New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, which means if you’re hosting, you’ll need some party planning essentials to make it a night to remember. Don’t get too caught up in the stress of putting together an elaborate feast, though. Party planning can be as simple as whipping up a few craft cocktails, choosing an appetizer hit, and adding some festive decor.
Keep it simple this NYE and read on for our hosting must haves. With these on hand, you’ll be ringing in the new year with style and ease.
Craft Your Cocktails
Nothing kicks off a New Year’s Eve shindig like a signature cocktail. While it’s necessary to have the usual bar choices on display (beer, wine, etc.), it’s always fun to mix in a holiday-themed option (or a few). Be sure to set out glass markers for your guests, too, so that everyone can easily keep track of their drinks (try these adorable felt options - they’re classic and sleek and will fit any holiday vibe).
Pomegranate Ginger Paloma – We love this ultra-festive number that’s just perfect for the holidays. A hint of ginger and pomegranate give it a zesty and fruity flavor, while the color and garnishes make it Instagram-worthy for all your guests.
Cranberry Mimosas – Looking for a delicious and super easy recipe? Go for cranberry mimosas. It only takes four ingredients and it’s definitely a cocktail that’s fit to ring in 2020. Oh, and bonus - we love tossing a few cranberries into the glass at the end, too. It makes it a simple, yet stunning, drink to pass around.
Spiced Old Fashioned – One of the most popular drinks around the holidays, you can’t go wrong with an old fashioned - especially when it’s got a twist of spice that gives it just the right amount of holiday cheer.
Cardamom Rose Cocktail – Finally, if you’re on the hunt for a cocktail that’s out of the ordinary, definitely consider making a cardamom rose cocktail. A combination of gin, grapefruit juice, bitters, simple syrup, and cardamom, it’s a unique taste explosion that’ll have your guests lining up for seconds (and thirds).
Prep Your Appetizer
Now that you’ve got your cocktails at the ready, it’s time to select your appetizer. The trick to choosing a successful one is to keep it simple, but tasty. A crowd favorite that tends to go well with any of these cocktails is a Camembert & Cranberry Pizza - basically an elevated version of laying out brie cheese with cranberry jam and crackers. We recommend using a pre-made crust from Trader Joe’s and either a homemade jam or the holiday jam from Stonewall Kitchen. Then, once the pizza is finished, use a high quality pizza cutter (like this one from Williams Sonoma) and slice it up. Once it’s out of the oven, it’s ready to serve and it’s far less messy to eat than having to spread cheese and toppings on a cracker.
Add a Festive Decor Touch
Finally, to complete your New Year’s Eve party, you’ll want to infuse your space with a touch of holiday decor, and in our opinion, you can never go wrong with a classic floral arrangement. Instead of buying ready-made (and expensive) arrangements, though, go for the DIY path on this one. All you need to make your own are a few white hydrangeas and red berries. Layer them together in a vase, and you’ll have instant seasonal charm.
As we countdown the days, hours, and minutes to the new year, remember that hosting an unforgettable party need not be overdone or overthought. Stick to the basics and classics that are crowd pleasers again and again, and we guarantee you’ll be relaxing and enjoying yourself just as much as (or maybe even more than) your guests.
By Megan Johansson