12 New Year’s Eve Party Ideas to Usher in The Coming Year

The year is drawing to a close, which means it’s time to start looking at New Year’s Eve party ideas. As with Christmas, expectations will be high and competition will be fierce.

You’ll have to plan well in advance and think about the kind of venue you want, what food to serve, which games to play, and what theme you’ll go with for your New Year’s Eve party.

Polls show that the majority of people prefer to spend New Year’s Eve at home with their friends and loved ones. So how can you best recreate that atmosphere as an event organiser?

By reading this guide.

In it, we’ll cover…

• Delicious New Year’s Eve drinks
• Food ideas for your New Year’s Eve party
• How to decorate your venue
• Which activities to plan

Delicious New Year’s Eve drinks

Let’s face it: New Year’s Eve will for many people be about the drinks…and how to have as many of them as possible. We’ve dug out some great cocktails you can serve on the big night.

Even if your guests don’t drink alcohol, you can use these recipes to create some delicious mocktails that’ll impress your guests and contribute to an unforgettable night.

1. Happy New Year cocktail

This aptly named cocktail is simple to make and easy on the palate. Best of all, it includes the most important ingredient for every New Year’s party: the champagne.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Brandy
• Champagne
• Ruby port
• Orange juice

Tip: Here’s how to make a Happy New Year Cocktail.

2. Twentieth Century cocktail

Seeing as we’re in the 21st century, it’s safe to say that this classic cocktail has stood the test of time. Bring out the throwback vibes with the Twentieth Century Cocktail!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Crème de cacao
• Gin
• Lillet Blanc
• Lemon juice

Tip: Here’s how to make a Twentieth Century cocktail.

3. Midori Melon Ball Drop cocktail

The Midori Melon Ball Drop cocktail is an American favourite that doesn’t have as much kick to it as the other two on our list. But that just means your guests can drink more of them.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Midori
• Citrus vodka
• Elderflower
• Lemons
• Melon ball garnish

Tip: Here’s how to make a Midori Melon Ball Drop cocktail.

Food ideas for your New Year’s Eve party

After the welcome drinks, the food is the next part your guests will look forward to. First impressions matter, because it’ll be the last one you’ll make this year.

Many New Year’s Eve parties are more active gatherings where guests walk around and socialise, so we’ve looked at a few great choices for nibbles.

1. Chicken skewers with yoghurt dip

Chicken skewers are always a great choice for finger-food, but this recipe puts a Spanish twist on the classic dish.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Coriander
• Cumin
• Garlic
• Greek-style yoghurt
• Lime
• Mini chicken fillets
• Olive oil
• Sherry vinegar
• Smoked paprika
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Sweet paprika
• Thyme

Tip: Here’s how to make chicken skewers with yoghurt dip.

2. Spinach and ricotta sausage rolls

Sausage rolls are a divisive food, but even critics who find them bland will be pleasantly surprised by the addition of spinach and ricotta.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Eggs
• Frozen spinach
• Hard cheese
• Lemon
• Nutmeg
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Plain flour
• Poppy seeds
• Puff pastry
• Red onion chutney
• Ricotta
• Thyme

Tip: Here’s how to make spinach and ricotta sausage rolls.

3. Sticky miso nuts and seeds

If you expect to have vegan or vegetarian guests, you’ll want at least one or two options to accommodate them. These sticky miso nuts and seeds are an enticing choice.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Black peppercorns
• Brown miso paste
• Cashew nuts
• Granulated sugar
• Peanuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sesame seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Toasted sesame oil
• Whole almonds

Tip: Here’s how to make sticky miso nuts and seeds.

New Year’s Eve decoration ideas

The surroundings will definitely help create the right atmosphere. So whether you’re hosting your New Year’s Eve party at a hotel, restaurant, bar, or at home, you’ll want decorations.

We’ve looked at possible decoration ideas that you can use for inspiration. Just make sure that whatever you choose goes together with your overall event theme.

1. Make origami ornaments

Some of the best decorations are home-made. Just ask any parent. If you’re good with your hands and have a stack of paper, why not create some origami ornaments?

Tip: Here are plenty of ideas for origami ornaments you can use for decoration.

2. Add glitter to candles

Candles can make all the difference when it comes to ambience. But since New Year’s Eve is all about glitter and sparkles, you can add these to your candles to make them extra festive.

Tip: Here’s how to add some sparkle to your candles.

3. Firecracker centrepiece

Although you’ll probably have lots of confetti and garlands, it’s also good to have a few centrepieces spread out around the venue to act as conversations starters.

Tip: Check out how easy it is to make a firecracker centrepiece.

Ideas for New Year’s Eve games

If you’re hosting a family-friendly event where kids will be present, it’s important to prepare a bit of fun and games that will keep them entertained.

These games can also work with an adult audience, especially if said audience has already dipped into the punch bowl more than a few times.

Regardless of the audience, these New Year’s Eve party games will be sure to produce some Kodak moments. Be sure to have your cameras at hand to take some snaps.

1. Cotton ball race

A cotton ball race is a great choice if you’re looking for family-friendly New Year’s Eve party ideas. It is a simple-but-hilarious game that requires bowls, spoons, and cotton balls.

The game begins with all the participants splitting into teams and lining up. The first person in line places a cotton ball on the spoon and runs to the bowl at the end of the playing area. Each participant has to drop the cotton ball into the bowl and then run back to the line. Here, they hand the spoon to the next person in line and the cycle repeats.

The first team to drop all their cotton balls into the bowl wins.

Tip: You can learn more about cotton ball races in this guide that contains all the rules.

2. Pass the Hat

Pass the Hat is another exciting game to play on New Year’s Eve. All you need is a funny New Year’s hat.

All participants form a circle, with one person wearing the hat. The hat wearer has to pass it from their head to the head of the person next to them…without using their hands.

If they drop the hat, they have to leave the circle. Rinse and repeat until there’s only one contestant left.

Tip: This guide on fun New Year’s Eve games has Pass the Hat and other games in it.

3. Two Resolutions and a Lie

Two Resolutions and a Lie is a great game to break the ice if the party gets bogged down. You don’t need any props, just a group of people.

Divide your guests into groups of 6+ people. Each participant will present three New Year’s resolutions; two truths and one lie.

The other participants have to guess which one is a lie and which are the two truths.

Tip: Read this guide to learn more about Two Resolutions and a Lie.

Kick off the new year in style

Whatever you’ve been through this year, it’s time to celebrate the coming New Year. As an event planner, you’ve worked hard for the past twelve months, and they deserve a proper sendoff. Make the hangover you’ll have the first day of the year worth it!

Got any other ideas for a kick-ass New Year’s Eve party? Leave your suggestions in the comments section below!