New Years Party Favors
New Year’s Eve always includes delicious food and beverages. With a party sure to go past midnight, we suggest foregoing dinner service and starting the celebration in time for later evening snacks, appetizers and desserts.
Finger foods are always a popular New Year’s Eve party choice! They don’t require a slew of silverware, and guests can eat them on the go as they mingle!
Choose a few of your favorite go-to finger appetizers and desserts to make ahead. Pre-made platters and plates filled with a variety of nuts, cheeses, meats, crackers, breads, spreads and fruit are a lovely addition. Petite desserts like mini pies, cupcakes, cookies and dessert shooters provide guests with many lovely options for taste testing and help to prevent wastefulness by being small in size.
You can easily dress these up by adding fresh whipping cream, a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce, festive dessert spoons or picks and even edible glitter. Don’t forget to embellish your appetizer trays with garnish such as sprigs of rosemary, romaine lettuce or other edible greens.
A big part of any New Year’s Eve celebration is the beverage station. Whether you serve alcohol or go the sparkling cider route, you will want to have plenty of options for guests.
This could include sparkling or bottled water, sparkling cider, a signature cocktail or two, mixed drinks or punch, coffee, tea or a hot chocolate station, as well as flavored waters and soda.
If children will be in attendance, a milk bar is a fun idea. Add some strawberry and chocolate syrups for a flavored milk option.
Plan for multiple drinks per person. You’ll need plenty of stemware, paper or plastic cups, party straws, drink stirrers and napkins. Plus, don’t forget the ice!
The cost of refreshments can add up quickly, not to mention the amount of time to collect and prepare everything. Guests can be invited to contribute to the refreshment table and beverage bar to save on budget and your prep time!
Entertainment
One of the best parts of New Year’s Eve is spending time reminiscing, laughing and celebrating together. Costly entertainment isn’t necessary. But will surely give your new years party and edge! Booking a Dj may not be entirely necessary but will surely enhance everyone’s experience. You can have fun with a few simple preparations. First, put together a great playlist and flash back on the best moments in music from the past year. Invite guests to sing and dance along to the music!
If you have access to a Karaoke machine, have it set up for some easy guest entertainment! Next, add a photo booth to your celebration. Guests love having a meaningful way to capture the fun of the night. Set up a simple backdrop using streamers, lights, a “Happy New Year” banner and balloons. PhotoBooths are also very much so purchasable which will alleviate the friction associated with technical issues and drunk attendants.
Put together a small basket of New Year’s related photo props like sparkling tiaras, hats, party horns and noisemakers, plus some good old photo booth basics like silly mustaches, faux lips, oversized glasses and funny signs. Games are also a popular source of entertainment at a New Year’s Eve party. Whether you pull out classic board games or put together something new, you can’t go wrong with party games!
There are great ideas on putting together a trivia game, playing more active games of hilarity inspired by Minute to Win It and even free printable favors for playing more classic games like Bingo.