11 Tips to Make Your New Year’s Eve Party a Huge Success!

1) Plan a menu that keeps you out of the kitchen. Whether you’re having fondue or finger foods, make sure everything can be prepared ahead of time. For the ultimate easy-does-it menu, invite your guests to a pot-luck appetizer party. You’ll have plenty of finger foods to enjoy while you wait for 2010 to arrive.

If you’re having more than 30 people, plan on hiring some help. For more than 50, you’ll need at least 2 people to help things run smoothly. Add another person for every 20 guests after that.

2) Glam it up! Decorate in gold and silver. Make an easy table runner out of gold or silver wrapping paper. It’s perfect on the buffet and dining table. You can even go all out and call the carnival store to create a giant balloon arch for you. It will make a perfect backdrop for photos. Be sure to station a big clock in a prime spot for the countdown to midnight.

Invite your guests to dress up. After a year of cutting back, now’s the time to have some fun and strut your stuff!

A few minutes before midnight, give everyone a bag of tulle filled with confetti and tied with silver or gold ribbon. Yes, it will be a mess to vacuum after the party, but who cares? New Year’s Eve only comes once a year! Use black and gold sequin top hats as serving dishes and fill them with chips, pretzels and other snack food. Set them around your house to keep the party moving.

3) Remember to be a great host by greeting your guests as they arrive. Enjoy yourself! An uptight host sets a somber tone. Laugh, be happy!

4) Everyone makes New Year’s Resolutions. Have guests write theirs down and post them on a framed bulletin board. Signed or unsigned, they’re fascinating and make great conversation starters.

5) Be specific on your invitation! New Year’s Eve is one of those times when parents of small children might not know whether the kids are welcome or not. Be very specific on your invitation if you’re allowing kids or if it’s an adults-only evening. Consider hiring a babysitter for the evening to watch all of the children in a separate part of the house. Having a group babysitter might make it a lot easier for the parents to attend your party. Designate an end time on the invitation if you want to make sure the party ends soon after midnight. This will let your guests know you aren’t up for partying until the early morning hours.

6) Be prepared to offer your guestroom or couch or a ride home to any of your guests who have had a little too much bubbly. Taxi services can be very busy on New Year’s Eve, so you might plan for designated drivers. As the party host, it’s up to you to make sure everyone has a safe time at your party

7) Remember to add the traditional New Year’s Eve props such as party hats, tiaras, and noisemakers. Station them in silver or crystal bowls around your house so your guests can choose the one that suits them best. Just because you’re inviting adults, doesn’t mean your party has to be dull.

8 ) Ask all of your guests to give you their three favorite songs when they RSVP for the party. Create a custom CD from this list with all of your guests’ favorites! Burn extra CDs for your guests with a custom cover created on your computer to give as party favors. Start things out mellow, but make sure the songs get a little bit faster and more fun through the night. Burn the songs onto a CD — and don’t be surprised if your guests want a copy at the end of the night!

9) In the hours leading up to midnight, form teams and play a game of charades or Pictionary. Words and names should all be related to people and events of 2010.

10) At midnight, there’ll be lots of kissing going on when everyone rings in the New Year. So place mints in your bathroom to keep things fresh!

11) How much ice, champagne, drinks, glasses will you need?
a. Figure about one pound of ice per guest.
b. Stock your kitchen with a variety of glasses and stemware. You may need martini and wine glasses, champagne flutes, tumblers, and straight glasses for highballs and spirits on the rocks. Put a few pint glasses in. Personally, I’d rather rent glasses than use plastic, but it’s up to you.
c. It’s a good rule of thumb to anticipate that each guest will have four drinks — this will help you shop for the right amount of liquor and mixers, give or take. Purchase ingredients for your signature cocktails, but keep some basic bottles like vodka, whiskey, gin, and rum on hand in the event that guests request more-traditional spirits.
d. You’re going to need plenty of mixers. Seltzer and tonic water as well as cranberry, orange, and grapefruit juice, and sodas such as cola and ginger ale, are must-have mixers.
e. Lemons, limes, olives, and maraschino cherries are important garnishes for a good cocktail. Prepare them ahead of time for colorful twists of flavor. Of course, you’ll need a small cutting board and a good knife. If you’re feeling crafty, try one of these great cocktail garnishes — they’re easier than you might expect!
f. When the night winds down, make a pot of strong coffee and keep the number of a cab company handy for guests who may have had too good of a time.

BONUS: At Your Service can help you plan and organize your party from beginning to end, or just handle a part of it. Call us if you need help. We can decorate your home, arrange for party help, pick up and return your rentals, do the clean up—whatever you need! 314.994.1382 or email your request to us!