Free Image via Unsplash
As anyone who has ever thrown a New Year’s Eve party will tell you, it is the most festive night of the year – with the most festive of partiers. Corks are popped, songs are sung, and loved ones are hugged and kissed as the world celebrates the passing of one year to the next. Of course, the fact that most New Year’s Eve parties are expected to stretch well past the midnight countdown means hosts have to be well-equipped to serve guests over the long-haul. And their entertainment and décor choices better be up to the challenge.
If you’re wondering how New Year’s Eve party hosting in a small home works, how to decorate for New Year’s Eve, how to make your party vibe match your guest list or all of the above, we’ve got you, fam. Read on for more info about ringing in the next 365 days with style – whether you’re throwing a massive party for kids and adults or having just a little shindig with a friend or two. After all, New Year’s Eve (and a New Year’s Eve party) only comes around once a year. You’ll want to be sure to make the most of it, both for yourself and your partygoers.
To throw a truly fantastic get-together, you must first start with a plan. Who will you host? Where will you host it? What will you do for food and drinks? Will there be a theme? How about entertainment? Deciding on the scope of your New Year’s Eve party well in advance will ensure you have the time and resources necessary to do it right.
Probably the most important aspect of any party is the guest list. A New Year’s Eve party is no different – especially if you’re hosting in a small apartment or home. First and foremost, you’ll need to determine if it’s going to be a party for kids, adults, or both. Once you know that, it will be much easier to make choices about food, drinks, décor, and activities.
Three Types of New Year’s Eve Partygoers
Free Image via Unsplash
Adults: Because your guests will be consenting adults, these get-togethers can be made to order – from your standard, no holds barred, dusk-to-dawn New Year’s Eve party to a pre-game before hitting up bars or clubs elsewhere in your city to an elegant dinner and paired wine affair. Or anywhere in between. Consider what would be most appealing for you and your friends and make your plans from there. Don’t forget to stock up on hangover remedies for favors.
Kids: A kids-only affair is much different, but no less festive, than an adults-only get-together. Make sure you’ve got plenty of soda (or sparkling cider) and plastic glasses for “toasting,” along with all of the noisemakers, hats, and sunglasses you can find. Kids often like to watch the ball drop (although some have trouble staying up that late), so make sure to set up a cozy nook in front of the TV for your guests. Chances are many will end up falling asleep, so be sure to have plenty of pillows and blankets at the ready.
Adults and Kids: Mixed adult and kids parties can be the most fun of them all, as long as you make sure to have separate spaces for the two groups. For instance, adults can socialize with their friends in the living room and kitchen while the kids get rowdy in the basement. This way, each group will be able to hang out with their peers for the duration of the New Year’s Eve party – and then come together as the clock strikes. Depending on the number of children you’re expecting, it might make sense to hire a babysitter to manage the crowd. That way, both you and their parents will be able to truly relax and enjoy the evening.
After you’ve finalized the guest list, the next step is figuring out what New Year’s Eve activities you would like to offer guests at your event. Some of our favorites include:
Free Images via Unsplash
- Make Your Own Cocktail or Mocktail Bar – Stocked with spirits, mixers, and garnishes, the DIY cocktail bar gives your guests the freedom to mix their own drinks and maybe even try out a few new recipes. (If you’re having a New Year’s Eve party for kids, swap the adult beverages with ice cream and toppings.)
- Photo Booth Fun – Set up a backdrop and grab some props for guest to use and voila! A makeshift photo booth. Make sure you see all the shots by giving guests a dedicated hashtag to use on social media.
- Karaoke – All you need to sing the night away is a karaoke machine (or a subscription to a karaoke app), a decent sound system, and two microphones (all the better for those Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duets). Ask your guests for song requests ahead of time to streamline the show.
- Dance til You Drop – Roll up the rugs, push the furniture to the sides of the room, and crank the stereo: it’s time for a dance party. To guarantee maximum participation, invest in a cheap strobe light and make sure your playlists are on point.
- Fun & Games – Whether it’s a murder mystery, charades, scavenger hunt, or beer pong, games and get-togethers go hand in hand. Plan something special for your guests’ enjoyment. It will give a little structure to the evening, and serve as a great icebreaker.
After finalizing who you’ll invite and what you’ll do, the next step is determining how to decorate for New Year’s Eve. Hosting a party this close to Christmas can be especially challenging if you still have Santa decorations or gifts out on display. But with a few quick swaps, and a little zhuzhing up, your spot can sparkle with the best of ‘em – even if you’re hosting in a small home or apartment.
How to Decorate for New Year’s Eve
Free Image via Unsplash
New Year’s Eve party decorations don’t have to go overboard. You want to make the space festive and welcoming but altering it too much can be quite exhausting directly following Christmas.
If you haven’t had the chance to store your holiday decorations, we suggest taking down everything that’s green, red, or focused on Santa. Leave any festive interior lights up, and add in flameless candles for even more ambiance. You’ll also likely want to take down your tree for more room, especially if you’re hosting in a small home.
Next, add back in anything that sparkles, shines, or reflects. Think gold and silver, along with disco balls, glow sticks, glitter, and sequins. Embrace the glamor and excitement of the evening with your décor.
Last but not least, make sure you’ve got plenty of plates, napkins, and glassware for your guests. Plastic champagne flutes are great for kids to play with, but you might want to invest in something a bit heftier if you’re planning a midnight toast for grownups. This piece by Good Housekeeping about how to decorate for New Year’s Eve has some more great tips, along with links to buy the items directly.
However your New Year’s Eve party unfolds, remember to relax and have fun. You’re throwing a party to have a good time with your friends and family, so don’t let any small worry get in the way of achieving that. You’ve got a new year to ring in, after all!
