Verizon customers are expected to send over 300 million text, picture and video messages this New Year’s Eve between the hours of 12 p.m. and 4a.m. ET New Year’s Day. During the third quarter of 2007, customers exchanged more than 721 million picture and video messages over Verizon Wireless’ nationwide network and sent or received nearly 36.5 billion text messages.

Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said, “During holidays such as New Year’s Eve, text, picture and video messages allow our customers to personalize their communications with friends and family. Last New Year’s Eve, our customers sent and received more than 284 million text messages and nearly 4.75 million multimedia messages, so we fully expect to surpass the 300 million mark tonight.”

Other carriers are also expecting an increase in traffic as the clock moves closer to midnight. As more cell phones include cameras and quick editing features, friends and family will be able to celebrate the New Year together even if they are separated by great distances. So hit the party circuit tonight, quaff some spirits and exchange a gaggle of messages you’d rather not remember in the morning.