It has been so crazy this Christmas season that I really had trouble grasping that the new year was quickly upon us! I mean I really almost forgot all about it! Maybe I am struggling with the fact that the years are going by so fast the older I get (I mean you all know how much trouble I had coming to grips with my birthday this year!).
But the truth of the matter, 2012 starts Sunday at 12:01! And in case you wanted to end 2011 with a bang (and most of you do!), check out my tips, ticks, and ideas in the article below (written for meal planning/recipe site Food on the Table) for throwing a last minute New Year’s Eve party on a budget!
It’s hard to believe that the year is quickly coming to an end; start 2012 off on the right note by hosting a fabulously frugal New Year’s Eve party at home. Use the tips below to ring in the New Year right on budget.
Decorate on a dime: Gold, sliver, black and white are all classic color combinations to decorate for a New Year’s celebration. Use an assortment of inexpensive clocks as décor and set them to go off at midnight. Or go for a number theme and have the number twelve displayed on everything from centerpieces to paper goods.
Food: Since most New Year’s parties last well past midnight, choose to start your party around 9 pm and serve light appetizers or just desserts. Most appetizer foods, like nuts, cheese, crackers, and premade meatballs, as well as baking products, are popular sale items at the grocery stores this time of year. Stock up on these items and save big while still serving a festive holiday spread of food.
Drinks: No New Year’s party would be complete without cocktails and a champagne toast! To keep liquor costs low, consider serving a signature cocktail, such as a classic Cosmo or bubbly punch, in addition to wine and beer. Check your local liquor store to see if they offer discounts for buying in bulk or consider buying your beer and wine from a warehouse store to receive maximum discounts.
Entertainment: A New Year’s Eve party can simply be a time to socialize with old friends. But if wanting to add additional entertainment, consider these ideas: rent a karaoke machine, have a board game tournament, play charades or put together a time capsule of this year’s big events to be reopened at next year’s party.
Staying at home to celebrate New Year’s Eve is a great, safe way to ring in the New Year with friends and family. Check out the links below for additional New Year’s Eve party tips and recipes.
Appetizers:
All Mixed Up Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers (Kitchen Concoctions)
Seven Layer Greek Dip (How Sweet Eats)
Chesapeake Bay Snack Mix (Kitchen Concoctions)
Cranberry-Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip (Mel’s Kitchen Cafe)
Black Bean Hummus (Kitchen Concoctions)
Desserts:
Espresso Brownies (Kitchen Concoctions)
Mud Hens (Taste and Tell Blog)
Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes (Kitchen Concoctions)
Oreo Pudding Cookies (The Girl Who Ate Everything)
Extreme Peanut Butter Cookies (Kitchen Concoctions)
Beverages:
Cranberry Mimosa (Kitchen Concoctions)
Pomegranate Blueberry Mocktail (Annie Eat’s)
Eggnog Martini (Kitchen Concoctions)
Decorations and Entertaining:
New Year’s Tree (Our Best Bites)
The Black-eyed Pea Tradition (Kitchen Concoctions)
Happy New Year Card Idea (Martha Stewart)
Easy Ideas for New Year’s Tables Settings (Better Homes and Garden)
Leave a Reply