Ringing in the New Year is so much fun, and it can be done in so many different ways. You may be celebrating with a small group of people enjoying a casual night in, or you might be partying the night away with a large group of friends.
No matter what you envision, if you’re hosting this year, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here are 7 fun New Years Eve party ideas everyone is sure to love!
#1 Fondue Bar
We’ve mentioned before that we thought a fondue pot would be a really thoughtful idea to give to a host, and this is why…it’s great for parties!
So if you’re hosting NYE this year, break out your fondue pot (or 2) and get the cheese or chocolate rolling. You can find a few great recipes here.
You can make this fondue bar the centerpiece of your event. Be sure to provide a lot of different things to dip and try, and that’s sure to make it a major hit! The options are endless, and who doesn’t want to ring in the new year with cheese and chocolate? Yum.
If you don’t already own a fondue pot, this one is a good choice.
#2 Conversation Card Circle
Form a circle, pop some popcorn, and help bring back conversation and connection to your parties this New Years Eve by using one of our Conversation Card sets.
These Conversation Cards one can be used in conjunction with any of the other ideas on this list. With a set of cards for every occasion, you’re sure to never feel the awkwardness of not knowing what to say again.
If you’re having a more intimate gathering, you might opt for the dating, legacy, or family cards. If you’re hosting a larger group of people, the Holiday or Gathering cards might be a perfect choice!
No matter which set you choose, these are a great way to make your guests feel included and loved.
#3 Midnight Breakfast Theme
Host the first breakfast of the year at your house! You can dance, play games, and chat all while eating arguably one of the best meals of the day–breakfast.
The best thing about breakfast is it’s so versatile. Bagels, fruits, sausage, waffles, biscuits and gravy, doughnuts, yogurt parfait, quiches…you get the picture! Choose your favorite breakfast bar theme, and it’s sure to be a hit. And if you don’t mind your friends staying a little past midnight, it can be their first breakfast of the New Year.
#4 Photo Booth
A photo booth is a great way to bring a lot of fun to your party! To set up a photo booth, choose a large, well lit location and hang a backdrop that matches your theme. Ensure good lighting for clear photos, and gather props and accessories for guests to use. Set up a camera on a tripod, use a smartphone with a timer, or opt for an instant camera so guests can bring home printed copies of their pictures.
Encourage everyone to have fun and get creative! The goal is to create an interactive experience for guests to capture memorable moments.
#5 Countdown Bags or Balloon Pop
Countdown Bags or Balloon Pops are gaining popularity–especially for families with children. These countdowns are great because they can be more low-key and done at home so the younger kids can sleep, while the older kids can still have something fun and exciting to do until midnight.
All you have to do is decide how many hours you are going to do this for, and then create a bag or blow up a balloon for each hour. For example, if you decide to start at 7pm and go until midnight, then you’ll need 6 paper bags or balloons for each hour.
You can include activities, puzzles, games, or challenges on slips of paper in each bag or balloon. The options are truly endless!
If you want some specific ideas, Cupcakes and Cutlery has some great options and so does The Idea Room. The ideas in each bag and balloon can be simple, such as watch a movie, eat ice cream, play a game of Uno, pull out Conversation Cards, etc. It doesn’t have to be crazy–just something fun to help your guests bond and have fun.
This is a great tradition that can be carried on for years to come.
#6 Year of Favorites
This is a fun and easy idea! Have each guest bring their favorite part of a meal from a nearby restaurant. For example, they might bring fries from the best local diner, sushi from your favorite spot, nachos from a great Mexican restaurant, etc.
The goal is to create a smorgasbord of everyone’s favorite things from restaurants in your area. This is a great way to sample different foods you may not have tried before, and also an easy option since no one has to cook. It’s a great time, and also really fun to see what everyone else likes.
#7 Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards have been living in the spotlight for a while now, and for good reason–they’re a great way to serve a crowd and are so fun!
The best part about charcuterie boards is that there are endless options. You can pull out all of the stops or keep it simple, and they offer an easy grazing option for guests.
You might choose to keep it simple and have one large spread, or mix it up and make different boards for different themes ranging from the traditional meat and cheese board to an appetizer or dessert board. If you’re looking for inspiration, we love this Platters and Boards book. It has many different ideas that are sure to make your NYE party a hit!
7 Fun NYE Party Ideas
We hope you enjoyed this round up of New Years Eve party ideas.
If you’re worried about the group of people you assembled, the conversation lagging, or people not having fun–don’t forget to use these conversation cards. They are truly big heroes in a small box when it comes to building connections with family and friends.
Hosting can be a big job, but our hope is that having a few fun ideas in your back pocket will help you throw an amazing party.
