Tips to keep in mind while planning New Year’s Eve party at home

This New Years’ will be a time to reflect, be grateful for all that one has. Celebrating small with an emphasis on bringing in the joy with your dearest and nearest while being responsible should be this year’s motto. Nothing brings joy like a table full of food and lots of games (which don’t require props/boards) — host a game night or a drinking game that involving all your guests is a great way to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Party be hosted at any location such as a terrace, balcony or even your living room with windows open to enjoy Chennai’s rare and cool December weather. The food can be pre-packaged in individual boxes for easy consumption and can be simple like dips and chips or more filling like a yummy homemade biryani. — Krishna Bezwada, Bezinto wedding planners 

The small details make a huge difference when planning intimate home parties — it can be about having a few floral arrangements around the house or decking up the dining table with candle votives and floral runners or even some balloons around the house for creating the right ambiance and mood. 

Weave a theme for your New Year party: Having a theme helps plan your evening around it — you can have elements that tie the theme together. Call a florist or a decorator to help you with the arrangements or you could also do a DIY decor with flowers, candles and potpourri. These make a lot of impacts and make it memorable for your guests. And ask your guests to dress up according to the theme. 

Light it up: Make sure to include lights as part of the decor. A string of bulbs across your lawn or balcony area and few fairy lights around add the necessary glam to your new year party. Throw in some cozy seating like a few floor pillows for people to relax and create a laid back atmosphere. 

Eat, drink and be merry: Beverage station with glass pitchers and dispensers/mason jars with cocktails and mocktails or even a DIY station with mixers and fruits to garnish are an interesting and stress-free way to keep the party going with great eats and flowing drinks. 

Everyone loves food: Guests look forward to the food at any party. So have food that guests can eat through the night. You can have more finger foods or appetisers as part of the menu followed by a late-night dinner. You can also whip up something at home to add a personal touch. A potluck also is a fun and stress-free way to enjoy the evening with friends. Have some colourful and fun desserts as part of the menu. Most importantly, always put the food where you want people to be. 

Dance area floor: Some of you would have dinner parties and some of you dance parties. If you are planning a dance party indoors, make sure you move around your furniture and create an open space for guests to groove and deck it up with some lights and other mellow accents. And keep those playlists ready with a varied mix of songs and do add a fun signage/quote encouraging your guests to hit the dance floor. 

Games/favours: Have some games planned for the party. You can organise a spin the wheel dare or a beer pong or even a trivia reflex game for groups to play. You can also give out return favours to kick off the New Year on a happy note. The favours can be just a small pouch of chocolates or a dessert in a jar to start the year on a sweet note. 

Once people arrive just have fun: Never let the party stress you out. Once you have everything in place, just let go and have loads of fun because everybody deserves to be happy on New Year’s Day.