New Year’s Eve is the most glamorous night of the year, and the perfect occasion to gather together with your nearest and your dearest while ushering out 2018. Whether you’re hosting a small soiree for a handful of family and friends or a boisterous bash for a larger crowd, these eight entertaining tips can help you pull off an unforgettable affair.
1. Dress it up.
While some New Year’s Eve events call for black tie attire, others keep things more casual. Regardless of the dress code for your party, put on the glitz with your decor. Think silver trays, sequin table runners and metallic votive candles. After all, New Year’s Eve is all about the sparkle and shine.
And don’t forget the details: From using your good china to making festive ice cubes, even the smallest things add up to a big impression.
2. Embrace the authentic.
We may be living in the selfie age, but this makes more traditional modes of commemorating the occasion even more special. Buying a few instant cameras, setting up photo-worthy backdrops, and encouraging your guests to use them throughout the night is a clever way to create capture the night’s memories.
Have a scrapbook on hand for guests to add their photos as the countdown to midnight continues. If you’ve got a larger budget, consider renting a photo booth.
For an extra-festive touch, have fedoras, feathered boas, and photo prop signs for your guests to use for their paparazzi moments. (And don’t forget to stock up on party hats, horns, and confetti for stroke of midnight.)
3. Have a hashtag.
Speaking of selfies, no 21st-century celebration is complete without a hashtag. Once you’ve come up with yours, include it on everything from the invitation to your thank you notes.
4. Offer a signature drink.
New Year’s Eve may call for a champagne toast, but choosing a signature drink or two for your event can add a festive feel while simultaneously sparing you from playing bartender all night. Check out Bon Appetit’s roundup of New Year’s Eve cocktail and drink recipes designed to keep the party going courtesy of bright flavors, bold colors, and plenty of bubbles, too.
Of course, not all of your guests will enjoy a fruit-filled concoction. Setting up a bar or bar cart with all of the essentials and inviting your guests to fix themselves drinks is a wonderful welcome.
5. Plan games.
No, we’re not talking about musical chairs. Rather, about sophisticated party games aimed at breaking the ice and keeping things lively. We love Real Simple’s New Year Playing Cards, which encourage partygoers to share their wishes and witticisms before guessing which sentiment belongs to which guest.
Tarot cards are also a fun way to predict what the year ahead will hold.
6. Plan the playlist.
Nothing kills a party faster than dull music. Create a playlist in advance filled with your favorite, New Year’s Eve-worthy tunes. Or, check out curated New Year’s Eve playlists available on Pandora, Spotify and iTunes and choose on that suits your desired vibe for the evening.
7. Keep the food simple.
If a fancy, six-course New Year’s Eve dinner party is in your wheelhouse, go for it. However, it’s also perfectly fine — and infinitely easier — to keep things simple. Finger foods are conducive to mixing and mingling, while making use of your slow cooker means less time in the kitchen for you. Remember: your guests are there for the company, not a three-Michelin-star meal.
8. Set the scene.
If you’re like most hosts, your pre-party efforts may be focused on cleaning. However, several other elements are also important. For starters, the right lighting is everything. While overhead lighting can be abrasive, floor lamps and table lamps offer more appealing ambiance.
Ample flow is also important; your guests should be able to move freely through the room. And while some of your guests may prefer to stand (and dance, if space allows), small seating clusters facilitate more intimate conversations.
One last thing to keep in mind when party-planning stress starts to surmount? New Year’s Eve isn’t just another party; it’s also an opportunity to ring in the new year with open arms and a full heart. Focusing on the “big picture” can help you not only throw an amazing party, but also enjoy it.
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