Tips for Throwing a Last Minute New Year’s Eve Party

Have you just decided to host a New Year's Eve party? Below are tips for throwing a last-minute New Year's Eve Party.

If your good intentions of planning ahead were foiled by the busy holiday season and you find yourself throwing together a last minute New Year’s Eve Party, don’t be dismayed! There still plenty of ways to plan a fun and festive shindig that will have guests reminiscing about it far into the New Year. Here are my Tips for Throwing a Last Minute New Year's Eve Party.

Tips for Throwing a Last Minute New Year’s Eve Party

Invite meaningful company vs. more company. The people that are invited are much more important than money or time spent on the party! New Year’s Eve should be spent with your favorite group of friends—people you hope will continue to play a big role in your life in the coming year. Chances are, if you don’t have other plans for the night, neither do they. Don’t worry about whether you have a large guest list or small; quality over quantity is key! Invite guests to come ring in the New Year via a phone call or email. After all, there isn’t time for a more formal invitation, and if they are your good friends, they will understand.

Give yourself permission to simplify, but not sacrifice on style. Being able to be a guest at your own party and join in the celebration far outweighs the need for lavish decorations or fancy food. First, plan on a later party start time (I suggest 9 p.m.). With a party already slated to go past midnight, you’ll still have plenty of entertaining hours ahead of you. A later start time means guests will have already eaten dinner. Now that you’re off the hook for a full meal, you can focus the menu on easily prepared lighter fare. Finger foods, bite-sized desserts, and appetizers are perfect! Cook up a few crowd favorites and supplement with store-bought items. Don’t be afraid to invite guests to bring an appetizer or dessert to share.

Add a dash of elegance to your refreshments. Consider preparing individual-sized portions displayed in small dessert cups and appetizer dishes or lined up on platters. Add festive tinsel topped toothpicks to bite-sized favorites or simple garnish such as champagne grapes, parsley, and lettuces.

Set up a self-serve bar. Whether you serve mocktails or cocktails, setting a self-serve beverage bar with plenty of glasses, napkins, paper straws, ice and drink choices will free you to enjoy the party.

Add a few traditional NYE staples. Party hats, noisemakers, and confetti can all be easily purchased at your local party store! Increase the festive vibe by incorporating over-sized clocks, either real or printable, tissue tassel garland and balloons. Create ambiance by lighting and displaying candles all over your home.

Set the party mood with music. Play favorite hits from the last year or tune in to a popular New Year’s Eve countdown on a local radio or television station. Dancing, card and board games, and year-end trivia are always fun too!

Be ready to celebrate when the clock strikes midnight. Have your choice of beverage chilling in prepared glasses in the fridge.

Printable New Year's Resolutions and Reflections

Print out copies of this New Year's Resolutions and have them on a side table with a pen holder filled with pens, so guests can take a moment to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the new year.