C.J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Host the Perfect New Years Eve Party
Original article posted: 12/29/22
Updated: 9/10/23
One of the most exciting nights of the year would, hands down, be New Year's Eve! This is the night about wrapping up the past year and having major hopes for changes for the upcoming year. Spending this time with friends, family, and loved ones in general just makes it all the more special.
Whether you're planning on throwing a New Year's Eve party for yourself or someone else, you can do a few simple things to make it the perfect night. In addition to the obvious, like eating and drinking well, there are other aspects of the evening that you can focus on to make it a fun time. So, here are some tips that you should pay attention to when planning this party!
Establish a theme
New Year’s Eve Party Background Idea
Before you can do anything else, as a host trying to recreate the perfect party, you must complete the theme. Establishing a theme for your New Year's Eve party is important. Themes can make the night more memorable and increase your excitement. There are several different themes you can choose from, each of which offers an opportunity for guests to have a fun time.
Choosing a theme that suits your party's style and budget is the first step to getting started. You should also consider the type of guests you are inviting. Since we’re living in the twenties, you could make a theme out of that!
Try making your own fab hair piece for your New Year’s Eve event with my video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Get high-quality wines
Add a quality wine to your party toast
You must pay attention to the alcohol selection for this party. If you’re planning to serve alcohol, then make sure it’s good quality. New Year's Eve is a night for celebration and a time to sip on high-quality wines. Champagne is the traditional drink of choice for a holiday, but you don't have to limit yourself to that.
There are plenty of other sparkling wines out there, so pick one that's perfect for your New Year's party. You'll want to serve the best of the best for a special occasion like this. Fortunately, good champagne can be found right at your local liquor store. You can also purchase a bottle of champagne and combine it with an interesting cocktail to make your party even more memorable.
String up fairy lights
Christmas lights can be repurposed for New Year’s Eve parties
For the perfect New Year's Eve party, consider a few elements. One of the most important is the décor. The right combination of colors and textures will make a room look magical and cozy. There are many ways to achieve this.
You can buy pre-made decorations, or you can take a more hands-on approach and decorate your space. Some people will still have their Christmas decorations up, and you can use that décor if you want. It’s all about making things easier for you for your decoration scheme for this party.
Don’t neglect the food!
Party food should be easy and convenient to eat
Of all things, you definitely must pay attention to the food and what you plan on serving. With it being NYE, you can’t make it too festive, but it shouldn’t be bland, either. One unique idea is to serve tasty homemade goulash, and you can have small finger foods to complement it. This way, your guest has multiple options, and you’re not going with anything stereotypical for NYE parties.
Organize drink stations
Try a sangria station at your New Year’s Eve party
Organizing drink stations for the perfect New Year's Eve party is an effective and festive way to welcome guests. You can make this task a breeze by providing the basics, such as ice, a variety of juices, and a few cocktails. Providing a few more options is also a good idea to make your party memorable for all the right reasons. You don’t necessarily need to be the bartender; your guests can do that themselves.
The best way to serve up drinks at your party is to set up a Champagne bar, complete with swizzle sticks and mixers for Champagne-based drinks. This is a simple solution to keeping the festivities on a budget. Set up a potluck if you want to save money on something other than a full-service bar. Just don't forget to include a cheese board and a hot chocolate station. These are simple, not that expensive, and have little cleanup too.
Decorate your table
If it’s warm, try an outdoor party tent
A New Year's Eve party is only complete with a table that is decorated for festive celebrations. While some people may be tempted to leave it bare, a little creativity can go a long way to making your guests feel special. If you want to create a festive tablescape, consider choosing a color palette to complement your decorations.
Metallic shades are a popular choice and can make your table shine. You can also add sparkling ornaments, candles, and tablecloths to the mix. For an elegant touch, use gold. For a more casual look, try black. Since we’re living in the twenties, you could try to incorporate this concept. This is especially true for black and gold, which look glamorous together.
Try adding a balloon feature for photo ops
Adding to the ambiance, balloon center pieces have been making a resurgence in table decoration. They are no longer just floating above our heads but have taken a place of pride at the center of our dining spaces. Transparent balloons filled with shimmering confetti, coordinated with your chosen color palette, can elevate the entire look. For instance, balloons filled with gold confetti can enhance the opulence of a black and gold tablescape.
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C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.