New Year's Eve

Another year bites the dust, prompting an inevitable reflection on the year gone by. But let's be serious, it calls for a party! Nothing begs an all-out bash quite like New Year's Eve so hop to it and start your party planning here. Whether you prefer a more traditional night with noisemakers and champagne or a one-of-a-kind party (check out our ideas below) get your party favors  here. Oh, and Happy New Year!

Need some help with keeping those New Year's Resolutions?  We have a guide to help you with those too!

 How to Throw a New Year's Eve Party

• Tell your friends and family of the date personally, because you want to make sure they show up. Send invitations! 
• Buy party favors and snacks.
• Time to buy alcohol so you can make plenty of celebratory toasts. In addition to mixers, beer, and liquor, this is the night for popping bottles of champagne.
• Make sure you have music. Nice computer speakers with a subwoofer connected to an iPod will usually suffice.
• Have something for the kids to do--a new year's themed activity or video games for the less creative.
• Sit back and have a good time.

The Must-Haves

No matter your style, it just isn't New Year's Eve without these.

Champagne Glasses Can't drink the champers without them.	Noisemakers  Who wants to keep the noise down anyway?	Confetti  Lots of fun, but also lots of vacuuming later.

Hats  Far better than any lampshade.	2011 Glasses  What is a new year's celebration without wearing funky, glow in the dark glasses?	New Year's Eve Kits  These kits have all the party favors you need to get everyone in the festive spirit.

Party Ideas

Want to try something new? Check out these fun ideas for an out-of-the-ordinary party.

Host a Retro Bash

In keeping with New Year's theme of reflection, why not host a throwback party? Let nostalgia reign! Your friends will be talking about this for, well, years to come. Here are a few ways to make it happen.

Make a compilation CD  of your favorite music from each decade.	Use model cars  from each decade to create a timeline on a tabletop.	Decorate the walls with movie posters  of Academy Award winning films from the last 10 to 20 years.	Hang long scroll-like piece of paper along the wall, and use them as a timeline. Have your guests fill out their own personal events.	Everyone loves a disco ball . Take your party back to the 70's.

Midnight Breakfast

Ring in the new year with a breakfast buffet.

Have a make-your-own waffle station. Whip up a batch of waffle mix, keep it refrigerated so it's ready to go at midnight. All you need is a waffle iron  and waffle mix .	What's breakfast without a good cup of coffee ? Keep your party going--and your guests awake--with a good brew. Keep some Bailey's Irish Cream  or Kahlua Coffee Liqueur  on hand.	You can also try things like a simple vegetable frittata, sausage links and patties, and hash browns. Be creative! Find more ideas in a breakfast cookbook .	How about some fresh-squeezed juice for your mimosas? Have a juicer  ready to go and don't forget to stock up on oranges.

Casino Night

Just because you didn't make it to Vegas for New Year's Eve doesn't mean you can't party casino-style.

If you don't think your guests want to leave the party with less cash than they came with, consider purchasing paper money .	Hang some casino-style lights  around your house to create a real casino atmosphere.	Serve your guests finger foods so they can keep one hand free to play games. Check out these cookbooks .	If money is no issue, splurge on a casino table . Otherwise, get some laydown cloths  to for some high-rolling times.

Black and White Party

It's quirky, easy, and most importantly, fun.  This simple color scheme will do, as black and white foods and decorations are easy to come by.  Get creative though--try some crostini topped with mushrooms in black truffle oil  and a second plate with goat cheese  and white truffle oil . Put out some pumpernickel bread  with cheese, and make sure to serve both light meat and dark meat. Angel food  and devil's food cakes  are a great choice for dessert. Keep a bowl of licorice  and coconut jelly beans  (or black and white jordan almonds ) on the coffee table for nibbling.

Too much gray can be a gloomy color scheme, so opt for lots of bold patterns in high contrast black and white only. And don't forget to wear a black and white dress  or zoot suit !

Black and White Cookies  Delicious shortbread cookies with chocolate and vanilla fondant.	Squid Ink Pasta  with Alfredo Sauce  Most of this pasta is flavored with real squid ink. Best served with seafood.	Film Noir Posters  Nothing says retro like stylish black and white dramas.	Bold Patterned Plates  Black and white checked or polka dotted plates are a nice touch to your party.	Chocolate-Covered Strawberries  Chocolate- and cream-covered strawberries are a delectable dessert your guests will love.

Other Ideas

Keep your kids entertained on New Year's Eve without the help of a babysitter. There are plenty of ways to throw a fun party and get the kids involved at the same time. Here are a few suggestions.

• Let your kids help with the planning. Your kids will be more excited if they feel as if they've had a hand in putting it together. Plus, it gives you an idea of what they'd like to do and if it clashes with what you feel is appropriate and fun.
• Pick the games you'll play. Some suggestions for games include Twister, charades, sardines (a hide-and-seek game where one person hides, and everyone who finds him/her squeezes into the hiding spot. The person who finds everyone last is the next to hide.)
• Invite a friend or two to spend the night. Most people fear drunk drivers on New Year's Eve, so the security of both parent and child not having to be on the road is a plus. It'll also mean more fun for your kids, too. All of them can stay up till midnight or even later, granted that they don't keep you up.
• Let your children make their own dinner. Set up a table with ingredients for a simple dinner (pizza, for example) and let them put together their own dinner. For pizza, buy the dough, sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and whatever else the kids may enjoy.

What to Wear

Whether you are throwing the party or you are the guest, dressing up for New Year's Eve is always a must. Here are some basic ideas that wil keep you looking classy and festive at the same time.

Every woman should have a little black dress  in her closet for such an occasion. Glam it up with silver or gold jewelry.	For guys, a three-piece suit  is classic and refined.  You can easily get more relaxed by removing the jacket or vest.	Dress shoes  for men are a must, of course. Make sure you pick something comfortable if you're going to be on your feet all day.	High heels  for women will complete your look. Go for something flashy and shimmery as New Year's is all about glam.	No outfit is complete without a fun little new year's hat  to be festive. Don't forget a pair of wacky glasses as well!

Related Guides

Holiday Guide	New Year's Resolutions	Sparkling Wine	Champagne Glasses	Good Luck Foods for the New Year