I hope the Christmas season is finding you well and blessed with the gifts of family-time and peace. Of course, the end of Christmas does not signify the end of gatherings and parties, because we still have New Year’s Eve.
Now, most of my friends that know me well find this surprising, but I personally prefer to keep New Year’s Eve small and intimate. What better way to ring in the New Year Year than with close family and friends? This coming New Year represents several new chapters in our lives—I completed my bachelor’s degree (one of my biggest regrets in life was not finishing school), my youngest graduates high school and she just performed her last Nutcracker ballet.) Now, more than ever I want this New Year’s Eve to be filled with family and friends.
Sometimes, New Year’s Eve can be a bit of an afterthought, especially if you are busy with Christmas festivities. So, it’s necessary that you plan ahead.
First, it is absolutely imperative to plan your party music ahead of time. So many times I have been to parties that the food was great, the company was great, the setting was great, but the music….blah. Music really sets the tone for any gathering. Think about it, music and feelings go hand-in-hand. New Year’s Eve is supposed to be fun, lighthearted, and a celebration—your music should reflect that. One idea for music is to play hit songs decade by decade: start with the sixties and work up to now.
Food selections can be simple or elaborate for New Year’s Eve. You could do a dessert only menu.
How about a banana-split bar including ice cream, hot fudge, and lots of homemade whipped cream? You can also go retro and serve things your mother used to put out when she had parties back in the day, like sour cream and onion soup dip and baked pineapple chunks wrapped in bacon.
New Year’s Eve decorating is really easy since you already have your home decorated for the holidays. I simply revamp some of the holiday décor. When I think of New Year’s Eve I think of glitzy, so I focus on glittered items like glittered pinecones and lots of silver! I remove things like Santas and rework arrangements to reflect the occasion. I leave the tree and stairwell garland and take off all the ornaments except silver and gold, then add party horns, New Year’s Eve-themed decorations and a banner with the New Year.
Photo credit: www.diyinspired.com
You will also want to set up a simple photo area with props for your friends. This is perhaps one of the best things you can do, because the pictures and memories will last a lifetime.
The New Year is a time for reflection as well as an opportunity to welcome change and exciting things to come.
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