Time again to ring in a new year, and whether you're keeping it close with a few friends and family, or planning a roaring bash to greet 2020, here are some tips and ideas to celebrate the New Year with a bang.
Make your house festive: Choose a theme to help set the mood and pull the evening together. Themes can offer hints for the types of food to serve, the sort of music to play, and what sort of decorations to use.
There are endless themes to choose from: a simple and classic black and white gala, with decorations and guests decked out in black and white; welcome the roaring 20s in a Hollywood-style party; or add an international flair by including traditions and foods from others countries.
If you aren’t going with a theme, include some simple signature decorations that are fun yet easy to clean up.
Cindy MacDonald, a caterer at the Bridgetown, NS venue Temple On Queen, says her simple rules for planning memorable parties include planning and preparing well ahead of time, as well as keeping the menu simple with easy and delicious food choices prepared ahead of time.
“Prep the buffet table beforehand, use a statement decoration like a large vase, or bowl with fruit, arrange the plates, and cutlery in a bowl or basket, ´she said. “Set up a bar table for refreshments away from the buffet table, this creates two gathering spaces for people. Label the punch bowls to indicate which is with and without alcohol.”
Make sure that there is plenty of food and drinks for your guests. Plan a snack table filled with finger foods, a selection of various fruits and veggies, chips, dip, tortilla chips, and a light sampling of fruit. A chocolate fondue fountain is a great way for your guests to share dessert, and so are chocolate-covered strawberries, she says.
In terms of drinks, depending on your budget and guest list, offer a selection of non-alcoholic beverages such as non-alcoholic punches, fruit juices, pop, tea, and coffee are often ideal. Champagne is often a signature addition to most New Year’s Eve parties, along with a selection of beer and wines (red and white).
Plan your music ahead of time with a play list on iPod that features songs to fit your theme, or to celebrate a few of the top hits from the past 10 years. Don’t forget to mingle the traditional “Auld Lang Syne,” with the likes of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl,” Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well,” or anything by Drake.
People enjoy noisemakers, hats, and tiaras, so be sure to have a few around. Kids can make their own noisemakers with a bit of glue and sparkle. Swap out regular light bulbs with pink ones to create a softer effect in your home or use flameless LED candles to set a soft mood.
Now that the party is prepped, there are simple ways to make overnight guests comfortable without inconveniencing the household. Christine Buiteman, a former event planner who is now a Halifax-based interior designer, recommends setting up a morning after ‘serve yourself’ coffee, tea, and beverage area separate from your main kitchen.
“Keeping the kitchen free of constant traffic makes entertaining easier,” she said. “Don’t try to do it all. You’re not running a hotel. When guests ask what they can do to help, they really do want to know. Time spent talking and laughing together, tidying the kitchen after a big family gathering, creates more memories than going it solo.”
DIY NOISE MAKERS
If you’re looking for a fun and non-fireworks way to bring in the New Year, these DIY Noise Makers are a fun way to give the kids a little crafting project that they can put to good use on New Year’s Eve.
Supplies:
- Large wavy craft sticks
- Large silver jingle bells
- Curly Christmas bows
- Hot glue/hot glue gun
- Craft paint
- Clear silver craft paint
- Paint brush
Directions: Lay out a piece of newspaper and paint your craft sticks black and let dry.
Carefully hot glue the top of one jingle bell to the top of the glittered craft stick and hold it in place until dry.’
Pull out two curly ribbons from your bow and glue one silver and one gold right below the jingle bell.
PARTY GAMES
One way to keep everyone entertained throughout the evening are games. Whether its old-fashioned boardgames or New Year’s-themed games, party games can be a great ice breaker to get conversations started. Here are some suggestions:
Two Resolutions and a Lie
If your party is bogging down, try Two Resolutions and a Lie to liven things up. Each guest presents three resolutions, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. As each guest takes turns sharing theirs, the other guests try to discern which two are true and which is the lie. If you wish, you can have guests keep track of their guesses and award a prize to the one with the most correct.
Song Matching
As guests arrive, ask them to write the first few lines of a song on a long slip of paper. Cut the slips in half and save for later. Whenever the party seems to lag, pass out the slips and tell your guests to find the person holding the slip with the lyric that matches theirs. The first couple to do so wins the game.
Guess the Number
Have a large glass jar or bowl filled with counted pieces of candy, small stones, or marbles. Provide small slips of paper for guests to write name along with their best guess of how many candies are in the jar. At the end of the party, chose the guest with the closest guess. Present the bowl and its contents to the winner.
