The bustling holiday season is coming to a close with the New Year right around the corner. This is a wonderful time to bring your loved ones together to reminisce and reflect on the past year and look forward to the next. A dinner party is a great way to gather friends and family to celebrate. Here are some tips on how to throw a NYE dinner party at home.
Decor
December is all about lights. Hang twinkle lights on the walls and if you have a Christmas tree, make sure to plug it in. Don’t forget candles. Use pillar candles with fairy lights wrapped around them for an enchanting centerpiece. Keep the lighting in your house dim to let the candles work their magic on the ambience.
Black and metallics are commonly used in NYE decor, but you can also come up with your own color palette to personalize your dinner party. Whatever color scheme you decide on, incorporate glitter and sparkle throughout your decor for a celebratory feel.
Who to Invite
For most dinner parties, I suggest keeping the invite list small, but for a NYE dinner party, I recommend expanding your invite list by a few people. Ten to twelve guests will keep the energy high without being overwhelming. Make sure to think about the guest dynamic. A good mix of personalities and a few new faces should keep the party lively and fun.
Food and Drink
Hors d’oeuvres are a great way to fill in time gaps between your guests arriving, dinner, and midnight. They will keep everyone full, energized, and happy. One option is a grazing table, so people can mingle and graze simultaneously. This table can feature a charcuterie board, dips, or any other snack.
Since New Year’s is a celebration, you’ll want to have something bubbly to sip. Champagne is a classic option, but sparkling cider is a great, non-alcoholic substitute. Have several bottles accessible and on ice for easy refills.
The Clock Countdown
Most NYE parties feature a countdown of some sort. Simple options are playing Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on a TV or a radio countdown turned on in the background. That way, your guests can tune in when they want to, but aren’t distracted during their conversations. In the last half hour or so before midnight, turn up the volume and count down together.
If you’re looking for less commentary and want to play your own music, set up your own countdown clock. There are many websites you can pull up from your smart TV or cast to your TV from your phone and computer.
Party Favors
A NYE dinner party should be a fun, energetic event. Give each guest a welcome bag full of goodies for the night’s festivities. Party hats, noise makers, and confetti poppers are all great options. This will set the tone for a night of laughter and cheer. And don’t forget to give those favors at the beginning of the evening, instead of the end!
Ring in the New Year among friends and family at your very own NYE dinner party and create a night to remember, full of memories to be told at the next celebration. How will you celebrate?
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