A Perfect New Year's

Invitations

More than likely, the invitations to your party have already been sent to everyone on your guest list, but we want to remind you that if you’ve only sent invites in one format, some people may not know about the party. Don’t leave anyone out! Multiple methods of invitations are required (technology being what it is these days). Remember to also send personalized emails and make phone calls to those people that aren’t as easy to get a hold of via routes like Facebook or regular mail.

While still on the subject of invitations, if your guest list includes people from different areas of your life, such as colleagues as well as neighbours, then allowing people to bring a guest or a date is essential so your guests feel more comfortable. Don’t forget to ask people to RSVP and let them know about any special dress codes. The more relaxed the better. Also, be straight forward in letting people know what they can bring. This includes children if a lot of your guests have young families and you opt for a child-friendly atmosphere. Might we also suggest thinking beyond drinks and refreshments, and requesting people bring reusable dinnerware, serving dishes, and glasses to reduce the need for disposable items?

Decorations

Depending on how festive of a group you’re expecting, a great New Year’s party is doable with minimal decorations, ensuring more of your budget and planning are put towards what matters most – the food and drink. However, here are some ideas for simple New Year's party decorations that you may like to try:

Simple touches like small strings of coloured or tiny white Christmas tree lights can set the right tone, as can brightly coloured ribbons, paper chains, and streamers. Consider filling balloons with confetti (use a funnel) to pop at midnight for some extra celebrating, or write fortunes on small slips of paper and put one into each balloon. For more functional decorating, make a large copy of the famous song lyrics that are sung at midnight Auld Lang Syne and hang up so guests will be able to sing all the words when midnight comes.
And for more symbolic decorations, go for things that bring good fortune, like horseshoes that mean good luck (only when hung the right way so the luck doesn’t fall out), and floral touches, which can symbolize wealth and good career prospects or rebirth and new growth.

Music

Of course, music is essential to any party. The right soundtrack can inject fun and excitement into a party of any size. It can make a group of 20 feel as energetic as a group of 100. The key factor about music is to always allow for requests from guests, and be able to accommodate most of them. Keep a variety of playlists on hand. People are more likely to sing and dance only if the music is familiar, therefore, a New Year’s party isn’t the time to play your friend’s new song collection. Stick with what you know, even if it’s cliché. It is ideal if you can designate one person to take on the role as DJ so that the music is more or less in the background and unnecessary starts and stops are kept to a minimum.

Refreshments

A lot of people’s holiday budgets have been modified due to the shaky economy, so refreshments may be better left as a group effort. Do take people up on their offers of bringing some yummy treats, but as the host, you will also be responsible for providing the basics, like chips, dips, sweets, and veggies platters. A good practice is to make a list and check it twice against a predetermined budget before arriving at the store.  Another essential item to provide is a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers or people who otherwise aren't  drinking alcohol. This stuff also doubles as drink mixes! Most importantly, don’t forget the champagne to toast with at midnight. Cheers!