Christmas may have come and gone but the festivities aren’t over. It’s time to prepare our home to welcome a new year. Best-selling author Debbie Macomber shares 3 tips for hosting a party on New Year’s Eve, including a recipe from her cookbook Debbie Macomber’s Table: Sharing the Joy of Cooking with Family and Friends.
It’s time to reflect on 2018’s best memories and toast to moments yet to come. I really love the sense of excitement, hope and enthusiasm we feel at this time of year, so let’s celebrate with a party that welcomes 2019!
Gather the party hats, confetti, and champagne and get ready to ring in a new year with my tips to hosting an evening everyone will love!
1. Set the Scene
In the days following Christmas, pack up your jolly décor and make way for a bright future. I find that using seasonal storage pieces designed just for decorations keeps my most treasured pieces organized and protected. And these heavy duty bags are just great. They even come with wheels on the bottom like luggage, which makes taking everything out and putting it away so much easier.
Now that the holly and greenery are out of the way, let the new year shine through. Add some sparkle by sprinkling metallic confetti up the length of the table and small votive candles to reflect the light. These seemingly simple items create a beautiful centerpiece. Have gold or silver hats, tiaras, and noisemakers on hand for guests of all ages to enjoy.
2. Menus & Must-Haves
Choose the best party style for you, then cater your menu to that evening’s theme. If you have young children or you’re not a night owl, host a sit-down dinner—just be sure it’s simple and manageable so you can enjoy it alongside your guests. Bring everyone to the table with roasted chicken and root vegetables—this way you can socialize while the main course finishes cooking.
Looking for more of a late-night event? Make it all about the appetizers, they are easier to manage the closer you get to midnight. Choose lighter fare like artisanal cheese, crackers, and vegetables paired with hearty apps like meatballs, garlic pizza knots, or even mini-sliders served on a stand. (Find the Garlic Pizza Knots recipe from my cookbook, Debbie Macomber’s Table at the end of this post.)
But one thing every party has in common is a great dessert, like homemade fortune cookies. These tasty treats are a sweet ending to the year that gives your guests a glimpse into their future with small notes you write ahead of time.
3. Favor Your Intentions
Leave a lasting impression with guests at the end of the night with a signature favor. Share your 2019 goals with friends and family and invite them to do the same by giving them dry erase magnets and markers. They can write their dreams down and easily view them each day on the refrigerator. Or you can inspire others to set their own intentions.
As you know, I choose a word to focus on each year. If you do that too, pass along the tradition with bookmarks or key chains that they can customize with their special word or phrase to help empower them each day of the new year.
As promised, I am sharing my Garlic Pizza Knots recipe here. Enjoy!
For more holiday entertaining ideas on the blog, go here and here.
