New Year’s Eve is all about renewal and fresh starts. And a New Year’s Eve party should embody those sentiments. The key to a great party is all in the details. Planning is what’s going to make this year’s New Year’s Eve party, and every New Year’s celebration a success. It doesn’t matter if you intend on having a gathering with your special someone, family, or a large gathering of friends, you’ll have everything under control if you stick to this planning checklist.
Choose the Theme
Selecting a theme is a great way to streamline your ideas. Knowing which good color changing lights, music, and food will complement the theme will add to its richness and the overall guest experience. Your theme should be tailored to the audience. Some common themes are costume, specific decade, all white, and sneakers.
Select the Venue
Plan ahead if you’re using a public venue—two to three months in advance, more if you have a larger guest list. Make sure you’re clear on what the venue provides. This may cut your to-do list dramatically.
Choose the Entertainment or Activities
Every great party needs to have some activity or entertainment; as host, it’s your job to provide it. Consider the party theme when looking for party activities. If you are going to book an act, this can be a busy time of year for entertainers, so you will have more entertainment options the earlier you book. One to two months in advance is recommended. Also, plan your playlist.
Decide on the Party Food
A party is no party, if there’s no food. You may not want to serve an elaborate spread, but you want to have some snacks or appetizers available for your guests. Depending on your party size, you can opt for catering, hosting a potluck, or doing it yourself. Be sure to take into consideration your guests’ dietary restrictions.
Create Your Budget
Once you know what you want for your party, it’s time to create an event budget that takes into account what you want out of your gathering. A budget will help you stay on task and focus on the staples. You’ll have some guidance and be able to edit your ideas appropriately.
Send out Invitations
You’ll want to send out your invitations one to two months before the party. These can be as formal or informal as you’d like them to be, but the sooner you let your guests know about your soiree, the more affirmative responses you’ll receive.
Do the Final Shopping
About two to three days before the big day, it’s time to do the final shopping. Food, beverages, decorations, and other essential items should be purchased so that you have enough time to properly prepare them for your guests.
Don’t Forget
The larger your party, the sooner you’ll want to start planning. Starting as soon as September can ensure that everything goes smoothly. Make sure to consider how many people the party venue will accommodate, if guests need overnight accommodations and if any guests have dietary restrictions. You can also check with your alcohol vendor about buying bottles on consignment. This will allow you to buy more than you need and return unopened bottles. If you’re throwing a large gala, you may want to consider hosting a ticketed event, bringing in sponsors, or having a cash bar.
Now that you know what you need to do for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration, you will feel less stressed about it. Alternatively, you can always opt to hire a party planner if necessary.
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