8 Simple Tips for Hosting a Spirited New Year's Eve Party

Show of hands - who's hosting a NYE soiree? Throwing a great party isn't easy, and it can feel overwhelming to plan yet another thing coming off of the hustle and bustle of Christmas. To help, I've compiled 8 simple tips to help you both host and enjoy a night to remember for friends and family.

Tip #1

Actually Be Present At Your Party.

Nothing is worse than going to a party where the host is so busy working that you don't get to visit with them, and you certainly don't feel like they're enjoying themselves. I know I've been guilty of this when hosting. My top tip for anyone hosting a party is to prep everything you can in advance, don't do it all yourself (grab items from your favorite bakery or restaurant), decorate the morning of, and choose to serve things that don't require a heavy-hand during the party. Be present with your guests, and enjoy your own party. You won't regret it.

Tip #2

Decorate With Impact: Pick Your Color Scheme.

One of the most important factors in creating a party to remember is to give your guests an "oh wow!" moment when they enter. Your friends have decided to ring in the New Year at your place - so let's give them a beautiful place to celebrate in. This doesn't necessarily mean spending big bucks and hours decorating every square inch of your space. One of the easiest ways to make your space feel pulled together is to pick a color scheme for the night. I have two "go to" color schemes that I love: Black, White, Gold and Red or Black, White Gold and Green.

While these are my faves, you can pick any colors that you love and that work best for your space. I recommend picking two or three colors as your base (e.g. black and white) and then one color as your accent (e.g. red or green). Once you decide on your color scheme and commit to it, suddenly everything comes together beautifully.

HOW TO BRING IT TO LIFE: don't overthink it. It's the small details.

Decorate the areas where your guests will be - the kitchen, dining room, bar. Wherever there is food, drink, or activity - focus there. You don't have to decorate your entire living space. Do a few spaces well and you'll nail it. Expert tip: Don't forget to add a simple touch to the bathroom like a colorful candle or flowers.
Use a table cloth, a runner, or even a placemat in your base color(s) to cover both your food table and your bar area.
Grab some pretty flowers in your accent color at the market. My go-to for cheap and beautiful blooms is Trader Joe's or a local farmers market. I also love Trader Joe's for grabbing extra greenery to decorate the food table, the bathroom, or anywhere else.
Pick up a fun garland like this one or make your own and hang it over the food area (where people tend to congregate) for some festive fun.
Balloons aren't just for kiddie parties. I LOVE adding oversized or brightly colored balloons to any party for instant pizzaz.
Pick up cute color and/or patterned paper plates (like these), cocktail napkins, and even cute plasticware which works well for large gatherings and will save you the clean-up the next day. Yes, you can absolutely have a great party with plastic and paper goods! If you go this path, a few notes for making it work:
Don't scrimp. Get the good stuff, and make sure it fits the color scheme.
Get two sizes of plates, even if you're just serving apps. It adds both visual interest and gives your guests options when they want to fill up their plate.
Be sure to put out a recycling bin for guests - in a non conspicuous space - to cut down on waste.
Don't lay your plasticware flat on the food table - place them inside short glass vases or even drinking glasses to add visual interest.
Last tip: after everything is laid out, dim the lights and add a few tea light candles to the space to add an intimate glow.

Tip #3

Have a Signature Cocktail.

A signature cocktail makes a get-together feel instantly formal and festive! Have a little fun with it - pick something with personality and something that is easy to make. Give it a personal name that makes it memorable to you and your party. Here's a list of great holiday cocktails to get your inspired. A few tips for pulling off the signature cocktail with ease:

Make it self service, so no one’s reliant on you. Put out an ice bucket and all of the ingredients needed, alongside instructions for making the drink, printed and tucked inside of a picture frame.
And great garnishes to make the self-service bar fun and hands-on, and to allow guests to customize their drink.
Buy cute plastic glasses to avoid hand washing and broken glass. I love these.
In addition to your signature drink, set out a bottle of red and white wine, and some beer. Also set out a party bucket or bowl full of bottled water.
Add two cute folded bar towels to your bar area. People will spill and splash - leaving these out means they can clean up after themselves without creating a scene.

Tip #4

Build A Charcuterie Board.

I love parties where there is a table full of food that guests can nibble on at their own pace. A beautiful charcuterie board is one of the most impactful and EASY items you can serve. Pick up some cheese, meats, olives, nuts and fruits and get to work!

Pick a beautiful base: a slate or marble tray, or bamboo cutting board all work great.
Pick a least three different types of cheese that provide a variety of tastes and textures.
Select a few different meats - prosciutto, spicy soppressata, and a dry salami are sure-fire crowd pleasers.
Select at least two different crackers and consider adding small toasts or sliced baguette.
Add seasonal and dried fruit like grapes, figs, apricots, pear.
Add a brined item like small pickles, onions or olives to add a salty bite that goes great with meats.
Add a spread or two - rich jams and organic honey are my favorite.
Sprinkle your favorite nuts around the edges of your cheese and fruit - almonds and cashews are great choices.
Last tip: label your meats and cheeses! It makes the board easier to navigate for guests.

Tip #5

Craft The Ultimate Party Playlist.

Music is a major part of every party we host (and not just because my hubby is a musician). It can immediately set the tone when your first guests arrive, and keep the energy going all night. For New Year's, let's can the Christmas music (it's time) and instead take the time to craft a playlist that will deliver the mood you're going for - from jazz, to 80's pop, to 90's hip-hop and everything in between - and make it your own. Be mindful that the long-jam out or heavy scream core that you love in your car, might not be best for a party; think about the group, the tone, and the energy of the night and go from there. Don't know where to start? Summon Alexa or Pandora to do the curating for you. Some of our favorite party-ready channels on Pandora:

Hipster Cocktail Party
Classic Soul BBQ
Cool Jazz
Class of 93 Hip Hop

Tip #6

Prep An Activity.

While I love to just let friends mingle, cocktails flow, and to see where the night goes, I always have at least one activity on the sidelines in case the party hits a lull. For me, it's normally a game like trivia, Cards Against Humanity, What Do You Meme? or anything that gets us laughing and bonding. Have a more adventurous group of friends? Why not surprise them with karaoke? There are tons of great apps and even On Demand services from most cable providers that work awesome! Only rule? No video posts of anyone's memorable performances without permission. :)

Tip #7

Create a Photo Booth.

Designate a space in your pad for commemorative photos. First, pick out well-lit white wall with ample space. Then, add some decor in your colors such as balloons, a banner, streamers, or any fun NYE decor you find to the space. Don't forget to add the props!

Tip #8

Add A Festive Touch!

It's NYE! That countdown to midnight should feel special. Surprise your friends and family with a small festive touch to commemorate the moment the 15 minutes before the clock strikes midnight. Special doesn't have to mean complicated; I love handing out something special to wear (for all those pics!), and something special to drink. Some thought starters:

To Wear:

To Drink: