Heading out to party on New Year’s Eve isn’t always that easy these days. For a start, the cost involved can be prohibitive, particularly if you’re attending an organised event. You also have the huge crowds to deal with — and that’s IF you can get into the event in the first place.
As a result of these logistical challenges, more and more people are deciding to party at home these days. If you’re planning a New Year shindig this year, there are a few tips to follow that will ensure your house party is one to remember.
1. Ask your guests to bring their favourite drinks
If you’re having a few guests over for New Year, you could be looking at quite a substantial booze bill. One way of getting around this is by asking people to “bring a bottle”. Of course, what you really mean is “bring your own alcohol”.
2. Organise designated drivers
If you’ve ever tried to get a taxi in the early hours of New Year’s Day, you’ll know how challenging it can be. And there’s also the small matter of the huge premium taxi firms charge at this time of year. There may well be people attending your party who don’t drink, so ask if they’d be kind enough to take a few passengers when they head home.
3. Ask for help
A New Year’s Eve Party takes a lot of planning and execution. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help. You’ll have food and drink to buy, as well as glasses, cutlery crockery and decorations to organise. And don’t forget about the cleanup operation. A great way to enlist help is to organise a New Year’s Day brunch, to be preceded by a group cleanup party.
4. Think about disposables
Using real glass and crockery adds an element of class to any party. However, when the alcohol is flowing, it’s easy for these items to get smashed. And there’s always the washing up to think about the next day. By using paper and plastic plates and cups, your party may not be as elegant, but it will be a lot easier to manage.
5. Leave the Christmas decorations up
There’s no need to redecorate your home for New Year’s Eve at this time of year. Just make sure all your Christmas decorations remain up until at least January 2nd. This will save you an awful amount of time and money.
6. Keep things light
The last thing people want to be doing on such a raucous night of fun is sitting down to a group meal — particularly when the group is large. Instead, put on a spread of canapes and nibbles. That way, people can graze on the food over the course of the night. This should be cheaper, and it should help soak up some of the alcohol that will be ubiquitous throughout the night.
7. Create your own photo booth
You don’t need to hire an expensive photo booth to create the same sort of action at your party. Decorate a corner of a room, and give it a cool theme. Ask people to take turns as being the photographer. Use an instant camera to take the pics, so you can give them to people straight away. If you’re feeling particularly creative, you can add a few props and dressing up items.
8. Create a party playlist
Make a music playlist on your phone filled with upbeat party tunes — as well as the first song for the new year. Ask your friends and family for their suggestions as to what should be on the playlist. Of course, you’ll need to make sure you have a way of amplifying the tunes on the night.
9. Organise some games
During the early stage of your party, it might be a good idea to host a few group games. This is always a good idea if you have people at your party who are meeting for the first time. However, as the party progresses, the chances of your games succeeding will diminish — so schedule them for the first two hours. Parlour games and board games are usually a hit at house parties.
10. Organise a first footer
If you follow the tradition of having a first footer at New Year, choose who it’s going to be in advance. It might be someone who has had a particular tough year, or a neighbour with whom you’ve agreed to do the same.
The best parties tend to be those that are organic and take on a life of their own. Just a little planning should give your party the best chance of being a complete success
