Throwing an Unforgettable New Year’s Eve Party

New Year’s Eve is usually the culmination of a busy month of family gatherings, parties, and other social events. It’s the last big hurrah before things settle back to our regular routines. That’s why New Year’s Eve parties are a big deal all around the world. Everyone wants to ring in new opportunities and change with a bang.

While you might think of Times Square in New York City as the quintessential event for the night, it’s not the only way to have a memorable and fun New Year’s Eve. You can throw an amazing party in your own home and invite your friends and family to a special evening. Here’s our guide to helping you throw an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party at home.

Decorate with a Classic Theme

The first thing your guests will notice when they arrive at your New Year’s Eve party is your decor. You don’t have to go all out or spend a lot, but having a clear theme with help set the mood and impress your partygoers.

Some timeless New Year’s party elements you can incorporate in your decor choices are dark tones, like blacks, blues, and golds. Then you’ll want to work on lighting. You can keep the ceiling lights off in each room and take advantage of mood lighting, like candles, lamps, or a fireplace.

Your decorations will definitely show up in your guests’ photos and social media stories, so they’re a great chance to have some fun staging photo zones. You can help your party attendees get into the New Year’s vibe with props and a ready-to-go camera and tripod set up, making it hard for them to say no to an entertaining photo opportunity.

Get The Party Started with a Curated Playlist or DJ

Second to visual appeal, the music at your party is sure to get your friends and family into the celebratory New Year’s mood. Your music selection should complement your decor. So if you’ve chosen an elegant, classic theme, you’ll want to have music going that matches that, like jazz or timeless classics. If you’ve opted for a more modern approach, you can incorporate contemporary pop or country songs.

With all the streaming music services available, finding a curated playlist or mixing your own is easy. You can link up your mobile device or computer with a Bluetooth speaker system, and paired with some space for a dance floor, you’ve got a party.

If you’re throwing a more upscale event, you might consider hiring a band and a singer to provide live entertainment. This will work best if you have a large backyard or spacious area in your house where you plan to host your guests.

Offer Up Classic New Year’s Drinks

Now that you’ve got the decorations planned and your music choices set, it’s time to think about your cocktail and/or mocktail menu. No New Year’s Eve party is complete without a drink in hand.

Even if your theme is more modern or low-key, you’ll want to keep the classics like champagne and prosecco among your options. Spritzers and anything bubbly are also tried and true when it comes to ringing in the new year.

You can keep your at-home bar simple by making the drinks yourself or offering a DIY drink station. If you’re opting for a higher-end experience, you can hire a bartender, which will also allow you to enjoy the evening without the stress of another set of responsibilities during the night’s events.

Plan Activities to Keep your Guests Engaged Throughout the Night

New Year’s Eve is all about sharing the evening with those close to you and toasting to the possibilities of what the future holds. But if you want that energy to last throughout the night and keep everyone engaged until that countdown at midnight, you’ll want to have a plan for the night’s timeline.

If you’re starting your party around dinnertime, you should start off with mild drinks and you’ll want to provide some food. You can keep the music at a lower volume in the first few hours, giving your guests time to chat and catch up. After a few hours, it’s a good idea to plan some activities, like a game or to put on some dance tunes that will get your guests on their feet.

You can also start closer to midnight, like around 9 PM. With a later start, you can provide snacks and start with stronger drinks. It’s still a good idea to plan an activity that capitalizes on your party’s theme, but some time for chatting and a good playlist would still be enough to make for a fun night.

Regardless of your start time, you can keep the anticipation going for the midnight countdown by waiting until the last half-hour to tune in to any New Year’s Eve TV programming. You can also put it on mute if you want to have it going in the background. This will allow your guests to enjoy your music and the overall ambiance of your party without being glued to the TV.

We hope this guide helps you throw an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party with your family and loved ones. We enjoy helping our clients achieve and enjoy homeownership and what better way to commemorate your new home than a special New Year’s Eve celebration. When you’re ready to start your homeownership journey or need home financing, our team of experts is ready to assist.