Make a DIY Balloon Garland
Set the tone of your New Year’s Eve party by hanging a DIY balloon garland above the serving area. As soon as guests walk in, they’ll know this is going to be a party to remember. A large balloon garland might look intimidating, but it’s actually super quick and easy to make. We purchased a package of balloons in various shades of pink, then used a string of balloon garland tape (yes, that’s a thing!) to create the body of our garland. We hung the garland with string and nails, adding a few sprigs of greenery and a couple of large blooms to finish the look.
Dress Up the Bubbly
We’re obsessed with floral ice, and it’s the perfect way to keep your bubbly cold and add some decoration at the same time. It’s easier than it looks, too! Start with a store-bought bouquet of pink and purple flowers; cut the flowers so they lay flat, and pull a few petals from the larger blooms. Fill square silicone ice trays about two-thirds of the way with distilled water (it freezes clear, unlike regular tap water) and freeze for a few hours. When the ice is solid, take the tray out and arrange petals and small flowers on top of the ice; fill the remaining third of each mold with more distilled water and freeze again. Right before the party starts, empty your floral ice into a drink bucket or tray, and add a bottle of bubbly.
Confetti Champagne Bottles
You can’t throw a New Year’s Eve party without a fun party favor, and we are loving these mini champagne bottles covered in confetti. Guests might think these are professionally-made party favors, but the adorable bottles are easy to DIY. To make them, purchase a set of mini bottles, shiny confetti, and spray adhesive. The adhesive and glitter combo can get messy, so we recommend putting newspaper down before you start. Spray a light coat of adhesive to a mini bottle, then sprinkle on the confetti. To get the fully covered look, you’ll probably need a few coats of adhesive and confetti. Repeat the process for each bottle and let them dry overnight before finishing them off with one of our free printable tags.
DIY Decor
We are loving the acrylic sign trend, and we’re even more obsessed with how it looks with gold lettering. These signs are quick and easy to make and even easier to display, which makes them perfect for a New Year’s Eve party at home. We cut gold vinyl and attached it to an acrylic sign to make this DIY party decoration. Make your own with our free printable pattern. If you don’t have a way to cut vinyl, just print the pattern, tape it to the back of the acrylic sheet, and trace the lettering with a gold paint pen.
Decorate with Fresh Flowers
For New Year’s Eve party decor that’s simple and chic, fresh flowers are an easy way to tie the whole setup together, especially if you’re working with a color scheme. To match the floral elements in the balloon garland, we created small arrangements of the same flowers to display on the buffet table—this is a great way to add a pop of color to an area with a lot of neutral colors (like our snack bar).
Party Activity: Champagne Tasting Cards
Once your guests have had a chance to mingle and pour themselves a glass, break out the New Year’s Eve party games! Our free printable tasting cards are a fun way for guests to try different kinds of champagne and compare notes with other guests. If you’re planning to use the tasting cards, serve at least three different kinds of champagne.
Party Food: Simple Snacks
Keep the snack bar light and fun; arrange an assortment of finger foods on the bar for easy snacking and sipping. Keep the prep easy with a variety of store-bought snacks. Popcorn, nuts, chocolates, and gummy candies are good bite-size options—plus they match the party color scheme!
Party Food: Baked Brie with Roasted Garlic
If you’ll be supplying guests with several choices of champagne and cocktails, consider adding a more substantial snack to the party menu. This appetizer is one of our favorites because it’s small enough for grab-and-go snacking, and it’s more filling than candy or popcorn. You can never go wrong with bread covered in cheese, and these bite-size snacks are as classy as they are delicious.
