10 New Year’s Eve Party Pointers
New Year’s Eve celebrations get an extra boost from a well-planned party.
Many people consider New Year’s
Day the unofficial end of the holiday
season. That often means that
New Year’s Eve is an opportunity to socialize,
gather and party one final time before
returning to the routines of daily life.
The first known instance of New Year’s
celebrations can be traced to around 2,000
B.C. in the region of Mesopotamia. Celebrants
were gathering in March, rather than
January, as this was the time of the vernal
equinox, when the darkness of winter subsided
and agricultural life could begin anew.
As individuals count down the days until
New Year’s Eve festivities, these planning
tips can make the celebrations occasions to
remember.
1. Consider a theme. Everyone who is
anyone is having or attending a NYE party.
Let your event stand out from the throngs
of others with a theme. Guests can come
dressed as dynamic duos (like Mario and
Luigi) or the party can evoke a bygone era,
such as the roaring 1920s. Let guests know
what they can do to play the part.
2. Start late. You do not want guests wiped
out by the time midnight arrives. Therefore,
start the party at around 9 or 10 p.m. and
anticipate it lasting into the wee hours of
the morning.
3. Tailor drinks to the season. Utilize seasonal
ingredients when crafting drinks, or
serve drinks that are expected this time of
year, such as a boozy eggnog or cranberry
Moscow mules.
4. Provide various activities. Plan fun activities
during the party. Offer card games or
board games to give guests something to do.
Karaoke or group activities like trivia also
can spread out the fun.
5. Beverages should be accessible. Unless
you are hiring a bartender who will be on
call to pour drinks, having drinks ready to go
is a smart idea. In addition to cans/bottles of
beer or malt beverages, have ready-togo
mixed drinks available by selecting a signature
drink and preparing a bulk batch.
6. Curate a winning playlist. Ask guests to
submit a list of their favorite tunes so you
can create a collection of songs that will ebb
and flow with the evening’s events. Be sure
to include some sing-a-long favorites like
“Don’t Stop Believin” or “Tiny Dancer.”
7. Offer self-serve foods. Much like having
drinks ready to go, make foods accessible as
well. Finger foods and bite-sized morsels will
not require guests to carry plates, reducing
the chances for spillage. Sliders, miniature
quiches and dessert shooters should suffice.
8. Tie decorations into the theme. Classic
New Year’s Eve decorations include balloons,
streamers and confetti. Think about
a very festive balloon arch or backdrop that
also can serve as a place to pose for photo
opportunities.
9. Offer takeaway gifts for designated
drivers. Encourage guests to stay sober and
volunteer for designated driving duties by
offering prizes. Ideas include gift cards to
coffee shops or restaurants.
Or better yet, keep the guest list limited to
those in your local neighborhood within
walking distance. It’s also advisable to offer
a spare room or living room floor for sleeping,
in case a guest is not able to get home
safely.
10. Be ready for midnight. Have a large
television at the ready to show the midnight
countdown and start pouring champagne
roughly 20 minutes before midnight to ensure
all glasses are full when the clock strikes 12.
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