Thinking of hosting a New Years Eve cocktail party?
The gifts are unwrapped, and the last of the roast pork sandwiches are officially gone. Are you feeling a little let down, well don’t! Instead invite some close friends over to celebrate and toast to good fortunes in your future.
The party should start a few hours before midnight; around 9:30 or 10:00 pm is a good idea.
The tips below will help you throw one last bash, and create the perfect atmosphere for your soiree.
A cocktail party, especially one with a New Year’s theme, is meant for mingling, and nibbling on delicious morsels of food.
You will need some sort of bar to hold your bottles, glasses and food. Consider moving a low cabinet over to the side of the room and out of the way.
Maybe you don't bother with a full bar, but instead do just sparkling wine!
Try:
• Veuve Clicquot $39.95
• Moet & Chandon $13.95
• Domaine Ste. Michelle $8.95
• Freixenet $7.95
Another cost-friendly alternative is to arrange the ingredients for three or four cocktails out on the table along with shakers so guests can create their own drinks.
Ideas:
Classic Martini [Gin/Vodka, Dry Vermouth, Blue cheese-Stuffed Olives]
Bellini [Peach Schnapps and Champagne]
Decorating tips
• End tables placed in the corners of the room can house snacks and things that are easily picked up.
• Turn your space into a lounge by creating a good party flow. Rearrange furniture into “conversation clusters” so that the couch is freed from the wall and placed in the middle of the room, two wing chairs are grouped in another area and a couple of floor cushions are placed in a corner for more intimate conversations.
• A few white paper lanterns can give your space a festive touch without looking over the top, check out Pier One for this item, they have tons and they are very inexpensive.
• .
• Pick up a light dimmer from your local hardware store for the party room. Turn the main light down a bit and place floor lights, replaced with low wattage bulbs on the peripheral of the space. Start the evening with brighter lights when everyone is getting to know each other, going darker the closer you get to midnight.
• Noisemakers and party hats, “New Year’s Eve wouldn’t be complete without them.” Go for a chic approach and choose hats and noisemakers in similar colors to match your room’s décor place them everywhere even on your buffet
The Menu
• Guests don’t have the luxury of sitting down to a table to use knives and forks, so meals should be served appetizer-style, either laid out on the sideboard or taken around with napkins. Our chef’s at Amore www.eventsbyamore.com have compiled a great line-up of hors d’ oeuvres specifically tailored for a New Year's Eve cocktail party menu, you can order to pick them up or if the budget allows service is always a fabulous option.
• Mirrors make very sexy serving trays and with the addition of a few tea lights will make the serving table twinkle all night long. Just wash your mirrors thoroughly and adorn with a few votives held in small holders and place them on the table you are using for food to pick up the light.
Small gifts are simple to make, yet a great memento of the fun your guests had as at your party.
• Purchase a stack of re-writeable CDs that come in colorful cases (even better if the color coordinates with your decor scheme) and burn a personal album for each guest containing a selection of your favorite music.
• Pick up inexpensive, Chinese take-out style boxes or order online in any color www.papermart.com, and fill them with gold chocolate coins. Personalize each box by writing a good luck wish for the New Year and signing your name.
