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    Home » Recipes » Fun

    How To Host A Great New Year's Party!

    Published: Dec 22, 2014 · Modified: Dec 19, 2019 by Kelly Stilwell · This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

    Who's planning New Year’s party? If you haven’t hosted a New Year’s party before, or you’re wondering what you need to do to host a great party on New Year's Eve (or any time of year!), these tips are sure to help you!

    Having a New Year's Eve Party is a great way to stay safe and enjoy the company of good friends. No need to serve dinner, but have food like appetizers and of course drinks.

    How to Throw a Perfect Party

    Appetizers

    Finger foods are a must for any great New Year’s party, so you’ll want to have a variety of things to snack on, both cold and warm. This will keep people awake until midnight and it also gives you a chance to show off your cooking skills!

    I have some fabulous appetizers that are perfect for any party! Unless you are planning a seated dinner, make sure everything you serve is easy to eat standing or sitting on a chair or couch. As much as I love ribs, this would not be a great time to serve them.

    Seafood Salad Recipe

    This scallop and shrimp salad recipe is from a hotel in Mexico and it was fantastic. The chef was kind enough to share the recipe so I could share it with you.

    This seafood salad recipe from the Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall in Puerto Vallarta was one of the best things I've ever eaten. It's so easy to make at home!

    Fig & Blue Cheese Bites

    Combine sweet luscious figs and the tangy bite of blue cheese and you'll have the perfect bite-size treats for any holiday party! You’ll want to make them again and again.

    Fresh figs are one of my favorite foods, though they aren't always available. Pair them with blue cheese and you have a delicious appetizer! Add this to your easy recipes!
    fig ad blue cheese appetizers

    Broccoli Salad Recipe

    This is one of those recipes I see a lot at parties, and I always love it. For those who are committed to their Weight Watchers plan, this is just 4 points per serving.

    Ready for some new Weight Watchers Lunch Recipes? The Weight Watchers program will never tell you to skip a meal. That's important to me because I know skipping meals will simply lower my metabolism.

    Holiday Crostini

    An elegant appetizer that looks and tastes like it took you all day to make. This classy dish will fast become a favorite!

    This holiday crostini recipe is perfect for Christmas with the colorful tomato and arugula ingredients! Appetizers are always a hit at holiday parties, and it’s wise to have a vegetarian option. This is so easy, you’ll be out of the kitchen in no time!

    Olive Tapenade with Feta

    It’s hard to imagine so much taste in such a small space, but that’s exactly what this recipe is. A whole lot of taste in one tiny bowl! Easy to make and easier to love!

    This Olive Tapenade with Feta appetizer is the perfect food to serve at your Christmas or New Year's Party! The recipe is easy and delicious, and you'll be out of the kitchen in no time!

    Bacon Straws Appetizer

    What do you get when you combine crunchy breadsticks, parmesan cheese, and bacon? You get a Delicious (and fun to make!!) Bacon Straw! They’ll be a hit everyone will love!

    Who wouldn't love bacon straws? Perfectly crisp bacon wrapped around a thin rosemary breadstick is the best idea ever!

    Bruschetta

    Creamy goat cheese and firm, ripe tomatoes make for a delicious snack all on their own. Add in some sweet basil and garlic and spoon it over toasted bread and you have a masterpiece! 

    Desserts

    You must have desserts for the end of the evening.

    White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

    Creamy delicious white chocolate and plump juicy cranberries give this oatmeal cookie recipe a special flare! Very easy to make and a favorite for every holiday party!

    Recipes with Chocolate Chips

    Whether it’s Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate, or White Chocolate, these tasty little morsels are so versatile there isn’t much you CAN’T do with them! You'll love these recipes!

    And speaking of chocolate, this dessert drink is heavenly! Check out how to make a turtle cocktail.

    If you're wondering how to make a turtle cocktail, I've got you covered. We've taken all the deliciousness that's in a chocolate, caramel, and pecan turtle cluster and put it in an adult beverage.
    Turtle Cocktail

    The kids will love Pecha Poffins, a special Pokemon dessert

    Cocktails

    Of course, you must have cocktails for the grown-ups, and I have quite a few choices for you!

    Pear Martini Recipe

    This sparkling cocktail is fun and so easy to make. We always have sparkling wine or Prosecco on hand.

    This pear martini recipe is for those of you who don't really like the taste of alcohol! Made with sparkling wine, muddled pear, and a pear liqueur, it's delightful!

    French Martini

    Who loves a good martini? This is a sweeter version of the traditional, more like a Cosmo. Hope you like it!

    It took some experimenting to create this French Martini recipe, but it was so worth the effort! This might just be your new favorite cocktail!

    Sake Cruise

    I had this cocktail in Turks & Caicos a few years ago. So much fun!

    Decorations

    Hosting a great New Years party definitely requires some festive decorations. See the streamers, hats, and other decor makes the party more fun.

    Make a list of everything you need and be sure to set a timer so you're ready for the countdown at midnight. It helps to have the TV on so you can count down together.

    Activities

    Plan some games to keep everyone busy and interacting.

    Some of my favorite games are OK Boomer (adults only) and Beat That, which is family friendly.

    Encourage Conversation

    You'll probably have at least one or two shy guests who you might have to encourage to mingle. A great way to do this is to bring up a few topics related to the holidays, the weather, or favorite TV shows.

    Have a tip for a great New Years Party? Share in the comments!

    « White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
    Black Olive Tapenade with Feta »
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    Welcome! Food, Fun & Faraway Places® is a travel and food blog written by Kelly Stilwell. From delicious recipes to world travel, we’ve got you covered! Contact Kelly at kastilwell@gmail.com.

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