Once the excitement of Christmas is done, the next big occasion looms – the largest one of the year, as well as, the first and last – New Years Eve.
This year, why not take the plunge and plan a party all on your own? With these DIY ideas for anything from ice-breaking activities to décor, you’ll have no dramas throwing a memorable – champagne notwithstanding – event.
Here are some Essential Tips For a NYE Party:
1. Ice-breaking Ideas
Especially important if your guests don’t know each other well, ice-breaking activities are an often overlooked aspect of NYE party planning. While the term “ice-breaking activity” evokes images of networking events, these can be quirky and fun without the cheese factor.
Consider a “resolution wall”; a large sheet of butcher’s paper and some pens, have guests write their resolutions for the following year (and if you have a follow up party the next year, see if any of them are kept!)
2. Food
Planning ahead is the best way to get out of the hosting nightmare of being stuck in the kitchen – bite-sized finger food can be left on platters, with accompanying serviettes, and replenished as required.
Alternatively get everyone to bring a plate to share on small bites, this way it’s not all down to you plus you won’t have the financial burden. Then to relieve yourself of making sure platters up topped up and serving, you could hire and Airtasker to help you with this and also the dreaded cleaning up.
A BBQ or buffet is also a great solution for a more informal celebration. Everyone can help themselves when they feel like. There are catering services that you could get for this, or again get people to BYO.
3. Drinks
Tricky – and dependent on your budget, and the drinking habits of your guests! It goes without saying that all should have a glass of bubbles in their hand for the clock-strike.
Source: jakomang
Beyond that, some ideas include having guests bring a bottle – not unreasonable, especially if you’re on a budget and already organizing food. Alternatively ask everyone to put money in to buy the drinks.
Alternatively, consider a fruit punch – packed with as much or little alcohol as your wallet allows. Communal so guests can help themselves, and refreshing in the warm weather!
It goes without saying – provide plenty of water and non-alcoholic beverages for the drivers and non-drinkers amongst your friends.
And don’t forget the ice.
4. Decor
Even if your party is in your lounge or back yard, it can be transformed easily using some fairly basic do-it-yourself décor ideas. Balloons, streamers, themed napkins are all easy enough to do; just pick a colour theme that suits your personality and house and go for broke.
Source: Style Motivation
Alternatively, pick a date theme – Great Gatsby, or 50’s Tiki Party, these can influence your food, drinks and décor. Also great as an icebreaker and starting point for conversations!
Don’t forget:
– A clock in a central location is important
– A screen to watch the fireworks and sparklers to hand out to your guests.
5. Enjoy yourself!
As host of a NYE party, it’s easy to get so caught up with making sure everybody is enjoying themselves that the night flies by in a harried rush of re-filling glasses and replacing canapés.
If you plan ahead, there’s no reason to stress the minor details – at the end of the day, or year, it’s the company that people will remember, not the sprigs of basil on your Crostini. So pour yourself a champagne, make a resolution you’ll forget, and have fun.
