Man, I cannot wait for Christmas! Just two days away now. It’s also my husband’s birthday so we have a lot to celebrate! When the 25th passes, however, we will be on to the next celebration: welcoming in the new year.
On the Rex & Regina blog the last couple of days we’ve been outlining the elements of one of the best ways to ring in the new year: hosting a cocktail and dessert party at your home. Part One focused on decadent desserts; Part Two on cocktails appropriate for the occasion.
Today, we’ll turn our attention to details for the party: decor, favors, and other flourishes to create an exceptional party for your guests.
Favors
Surprise your guests with a parting gift as they leave at the end of the evening. A 2010 calendar would be particularly fitting and I love this option from Paper Source:
Paper Source 2010 Mini Calendar
Single-serve bubbly is another clever favor. Coppola Winery produces a Blanc de Blanc in an adorable can — yes, I said can — perfect for sipping. Pommery’s quarter bottles, POP, are another great option and each one comes with its own straw.
Package the bubbly in a fun bag or other container. Just make sure your guests save the favor for later and don’t sip and drive…
Sofia Mini Blanc de Blancs
Pommery POP champagne
Decor
For New Year’s Eve I like to stick to one of two color palettes: greys and silvers or gold — each with touches of white or cream.
I love these glassware options which I think would be perfect for a New Year’s soiree:
starburst glasses from Haus Interior
Celebration flutes from Neiman Marcus
Kim Seybert’s tabletop collections are some of my all-time favorites. I adore the gold trimmed napkins, though any of the gold linens below would be so festive:
A sampling from Kim Seybert's holiday collection
Leontine Linens are stunning. Their Charles style would be beautiful monogrammed in a cocktail napkin size.
Custom hemmed napkins in coffee linen with two-tone embroidered Charles monogram from Leontine Linens.
Other Creative Touches
Play the Best of 2009 Game. Invite guests to vote for their top movie, book, song, TV show, or other pop culture category for 2009. Each guest should write one nomination in each category on a card and post it to a bulletin board. After all are posted each guest should receive small stickers (one for each category) to vote for their favorite, by applying the sticker to the card of their choice. Voting can take place throughout the evening with the top vote getters announced before midnight. The “owner” of the winning items can receive a prize.
You must, you absolutely must make sure that Auld Lang Syne plays at the stroke of midnight. You might even want to print out the lyrics in festive font on some heavy paper so all your guests can sing along.
Noisemakers are also a must. Check out eBay for vintage noisemakers which will not only be more interesting than current day models but will also make great conversation pieces. And there’s really nothing wrong with those standard silver foil horns, either. Like this one from Amazon:
silver foil horns
Wishing you a very special New Year’s! Cheers!
