There’s no better way to wrap up the holiday season than by throwing a great end-of-the-year party. When it comes to New Year’s Eve, there are a ton of great ways to throw a fun, budget-friendly party from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re keeping the party intimate with a few friends or inviting everyone you know, here are some ways to end the year with a bang.
Set up some decorations
The new year is typically associated with black, gold, and silver. Whichever combination of colors you choose, pick a color scheme and stick to it. Black and gold are bold and traditional colors that never go out of style, while silver is great for making your decor bright and flashy.
Before the party, invite some friends over to help set up decorations and make party favors. Try making your own confetti using a paper punch or hanging gold and silver garland over your doorways. Additionally, you can find inexpensive full sets of matching party balloons online that can be used to spell out an inspirational phrase (think along the lines of “new year, new me”).
Confetti cannons are ideal for throwing a New Year’s Eve party that won’t break the bank. Every New Year’s Eve party requires a plan for when the clocks strikes midnight, and confetti cannons are perfect for commemorating the special moment. Prior to the party, pick up some New Year’s Eve themed confetti cannons (like mini champagne party poppers), which release silver and gold confetti. Companies like Premier Glow are great for finding these sorts of party accessories.
Choose your outfit
Deciding what you’re going to wear beforehand will help eliminate stress the night of the party As the host of the party, you should look polished and put together. To minimize buyer’s remorse, remember to buy an outfit that fits into your existing wardrobe. But in general, you shouldn’t worry too much about what to wear because you don’t have to worry about leaving the house.
As the host, you’ll want to stand out. Wear flashy jewelry, your favorite pair of heels (you can take them off whenever you want), and a loud, eccentric dress. You’ll be answering the door to let guests in and setting the mood for the party, so wear something that creates a memorable first impression. This is your party, so the dress code and theme is completely up to you.
Decide what to serve
Hosting a New Year’s Eve party requires a variety of tasty finger foods and appetizers to serve your guests. Pick a few recipes that pair a cocktail and are stress-free to prep. Bruschetta, honey garlic meatballs, and cranberry pecan cheese balls are all great ideas for party-friendly foods.
Since no end-of-the-year party is complete without drinks, make sure to keep your mini bar stocked with a variety of cocktail essentials, like mixers and fruit, to keep all your guests happy. Serve a few signature drinks at the party (remember, Champagne isn’t for everyone), and allow guests to make their own drinks. In order to stay stocked on alcohol throughout the night and keep your guests pleased, make sure to check out your local liquor store or even an alcoholic beverage distributor in advance.
Plan activities
To amp up the fun, plan a few drinking games for your party. Simple party games like charades, “sip and flip”, and “drink if” are perfect for allowing your guests to get to know each other better. You should also plan out what you’re going to do when the clock strikes midnight: should everyone watch the ball drop on television, should you host your own countdown, or should everyone take a shot to ring in the New Year?
All in all, New Year’s Eve is about reflecting on the past year and preparing to ring in the new one. Since you only get to celebrate New Years’ Eve once per year, it’s important to focus on having fun with friends and loved ones.