| Everyone's idea of how to spend New Year's Eve | | | | champagne and other "elegant" foods like tasty |
| is a little different. Some prefer a quiet evening at | | | | canapés, a variety of cheeses with bread |
| home with a spouse or immediate family, some | | | | or crackers, tartlets, caviar, and fancy desserts. |
| go to bed long before the ball drops, and others | | | | A formal sit-down dinner should include some |
| hit the town for a rowdy night of partying or | | | | items that can be made in advance so that the |
| invite 100 of their closest friends to their home to | | | | hostess can join in the fun instead of spending |
| ring in the New Year with glamour and style. For | | | | time in the kitchen. (Have some extra money to |
| the latter group of individuals, planning just the | | | | spend? Hire a caterer, a server, and a clean-up |
| right party is a task that begins long before the | | | | crew!) |
| coming year is in sight. | | | | If you want to be a little less formal, go with |
| If you're opening your house to guests on New | | | | something a little more whimsical. Decorate with |
| Year's Eve, there are a number of options to be | | | | light-hearted, traditional New Year's Eve decor like |
| considered when planning a party. | | | | top hats (usable as party hats), glitter glasses, |
| First of all, will this be an adult event or a | | | | silver and black balloons, and streamers or |
| family-friendly celebration? If you're going to | | | | banners. Candles, as always, are essential, and a |
| include kids, your party can still be stylish, but | | | | huge, gaudy candelabra is especially suitable for |
| you'll need to be sure to have plenty of activities | | | | this fun occasion. You can add extra pizzazz to |
| planned to keep them busy. They'll probably be | | | | the table by dusting it with gold stars of all sizes. |
| excited, however, so keep these activities short | | | | Have a big basket of noisemakers ready to mark |
| and not too complicated. Consider letting the | | | | the midnight hour. Food can be simple yet served |
| children help decorate their room or space | | | | elegantly on silver platters, in crystal bowls, and |
| (perhaps the den or a finished basement) when | | | | other tableware that sparkles. Or choose high-end |
| they arrive and plan a few easy craft projects | | | | paper or plastic products for easy cleanup. These |
| that don't require a lot of adult supervision (or pay | | | | days, many throw-aways look almost like the real |
| an older child a few dollars to help). Make party | | | | thing! |
| horns or other noisemakers for use later in the | | | | Of course, you can also celebrate in style with |
| evening or have kids make a collage from the | | | | just your special someone. |
| year's newspapers or magazines. Keep alcohol | | | | Plan a quiet, formal dinner for the two of you. If |
| consumption to a minimum and have some | | | | you're in charge of organizing dinner, hire a |
| sparkling cider on hand so the kids can celebrate | | | | personal chef for an evening or consider ordering |
| at midnight as well. | | | | from a gourmet store and have the food |
| If your party is designed for adults only, there are | | | | delivered (or pick it up) so you don't need to |
| a bevy of options for celebrating in style. | | | | spend lots of time in the kitchen. Make sure food |
| If elegance is your preference, choose plenty of | | | | selections are favorites so you're not surprised |
| sparkle for your decorations. Include lots of | | | | with something you find less than enjoyable and |
| candles of all shapes and sizes and make liberal | | | | include a bottle or two of your favorite wine or |
| use of glitter by covering candles with glue or | | | | champagne to enjoy with dinner and at midnight. |
| double-faced tape and rolling them in glitter. Place | | | | Purchase lots of fresh flowers for the table, |
| mirrors under the candles for more shine. Make | | | | include a few tall taper candles, and use elegant |
| use of your gold or silver Christmas balls by | | | | dinnerware like your best china and silver. Dress |
| hanging them throughout your home or placing | | | | for a night on the town to give the evening that |
| them in a large glass bowl or vase. | | | | special touch for this special holiday. |
| If you plan to serve hors d'oeuvres, appetizers | | | | Have a wonderful celebration as you enter the |
| and other finger food only, set up stations that | | | | New Year ! |
| make it easier to move about and mingle. Include | | | | |