It’s the most famous party night of the year, but it’s not just for adults; here are two great party plans to take the stress out of seeing in the New Year, not matter whether it’s for big kids or the grandkids!
Start Planning Early: (at least three weeks before)
- Set a budget. Even if it’s a small family party, be clear about how much you feel comfortable about spending on the event. It’s one of the advantages of planning early – you can take advantage of post-Christmas specials!
- Decide on a theme if you want one. List where or how you might make, buy or borrow decorations or music to fit.
- Make an invitation list. For a large party, invite 20 percent more people than you think a comfortable number, as traditionally only 70-80 percent of people will attend Obviously, this doesn’t apply to a dinner party or the grandkids, but go to the effort of an invitation anyway – it always makes the party special. There are many templates available online for printing or emailing and one surely to fit any theme – get the grandchildren to help you create designs. An invitation by phone is also perfectly acceptable, if not as much fun. Make sure you provide clear instructions on what to wear, if guests are required to supply anything, dietary requirements, directions to the venue and clear RSVP details
- Plan the menu. You’ll need to determine how much food you’ll need over what period of time, what guests will expect (e.g. just finger food, a full buffet, dessert, etc.), account for dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, allergies and fussy grandkids!) and ensure there is a balance of flavours and rich/light variety. For finger food, Food and Wine Magazine suggests allowing eight items per person. Make a shopping list. Don’t be afraid of including pre-made, easy ‘deli’ items to supplement anything you may prepare.
- New Year’s Eve can be the longest duration party many people attend in a year, so make sure your food is spread throughout the evening so people don’t get hungry or tipsy too quickly.
- Don’t forget post-midnight food – filling carbs such as pastry snacks, mini pies or pizza slices quickly and easily heated in the oven will help balance the New Year bubbles!
Two Weeks Prior:
- If you’re going to drag out the family heirlooms, start cleaning the crystal, china silverware and linens.
- Create a playlist. This will again be driven by your invited ‘audience’. Make sure it’s relevant to your theme if you have one, or entertaining for children.
- Do your first round of grocery shopping and cook whatever can be frozen.
- Make a list of drinks required (buy if there are post-Christmas specials and before prices rise for NYE!)- make sure you balance alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Think about a signature (theme) cocktail or mocktail. Don’t forget beer and ice.
- Clean your house (or venue) thoroughly. That way it will only need a quick ‘lick’ before the party.
- Get someone to help you re-arrange furniture if you need more space, stash things that will be in the way (especially items that may get broke) and clear any clutter. Replace light bulbs of half used candles.
- Take an inventory of cookware and serving dishes – consider buying inexpensive pieces from a discount or thrift shop or borrowing items.
- Stock the bar. Allow three bottles of wine for every four people, three to four cocktails for a two-three- hour cocktail party and plenty of still and sparkling water. Ideally, you should have sparkling wine for the New Year’s toast. Plan a non-alcoholic punch for children. Again, take advantage of specials before party prices begin!
- Notify the neighbours. Let them know if you are going to be loud or potentially create parking problems
Two Days Before:
Set tables, buy and arrange flowers, give the house a last ‘once-over’ and finish as much of the cooking as you can. Pre-prepare food that will assembled tomorrow, e.g. dice, marinate, rinse, etc.).
Party Day!
- Start theme decorating indoors and outdoors, weather permitting.
- Stash away personal items in your bathroom/vanity cabinets that you don’t want guests to see.
- Complete the grocery shopping. Make up a new ‘To Do’ list, including more food preparation.
Set tables, buy and arrange flowers, give the house a last ‘once-over’ and finish as much of the cooking as you can. Pre-prepare food that will assembled tomorrow, e.g. dice, marinate, rinse, etc.).
Party Day!
- Finish any last-minute cooking – hopefully this will be minimal and fuss-free.
- Prepare dishes of appetisers and snacks that won’t spoil and place appropriately. Cover with plastic wrap until guests are imminent.
- Put aside plenty of time to make yourself beautiful and greet guests as they arrive with a genuinely happy smile!
New Year’s Eve Entertainment for Grandkids (and big kids!!)
Pretend Countdown
Have a mock countdown for the children (or adults!) who can’t stay up until midnight. Simply change the clocks (or download a clock/timer app) to strike 12 when it is at a more suitable time, e.g. 8 or 9 p.m. Hand out noisemakers, party hats, and confetti to toss when the countdown ends. This is a great way for kids to be a part of the celebration but still get to bed on time.
Have a mock countdown for the children (or adults!) who can’t stay up until midnight. Simply change the clocks (or download a clock/timer app) to strike 12 when it is at a more suitable time, e.g. 8 or 9 p.m. Hand out noisemakers, party hats, and confetti to toss when the countdown ends. This is a great way for kids to be a part of the celebration but still get to bed on time.
Balloon Celebrations
Here are three simple and colourful ways to celebrate when you can’t have a traditional ball drop in your home.
Here are three simple and colourful ways to celebrate when you can’t have a traditional ball drop in your home.
- You’ll need 12 strips of paper, 12 balloons, a marker and balloon ties or string. Write on strips of paper different activities during the night with a ‘time’ theme. For example, ‘it’s time for a cupcake’, ‘it’s time for a drink’, ‘it’s time to give the person next to you a hug’, etc. You will need 12.
