Here are New Year's Eve parties that will entertain your friends and family this season.
Want your guests to look forward to your next New Years Eve Party? An open bar and a few snacks might be okay for some people, but it won't make them say, "I can't wait for John and Mary's next party." A little planning can turn your party into a memorable event.
What makes a good party? Good food, drinks, fun entertainment and the right mix of people. Many people feel uncomfortable at parties. One of your most important hostess duties is to make your guests feel comfortable.
Atmosphere is the first tool to make your guests feel welcome. Talk to their senses:
Before your guests arrive make sure to check the thermostat, you don't want the house too warm or too cold for guests who are less active. Choose what you feel is a moderate setting, probably a little cooler than normal to adjust for the extra warm bodies. Place a few scented candles throughout the house. People tend to congregate near the food so keep this room well lit. Try to avoid bright overhead lights in other rooms; make them people friendly by using lamps or low-watt bulbs. If your main party room is large, you might turn on music to set the mood, just set the volume low enough so people can still talk. If your party will be smoke-free, place a few chairs and ashtrays on your patio or deck within a lit area for smokers.
When your guests arrive, welcome them with a handshake or pat on the back then get them something to drink and introduce them to at least one other guest before leaving them to greet your next guest.
Once you have a good group it's time for an icebreaker. A good game to play at a New Year's Eve party is trivia. You can either purchase the game Trivia or a book with trivia questions and answers listed or allow your guests the option of asking their own (as long as they're certain of the answer).
Another fun game is a challenge between teams. Divide into two teams and select a leader to represent the group. Have each group huddle to come up with a topic: A famous person, place, movie or book. Each member of the team offers a clue without using the word or words of the selected topic. The second group works together to come up the correct answer. Keep score (the number of guesses it takes to come up with the correct answer). This game can continue for most of the evening if your guests are receptive.
A standard game, charades, is always welcome at most parties. Your guests should be quite relaxed by mid-evening, a good time to act out selections you have selected before the party.
As midnight nears, pass out drinks to each of your guests and offer a toast to the coming New Year. Offer coffee shortly after so guests can get ready for the drive home. You last responsibility of the evening is to make sure that everyone has a safe trip home which includes making sure that anyone who has had a little too much to drink has a ride home.
