How to Throw a Last Minute New Years Party
After all the holiday stress, you deserve to have some fun!
If you still don’t have any big New Years plans, it’s not too late to organize something yourself! Contrary to what you may think, throwing your own party doesn’t have to be stressful – it can actually be fun! You can find tons of ideas and inspiration online, and a majority of party necessities such as the décor can be made yourself, so there’s no need to worry about breaking the bank. The best thing to do is start with a game plan to make sure you don’t forget anything. Figure out what foods and beverages you plan on serving, what games and entertainment you want to provide, and what type of music you want to play. As long as you have a plan beforehand, things will run a lot smoother and you’ll have more time to enjoy yourself. If the holiday stress overwhelmed you and prevented you from planning something sooner, here are some tips on How to Throw a Last Minute New Years Party.
DÉCOR
Everyone knows how important first impressions are and that’s why it’s important to spend extra time making sure your décor is perfect. Save a few bucks and head to your local dollar store rather than a party store. There’s tons of different ways to decorate, so get creative!
- Grab some black, white, and gold balloons, blow them up, and fill them with colorful confetti. Hang them around the house and once midnight comes give one to each person to pop (décor and entertainment – a double whammy!)
- Go online and find some free printables. You can find anything from banners, to party hats, to signs to hang on your walls.
- String some icicle lights around for an easy way to add a little extra sparkle.
DRINKS
It’s no secret that champagne is a staple item when it comes to New Years, but you don’t have to stick to just that! There are tons of recipes online whether you’re looking for mixed drinks or fruity non-alcoholic spritzers. Pick 2 or 3 recipes to try out and let your guests decide for themselves which one they like best!
- Champagne floats not only taste delicious – they look pretty too! This Voveti Raspberry Champagne Float Recipe only calls for 3 ingredients and adds a sweet touch to your night!
- Make sure you have non-alcoholic beverages for the non-drinkers and any possible pregnant partygoers! These Strawberry Margarita Mocktails are the perfect go to when you’re craving a fruity cocktail but prefer to skip the alcohol.
- For the kids, make sure you purchase some sparking grape juice, so they can participate in the New Years toasts. Or if you have extra time, try this Kid Friendly Cotton Candy Drink Recipe.
FOOD
The best route to take when serving food at your party is to opt for a few different appetizers and finger foods rather than having to prepare a full meal. Between people drinking and staying up late a full meal will be too heavy, plus preparing appetizers is easier, quicker, and leaves you with more time to enjoy yourself!
- Cheese and crackers are always an easy and delicious route to take when it comes to providing your guests with snacks. You can find already prepared cheese and cracker platters at your local supermarket, or purchase some blocks of cheese and boxes of crackers and make your own!
- You can never go wrong when it comes to chips and dip. This French Onion Dip with Dill is perfect for any vegans that may be attending your party, and for the meat eaters, nothing’s better than a spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip.
- To make things even easier for yourself, ask each guest to bring their favorite appetizer. It saves you money, prep time, and you’ll know each guest is guaranteed to have at least one food to snack on that they like.
ENTERTAINMENT
Everyone expects to be entertained when they go to a party, and it’s easier than you think to guarantee your guests have a night filled with laughter and memories they’ll never forget. Set up some tables within your party space for some board games and card games, and once your guests loosen up you can even break out the karaoke machine!
- Photo booths are great because not only do they entertain your guests, they also provide them with a fun party favor to remember the night! You can make your own DIY Photo Booth Backdrops and print out some cute Photo Props to make your pictures even more fun!
- An easy way to entertain kids is to print out coloring pages or give them a New Years Eve Word Search and give a small prize to whoever finishes first.
- To get the whole party involved, organize a big game of charades or trivia. You can set a theme to follow, or think of questions that have to do with a number of different categories.
Most importantly, make sure you have your TV all ready to go so the whole party can watch the ball drop once it hits midnight! Pass out noisemakers, hats, and DIY Confetti Poppers, and welcome in the New Year surrounded by good company, laughter, and timeless memories.