- Then, using a marker, write ‘It’s 6:30’, and continue writing on each balloon in 30 minute intervals until you reach ‘It’s 12:00’. Then insert an activity paper strip into a balloon, blow them up and tie with a length of string.
- Hang them by the string in a line. Nominate a party member as the ‘timekeeper’ and as the clock reaches each time, have someone pop the balloon and reveal what the activity is they must do. The night should go off with a bang! (pic)
- Use a balloon drop kit or make your own by filling some netting or a plastic tablecloth with inflated balloons. Tape/hang the balloon-filled net to the ceiling in the party room/patio, etc. and release them when guests reach the end of the midnight countdown.
- Get each child to write a resolution or wish for the New Year on a piece of paper, then fold it and place it inside a balloon. Fill the balloons with helium or a home air pump, tie them with ribbon, and have the kids release them into the air as the clock strikes at midnight.
Trim a New Year's Tree
If your Christmas tree is still standing, why not redecorate it for the occasion? The history of the New Year tree tradition goes all the way back to the 1600s. While the Christmas tree custom originated in Germany in the 1500s, the idea of a decorated spruce made its way to Russia via Peter the Great in the 1600s, and became increasingly popular throughout the 1800s. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, the trees were banned, though they made a return in 1935—given that they were used only to celebrate the secular New Year's holiday.
Remove the Christmas ornaments and invite kids to a celebration that includes trimming the tree with New Year’s decorations such as silver tinsel, noisemakers, balloons, and streamers. Don’t forget the shiny top hat as the tree-topper!
If your Christmas tree is still standing, why not redecorate it for the occasion? The history of the New Year tree tradition goes all the way back to the 1600s. While the Christmas tree custom originated in Germany in the 1500s, the idea of a decorated spruce made its way to Russia via Peter the Great in the 1600s, and became increasingly popular throughout the 1800s. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, the trees were banned, though they made a return in 1935—given that they were used only to celebrate the secular New Year's holiday.
Remove the Christmas ornaments and invite kids to a celebration that includes trimming the tree with New Year’s decorations such as silver tinsel, noisemakers, balloons, and streamers. Don’t forget the shiny top hat as the tree-topper!
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New Year's Countdown Cake
Have kids help paint the numbers on the cookies or cupcakes for this creation, then take one off and eat it for every hour that passes. At midnight, it's finally time to cut and enjoy the rest of the cake! These Fireworks cookies make a great cake decoration or serve alone. |
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New Year’s Eve Slumber Party
New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to throw a young people’s slumber party.
Guests can gather in their jammies and ring in the New Year from their sleeping bags, or even from a tent pitched on the living room floor.
For girls, combine some traditional slumber party games and makeover activities with the camp-out idea to throw a New Year’s Eve glamping bash.
New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to throw a young people’s slumber party.
Guests can gather in their jammies and ring in the New Year from their sleeping bags, or even from a tent pitched on the living room floor.
For girls, combine some traditional slumber party games and makeover activities with the camp-out idea to throw a New Year’s Eve glamping bash.
Photo Booth
With party hats on and noisemakers in hand, the kids at your party are practically begging for a photo-op. A photo booth is a fun addition to any party, but especially exciting on New Year’s Eve.
Whether you make your booth, rent one, or hire a professional photographer, photo booth party ideas could make your event the highlight of the year.
Another brilliant idea is to collect some tiaras, funny glasses and party hats and make a dress-up bowl near the entrance so people can grab something to wear as they walk in and have one of the children play paparazzi!
With party hats on and noisemakers in hand, the kids at your party are practically begging for a photo-op. A photo booth is a fun addition to any party, but especially exciting on New Year’s Eve.
Whether you make your booth, rent one, or hire a professional photographer, photo booth party ideas could make your event the highlight of the year.
Another brilliant idea is to collect some tiaras, funny glasses and party hats and make a dress-up bowl near the entrance so people can grab something to wear as they walk in and have one of the children play paparazzi!
Clock Hats for New Year's Eve (Make Your Own)
What better way to keep the kids busy and have fun than with these creative clock hats.
You can either buy the party hats or if you have any birthday party hats, flip it inside out. First start by cutting circles from extra party hats to make clocks, then apply sticker numbers and clock hands (which can be made by also using the extra party hats).
Finally, attach the clock to the party hat by using a hot glue gun. You can also add a pom pom to the top of the hat also using the glue.
Final countdown
If you don’t have a vantage point, turn on a TV so you can watch the fireworks. Provide guests with sparklers, party poppers and of course, a glass of champagne.
What better way to keep the kids busy and have fun than with these creative clock hats.
You can either buy the party hats or if you have any birthday party hats, flip it inside out. First start by cutting circles from extra party hats to make clocks, then apply sticker numbers and clock hands (which can be made by also using the extra party hats).
Finally, attach the clock to the party hat by using a hot glue gun. You can also add a pom pom to the top of the hat also using the glue.
Final countdown
If you don’t have a vantage point, turn on a TV so you can watch the fireworks. Provide guests with sparklers, party poppers and of course, a glass of champagne.
