Hosting a New Year's Eve Gathering?
CHEERS!
No matter where you live or how big of a gathering you plan to have for New Year’s Eve…I’d like to share a few tried & true ideas & items with you.
Even if it’s just an intimate celebration of two, you’ll still want to make it special, right? The anticipation of a NEW YEAR always brings great hope & the feeling of a new start. Out with the old & in with the new! Cause for a celebration for sure.
Over the years, I’ve been to very formal New Year’s Eve parties. Black tie & evening gowns type events that were fun but between you and me…a bit exhausting if I’m being honest.
I prefer a smaller, more intimate group personally these days. Whether it’s a few close friends dropping by for a toast & some nibbles and/or family that’s still in town for the holiday season….you can still make it special & festive.
YUM! Who doesn’t love a marshmallow roast?
Even if it’s just a party of two…you just scale down the amount of food & beverages you’ll need to have on hand. Also, decide what if any activities you want to include.
We live at the beach so…most years we bring in the New Year down on the beach watching fire works & having a toast and maybe even a marshmallow roast over a fire pit. ALWAYS A BIG HIT for every age. Sparklers are usually involved too (even if just all adults). Super casual and super fun!
You don’t have to live at the beach! Include a marshmallow roast/fire pit situation in your own yard. I only suggest that you have at least one adult in charge of this activity at all times. Two is better even. This ensures the fire keeps going & is under control amongst many other things.
This is a fun activity for just two people, a family with children or an all adult gathering.
It helps keep stress levels down for me if I know how many to expect. Also, if any children will be coming. It changes what activities we’ll be doing and what food & beverages I’ll need on hand. For most kids, watching the fireworks & roasting marshmallows and maybe tossing a frisbee or football around is plenty fun enough to bring in the New Year.
To be honest, children or no children…I like to have hot cocoa & marshmallows on hand. Coffee too! It’s a fun treat for everyone. Champagne, Prosecco, or other sparkling wines will need to be on hand. Also, I like to have non-alcoholic beverages too for those not partaking. Plenty of bottles of water is always a great idea and can be kept cold in a large barrel or bucket (depending on your party theme and how casual).
Have one signature drink on hand for an extra special touch. Taste test them first before deciding which to serve. Pick a fun name and make enough so that each guest can try it. I always make more than I think I’ll need. If you have any left over…you’ll have it for New Year’s Day! Spruce-us.com
If it’s going to be a gathering of more than 6 or 8 people…I also love to have one signature drink that all the guests can also enjoy. There are so many fun & festive cocktails to choose from and you can give it your own little twist or make up a totally new blend (just test it out first before serving, obvi) and give it a fun name to fit your party.
I’ll link a couple of my favorite cocktail recipe books below to make party prep easier. *Affiliate links included in this post will not cost you any extra to purchase through. I do make a small commission if you decide to use my Affiliate Links. I only suggest what I choose myself with no outside influence. Enjoy!
First, decide whether it will be an intimate party for two or a larger gathering. Second, decide what activities you want to include. If it’s family…it could be an evening of watching favorite movies with hot cocoa and/or bubbles. Third, decide and then let your guests know if it’s a casual gathering or a bit more fancy. Fourth, let your guests know whether dinner will be served or just nibbles & drinks.
So, here are a few items you may want to have on hand to make your gathering fun & festive! *Affiliate Links included below for your convenience and to help you prepare for your gathering. If you decide to use one or more of my links, I will be paid a small commission which will not cost you any extra.
*CLICK on link/name of product to proceed to product.
A few of my favorite Cocktail Recipe Books (click on name of product):
Great Make Ahead Pitchers (click on name of product):
Favorite Champagne & Cocktail Glasses (click on name of product):
Keep It Cold Containers (click on name of product to proceed):
Hot Cocoa/Coffee Mugs (click on name of product to proceed):
Okay…now for the food! This all depends of course on how involved you want this gathering to be. How casual or fancy! You can order pizza for everyone and just serve drinks and have a Charcuterie Board or two (nibbles). You can go all out and serve a four course meal! It’s your call.
I prefer to go pretty casual for New Year’s Eve AND New Year’s Day. The less stress and trouble the better for me still trying to catch my breath after Christmas….
I DO love putting together a great Charcuterie Board (or 2), depending on the size of the gathering. Here are a couple of my favorite ones linked below but there are tons out there. There are also books on how to put together great boards too. See my Affiliate Links below:
Charcuterie Boards & How To Books (click on name of product to proceed):
So, now you have your Champagne picked out, your glassware, your hot cocoa & coffee station all set up, your Charcuterie Board(s) all ready to go and maybe even a pitcher or two of your speciality cocktail ready to be enjoyed. Have a blast dear friend in whatever way you decide to bring in the New Year.
Happy & Healthy New Year to you & yours!
~Scarlett