be with my crush. What do I do? Do I play it cool & say nothing, since he hasn't bothered to make plans with me and just go ahead and make other plans and if he asks at the last minute say I'm busy and he should have asked sooner? (Which is what all the chick books would say I should do) Or do I swallow my pride and tell him I want to spend NYE with him and see what he says? And if I do the latter, should I let him know I have other options? I don't want to make it sound like I'm threatening him "Be with me or else". I wonder sometimes if maybe he tells me to go ahead and enjoy myself because he doesn't want to hold me back from doing other things but the truth is I would rather bond with him... but I'm afraid to show my hand cause then he'll know he has me whipped. What should I do?