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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
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 Years Eve Party
- Tell your closer friends and family of the date personally, because you want to make sure they show up. Send invitations!
- Buy party favors
- Time to buy alcohol. 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 sub woofer connected to an iPod will usually suffice.
- Have something for the kids to do--a new years 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.
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Can't drink the champers without them. |
Who wants to keep the noise down anyway? |
Lots of fun, but also lots of vacuuming later. |
Far better than any lampshade. |
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What is a new year's celebration without wearing funky, glow in the dark glasses? |
These kits have all the party favors you need to get everyone in the festive spirit. |
Filled with candy and toys, piñatas |
Everyone loves shooting off these little firecrackers when the ball drops. |
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 Years' 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.
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Make a compilation CD |
Use model cars |
Decorate the walls with movie posters |
Hang long scroll-like piece of paper along the wall, and use it as a timeline. Have your guests fill it in with their own personal events too. |
Everyone loves a disco ball |
Midnight Breakfast
Ring in the new year with a breakfast buffet.
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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 |
What's breakfast without a good cup of coffee |
You can also try things like a simple vegetable frittata, sausage links and patties, and hash browns. Be creative! Find them in a breakfast cookbook |
How about some fresh-squeezed juice for your mimosas? Have a juicer |
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.
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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 |
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 |
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
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
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Black and white cookies are a shortbread cookie with chocolate and vanilla fondant. |
Squid Ink Pasta Most squid ink pasta is flavored with real squid ink. Best served with seafood. |
Nothing says retro like stylish black and white dramas. |
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 desert 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 without leaving the kids with someone else. Here are a few suggestions.
- Let your kids help with the planning. Your kids will be more excited about the party 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 how it clashes with what you feel is appropriate and fun.
- Sit down with your kids and pick the games you'll play. Again, this is a great way to involve your kids in the party planning. Some suggestions for games--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 parents 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, and even later, granted that they don't keep you up.
- Let your kids 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.
Related Guides
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External Links
- About.com: New Year's Eve, A Blast From The Past.
- Party411.com: A New Year's Eve Planning Guide.