The glitz, the glam, the sparkles, the food, the memories — Holiday Parties are the most fun on New Year’s Eve!

 

Keep reading for 15 of our top tips for throwing an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Party, whether you’re hosting a family celebration or a full-on catered soiree.

15 Tips for Throwing an Unforgettable New Year’s Eve Party

1. Keep Your Party-Goers in Mind

When it comes to party planning, it’s important to know who you are planning for.

 

Narrowing in on who — and how many people — you need to provide food, drinks, and entertainment for is the first step. Then, focus on where the party will take place.

2. Capture the Memories

As you’re planning out the evening, don’t forget to build in ways to capture all of the fun memories you’ll be making! Set up a photo booth, put disposable cameras on each table, or hire a photographer so that you can look back at the evening for years to come.

3. Pick the Perfect Theme

No New Year’s Eve party is complete without the perfect theme.

 

Here are some of our favorites you can choose from:

 

• Masquerade
• Roaring Twenties
• Champagne Party
• Wine Night
• Movie Marathon
• Cocktail-Making Party
• Backyard Bonfire
• Decades Party
• Casino Night

 

While you can certainly come up with your own theme, these can get your creative juices flowing, and your guests will be excited to participate in an evening with added thematic touches.

4. Make the Drinks Memorable

No matter what kind of party you’re planning to throw, memorable drinks are a must!

 

Whether you have your caterer provide the drinks or you have your guests learn new cocktail-making skills alongside you, New Year’s Eve events are the perfect time to snazz up your drink menu experience.

5. Get Your Guests Involved

People wait for New Year’s Eve parties all year long, so it’s no surprise that they want to be involved.

 

Host an event that provides plenty of opportunities to interact and have yummy foods and drinks.

 

For example, if you’re hosting a family celebration, why not make it a backyard bonfire night complete with s’mores, hotdogs, mac and cheese, and hot cider? No matter who is on the guest list, this idea is a major crowd-pleaser.

 

Pro Tip: If it’s cold where you live, have plenty of outdoor heaters and cozy blankets to keep everyone comfortable.

6. Hire a Caterer

We hinted at this above, but hire a caterer! This takes the stress of planning a menu off your plate and allows you to just enjoy the time with your guests.

7. Have a Way to Watch the Ball Drop

Not everyone wants to watch all of the televised celebrations in New York City or the ball drop at midnight. But a lot of people do!

 

If you have a split crowd where some people want to chat and mingle while others want to watch TV, try to provide a separate place for those TV watchers to sit down and enjoy themselves. This will ensure everyone is happy and prevent any fights.

8. Provide Props

Dressing up for New Year’s Eve is half the fun. Provide “2023” hats, glasses, and the like so your guests can ring in the new year in style.

9. String Lights and Light Candles

Setting the right vibe can make your party truly unforgettable. Consider hanging twinkle lights around your event space and finding ways to safely light candles with delicious scents around the room.

 

Smell is a powerful memory trigger, and this could be the thing that makes your guests remember that they loved your event so much.

10. Make the Perfect Playlist

Speaking of good vibes, don’t forget to curate the perfect playlist for your group! Whether you choose to include jazz, classic tunes like Auld Lang Syne, or the top hits from the past year (Taylor Swift, anyone?), the music you select can keep the party-goers’ spirits up as the evening gets later.

11. Plan Games or Share Memories

Depending on who attends your gathering, playing games can be a great way to break the ice or make sure everyone feels included. Plus, games can often lead to laughter and hysterics that will keep the party going well past midnight.

 

If your group isn’t the game-playing type, grab a drink and share your favorite memories of past New Year’s Eve parties or from the past year. These games and conversations are truly customizable — just pick what makes sense for your group!

12. Hire Designated Drivers

Because the new year begins at midnight, guests will be up late and likely enjoying ample amounts of cocktails.

 

To make sure the night ends well and everyone ends up at home safe and sound, hire or appoint designated drivers. This alleviates a lot of stress at the end of the night, and telling your guests that you have transportation covered allows them to simply enjoy the party.

13. Be a Good Neighbor

You don’t have to invite all of your neighbors to your party, but it’s a good idea to let them know you’ll be hosting an event if there’s limited parking in your area or thin walls. A courteous note on their door or a quick phone call can make all the difference.

14. Provide Morning-After Favors

Not everyone is used to staying up late! And even for late-night veterans, eating copious amounts of sugar and drinking lots of cocktails can mean a headache or tummy ache the next day.

 

Send home small favors with your guests, such as aspirin, mini water bottles, and a small snack.

15. Hire a Cleaner

Most of the tips on this list have centered around making sure your guests have a good time. This tip is for you: hire a cleaner! You want to enjoy your time with family and friends without worrying about washing all the dishes or throwing the trash out.

 

This will save your sanity and allow you to start the new year with as little stress as possible. That’s a win in our book!

Throw Your Holiday Party with Style

Want to host an unforgettable evening? Kpacho can fulfill all your catering needs and provide the perfect place for your New Year’s Eve event!

 

From small groups to large gatherings, our catering, menu selections, and cocktail curations are perfect for your holiday parties this year! Give us a call to learn more about how we can make the new year special.