This is a great time to dig your nice candlesticks out of storage and break out a real (or faux) silver platter. I add balloons to mark my front door and set the vibe so my guests know exactly where the New Year’s bash is if my loud music doesn’t give me away first. Hang a disco ball to transform your living room into the dance floor, and make sure to get some confetti noisemakers to pop off at midnight to officially celebrate New Year’s Day.
2. Plan the perfect menu
Few things are worse than going to a party without food, especially when the party goes on past midnight. Even if I’m not serving a fully seated dinner, I like to make sure my guests are well-fed with some appetizer-like dishes—think of it as a glammed-up version of “Girl Dinner.” Start with a huge assortment of imported cheeses and cured meat, then sprinkle in extras like sliced fresh baguette, seasonal fruit, and pickles to make it even more substantial. Serve it on butcher paper on the kitchen island for the easiest cleanup ever.
If you want to go all out, my latest obsession is a caviar-heavy spread complete with crème fraîche and homemade crispy potato chips.
Since everyone is coming over so late in the evening, a dessert-only menu is not only cute and novel, but it feels like an extra-special way to indulge during a sparkly night of celebration. A table of desserts to bring in good luck from around the world like Vasilopita cake from Greece, Bunuelos from Mexico, and Kransekage from Norway would be a sweet touch.
3. Sip on something sparkling
Champagne is the traditional NYE drink because it symbolizes abundance and prosperity—popping the cork on a bottle embodies a fresh start. While I love a flute filled with Champagne bubbly, I make sure to have other sparkling options like a gin fizz or Negroni sbagliato. If you’re feeling especially adventurous and want to go full The Great Gatsby, snag a few packs of glam coupe glasses to create your own decadent Champagne tower right in your living room. No matter what I’m serving, I always use my best crystal glasses on New Year’s Eve—or borrow them from my mother-in-law.
Making a signature batch-style cocktail means I’m not running back and forth from the kitchen shaking a martini for each individual guest all night. Plus, with a punch bowl situation, everyone can help themselves.
New Year’s Eve parties can get a reputation for being sloppy, but it is possible to have a totally nonalcoholic party without sacrificing the fun and elegance of sipping on a craft cocktail all night. It’s a great opportunity to start the new year without a morning-after hangover, and since so many people are exploring the sober-curious lifestyle, it’s a good idea to have a few NA beverage options on hand even if you plan to drink Champagne all night.
4. Keep everyone entertained with New Year’s Eve games
Listen, midnight can feel pretty late. And while food and drinks will keep all your guests occupied, it’s a good idea to also have a few party games and activities to also keep everyone occupied. Coordinate a trivia game of all the biggest events from the last year or a scavenger hunt through the apartment, or keep it simple with a games you can purchase ahead of time.
5. Make every moment a memory
Some might say I take the photo portion of the evening a little too seriously, but I say you can never have too many memories with your favorite people. I love to build a simple but statement-making balloon arch, but tinsel fringe foil also makes a great cheap and simple backdrop. I use the curtains in my living room as the focal point for my photo backdrop, and make this element the centerpiece of my decor. This works especially well if you live in a small apartment like I do (shoutout NYC living). Draping tinsel, balloons tied to ribbon, and even confetti streamers off of a curtain rod instead of taping and hanging everything against the walls saves time and minimizes setup. Adding a ring light creates the perfect photo atmosphere, and it’s even adjustable so they can fit their iPhone in and press the self timer. Think of it as an instant mini photoshoot area.
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