New Year's Eve at Your Place

Chelsea Pellegrino

Contributor

The countdown to "the countdown" has almost begun - but before you chill the champagne and break out the noisemakers, you have to decide which New Year's Eve party you're going to attend! To this, we say: "there's no place like home." 

That's right - you should throw a New Year's Eve bash of your very own! Since we're professionals at getting the party started, we have all the tips you need to throw the party of the (new) year.

Your Party, Your Style

The best part about throwing your own celebration is that you're in charge of setting the theme. Whether you'd prefer an elegant, upscale event (i.e. black tie dinner or cocktail party) or a casual, family friendly affair, the choice is up to you. Let guests know what theme to expect by sending out an informative invitation. Evite has a ton of beautiful invite choices, from fancy to fun.

 

Photo credit (Clockwise, from top left): BetterHomesandGardens.com, FancyFancyDay.com, FancyFancyDay.com, BusyBudgetingMama.com, PartyCity.com, FancyFancyDay.com

Decor

Once you've selected the style, you can get started choosing the decor. Black, silver, and gold make for an elegant color scheme, perfect for a dinner or cocktail party. Take a look at these beautiful black and white table settings from The Busy Budgeting Mama.

If you're sticking with a more laid-back or family friendly event, go with bright colors! This decor idea from Better Homes and Gardens is great inspiration for a colorful theme. Party City has a variety of tableware for either choice, as well as decorations and fun wearables for all your guests.

Feeling crafty? Fancy Fancy Day blog has instructions for some great New Year's Eve DIY projects. Check out the glitter candle, party hat and Tic-Tac label instructions here.   

Photo credit (Clockwise, from top left): Baby Cakes London, FoodandWine.com, PunchBowl.com, ConfessionsofaCookbookQueen.com, MarthaStewart.com

Dining

If you're going the route of a dinner party, you'll want to check out these recipes from FoodandWine.com, including mouth watering skirt steak and scallops with potato pancakes. For a cocktail party, head over to Punchbowl.com for a ton of great champagne cocktail recipes.

Of course, MarthaStewart.com has wonderful recipes for a family-friendly New Year's Eve dinner, like these brown sugar chicken wings pictures above.

But no matter what kind of party you're throwing, there's a kind of food that's always acceptable: dessert! We love the awesome sugar cookies pictured above, made by Baby Cakes in London, Ontario! Other adorable treats are these ball drop cupcakes from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen, also pictured above.

Entertainment 

If your guests are going to be partying 'til the new year, they'll need some entertainment to keep the energy level high. A live band or DJ will bring a unique touch to your event, while saving you the time and trouble of manning the MP3 player. Other cool entertainment options include a caricaturist, magician, or even a photo booth with fun party props.

Whether it be dancing or snapping silly photos, guests will appreciate having some kind of activity to break up the night. Be sure to book soon, as our members are quick to fill their calendars during the holiday season! We hope you've found the inspiration you need to host New Year's Eve at home!