With a whole year of memories behind you as well as exciting beginnings on the horizon, there’s no better time to throw an epic celebration than New Year’s Eve. But if you’re playing host this year rather than rocking up as a guest, you might be feeling the pressure a little bit. Not to worry though, as luckily for you, we’ve pulled together a guide filled with NYE party ideas, plus plenty of NYE party themes to help you with your planning!
From décor and drinks inspiration to game options and more, we’ve got you covered right down to the very last detail… So, all you’ll need to do is dive in, and prepare to pull off the party of the year.
Just quickly before we get started, if you’re heading to a New Year’s Eve party this year, you certainly can’t turn up empty-handed. So, to save you the hassle of searching for a new year card, we’ve gathered a selection of our fave designs below:
And if you’re struggling for ideas on what to jot down, you can take inspiration from our guide on what to write in a new year card. This is filled with comical as well as inspirational messaging!
How to host the ultimate New Year’s Eve party
So, the new year is quickly approaching, and you’ve been tasked with playing host for your family and friends. It’s alright, don’t freak out, as we like to think we know a thing or two about party planning. Below we’ve gathered our top tips on how you can ensure this New Year’s Eve is one for the memory books:
1.Pick the perfect venue and send out your invites
First things first, you’ll need to have a think about the scale of your party, for instance, are you going to take one for the team and throw a huge celebration? Or would you prefer to keep things more lowkey and enjoy an evening at home with your nearest and dearest?
If it’s an epic, all-out celebration you have in mind, you might want to think about renting a venue such as a restaurant, bar, or local event space. If so, venues sell out pretty early, so you’ll need to get your skates on to avoid disappointment! Alternatively, perhaps you’re hoping to throw a small yet special New Year’s Eve dinner at home? We’re thinking a night filled with delicious food, flickering pillar candles, and thoughtful handwritten menus.
Whatever the scale of your party, you’ll need to send out your invites with plenty of time to spare, letting your guests know the location, arrival time, plus any theme or dress code they’ll need to follow!
2. Settle on a theme and choose some décor
Next, it’s time to crack on with two key parts of the party planning: your theme (should you choose to have one) and your decorations! If you’re struggling for ideas, we’ve pulled together a little list of New Year’s party themes to help inspire you:
- All that glitters: Up first we have the option of throwing a classic New Year’s Eve celebration. We’re talking metallic star garlands, dazzling glittery streamers, and floating balloons galore. Oh, and of course, don’t forget to pick up plenty of party hats to help your guests get into the spirit!
- Disco theme: Sticking with the idea of bright, bold decorations, we’re thinking glitter balls, a huge dance floor, and a DIY photo booth (kitted out with retro costumes and props) to capture treasured memories.
- Masquerade ball: When it comes to New Year’s Eve party ideas for adults, we love the idea of a masquerade theme. For an evening of elegance, a gold and black colour scheme works particularly well, plus plenty of feathers and twinkling lights.
3. Don’t forget the food and drinks…
One of the best options when it comes to food at large get-togethers is a grazing platter, which guests can pick at throughout the evening. You could pull together a fancy charcuterie board or something a little simpler, either way, they’re bound to love the fact that they can grab a bite to eat whenever they like!
And for a smaller celebration, you might want to channel your inner chef and host a cosy dinner party. You could settle on a specific cuisine (perhaps a three-course Italian extravaganza), or create a personalised menu you know they’ll love.
Next, it’s time to turn your attention to drinks! We love the idea of a themed cocktail menu, perhaps featuring fun options such as midnight martinis. And, if you’re hosting at home, you could even set up a cocktail station where guests can come up with their own creations.
4. Create the ultimate NYE playlist
As the next task on your to-do list, you’ll need to start pulling together a playlist of well-loved tunes that will fill the room throughout the night.
You can enlist family and friends to help you with this one, or we love the idea of getting each guest to RSVP with their favourite song; this way you can create a tailored playlist that is bound to keep them dancing right into the new year!
5. Introduce some fun and games
Another way to keep the energy up all evening long is by throwing some fun party games into the mix. Plus, this will give you a chance to momentarily step back from your hosting duties and actually have fun.
There’s the classic option of a New Year’s Eve-themed bingo, perhaps elevated into a fun scavenger hunt around the venue. Or, there are of course the options of trivia and card games (both of which are bound to keep your guests entertained).
6. Remember those final finishing touches…
When it comes to New Year party ideas, taking some time to focus on the finer details can ensure that the evening is a truly memorable one. So, here are a couple of ideas to bear in mind when you’re in the midst of party planning.
First things first, how about setting up a little resolution station, perhaps in a quiet corner away from the chaos, where guests can write down their goals for the upcoming year? Simply set up a jar filled with blank pieces of paper, then place some pens nearby and encourage your guests to get writing!
Equally, it’s a great idea to send your guests away with a little party favour to remember the evening by. This could be a mini bottle of wine with a personalised label, or perhaps a small bag of chocolates that they can munch on after one too many midnight martinis? Either way, they’re bound to appreciate such a thoughtful gesture.
So, there we have it: our guide filled to the brim with New Year’s Eve party ideas and inspiration! From glittery decorations and cocktails to creating an epic playlist, there are a variety of things you can do to ensure a fun-filled night for everyone.
And oh, one final thing, don’t forget to have something planned for when the clock strikes twelve, perhaps an epic firework display or some sparklers and a champagne toast!
Finally, before you rush off to start your party planning, why not head over to the thortful blog for more fun insights? You could read about alternative New Year’s Eve celebrations, or dive into our guide on new year gifts.
