Hosting A New Year's Eve Party

by:  Sherwood Tillman

 Did you lose a bet, draw the short straw, or is it just your turn this year?  Throwing a New Year's Eve party in your home is a lot of work, but with a little bit of planning you will surprise yourself at how well you can pull off this huge assignment.  

Here are just a few ideas to help you tackle hosting a fun New Year's Eve Party.  These are some traditional party ideas, but if you are not a party planner, just read and get moving.

 NEW Year's Eve Party: The Planning

•  It's never too soon to mention that you are having a New Year's Eve party.  Make it easy for yourself and use some form of online invitations which will immensely simplify managing your guest list
  
• Grab a few holiday decorating magazines to give you some general ideas, tear out the ideas you like and keep them in a folder or notebook
• Start straightening your house now!  Plan on hiring a cleaning crew and book them now as well to take care of the nasty cleaning details.  You don't want to be bothered with disinfecting toilets and sweeping cobwebs when you have a perfectly wonderful New Year's Eve party to plan
  
• Find the coziest room in your house and designate that room as the main room for the party.  Just set up the bar in that room and that will take care of that
• Make sure that ONE of your party rooms  has a TV going.  And don't forget to mention that tidbit in your invitation.  Some football enthusiasts (nuts) may decline to attend a New Years Party if they know that they will not be able to peek at some of the December 31st bowl games.

New Year's Eve Party: The Decorating

These few inexpensive items scattered about the house will help give your home that New Year Eve feel:

• White table cloths decorated with ribbons, confetti, and some disposable cameras
• Helium Balloons
• Party hats and noise makers throughout your house
• Decorate here and there with a string of white lights

New Year's Eve Party: The Aftermath

• Have a crash room ready with a few pillows and blankets or sleeping bags available for those few guests who have celebrated too much.

Or

• Have a list of some reputable cab companies for those who are not interested in your crash room!