New Year’s Eve celebrations often go one of two ways — a fancy, expensive night out or an uneventful, inexpensive night at home on the couch.

Use our New Year’s Eve entertaining guide to plan a festive and fun night at home with friends and family, an evening that’s not too expensive or stressful.

Get Organized

Decorations should be cheery and festive, but there’s no need to go over-the-top. Party hats and noisemakers are a must — it is New Year’s Eve! — with candles, silver or gold streamers and baubles in glass vases. Don’t be afraid to repurpose holiday decorations.

Decide ahead of time if kids will be welcome at the party. If your event is going to be a more casual affair, it’s polite to let guests bring their children. Buy kid-friendly snacks and set up a few DVDs in another room. Parents will appreciate not having to worry about a babysitter.

For the adults, make sure that you have plenty of seating and room for dancing, but don’t hesitate to put out some trivia or board games. Set your iPod playlist ahead of time and leave it.

Food

You can avoid serving dinner and stick to offering snacks and munchies by welcoming guests for 9 p.m.

Opt for a buffet-style table to serve your food.

Find a festive tablecloth and make a centerpiece of party favours and noisemakers in a vase (guests can take them home later.) Place a box or two under the tablecloth to create different levels for food presentation.

Be sure to set out lots of plates and napkins (disposable are OK, really) and if you can, make the buffet table accessible from both sides.

Buffet food ideas:

• Cheese board with crackers
• Vegetables and dip (peanut sauce is tasty and a different take on a traditional appetizer, but beware of allergies)
• Sliders (mini hamburgers)
• Baked crab dip
• Assorted cookies and squares

If a guest offers to bring something, don’t hesitate to say yes!

Drinks

Serve the alcoholic beverages in a designated bar-area.

For glassware, it’s surprisingly affordable to rent and you don’t have to worry about breakage or washing. Because it’s New Year’s Eve, plastic is acceptable as well, but make sure to have proper wine glasses.

Anticipate that each person will use two glasses and have three drinks. Two pounds of ice per person will ensure that you don’t run out.

For the wine, you can keep things simple by serving one red, one white and one sparkling. Watch our videos on holiday reds and holiday whites for assistance.

Create a special cocktail for the occasion, including a non-alcoholic version for the designated drivers and non-drinkers.

Offer a selection of standard liquors and beers. While you don’t have to offer a full bar, it’s considerate to stock beverages that you know the crowd will enjoy.

Last Minute Tricks

Presentation is half the battle when planning a party. While you may feel pressure to decorate the house to the nines and make all the appetizers yourself, don’t overreach.

If you don’t have time to prepare a fancy or unique appetizer, high-end grocery store prepared foods are a good, if somewhat expensive, solution.

Alternatively, a selection of high-quality cheeses and meats with crackers will satisfy your guests. And don’t underestimate simple, crowd-pleasing snacks like popcorn and frozen chicken wings.

If you haven’t vacuumed or dusted in three weeks, no one will notice your decorations. A clean house is absolutely necessary for a successful party. And don’t forget the bathroom!

Don’t be afraid to ask a friend for help or to contract out the fussier aspects. No one wants to attend a party with a frazzled host.

amcneely@wineaccess.ca

Photo: Amyn Kassam