Another NYE Party Opinion post

nthomas983

Because I am bored I have been trying to plan our NYE party.

We have about 10 people coming over (possibly closer to 15...still some "maybes" out there) at 8:00.  We're doing apps and providing a small assortment of drinks (telling guests to chip in with their favorite beer, wine, or champagne if they would like).

We have several party games (Cranium, Wits and Wagers, Guesstures, Catchphrase, and a Wii) that will be available. We will also have a bonfire in our backyard fire pit if people want to brave the cold and hang out outside.

Foodstuffs:

Chicken salad stuffed pastries

Spinach Artichoke dip in a bread bowl

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms

Veggie tray

Assorted mini-cheesecakes

Brownies

 

For the bar:

Champagne punch

Assorted beers (probably get the Kirkland's Best variety pack from Costco)

Assorted wines (a couple bottles each of red and white - whatever is on sale)

Vodka

Gin

Jack Daniel's

Assorted mixers/non-alcoholic drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, Tonic, maybe a couple of juices)

 

What do you think? Is this a party you would like to attend? We haven't hosted a NYE party before, so I'm trying not to get too caught up in it. Do you think we have enough variety in food and drink? Ways so improve? Thanks for your feedback.

chucktgirl

Sounds good, but you definitely need more food, especially if you have up to 15, and the party starts at 8, so you've go to plan on people nibbling for at least 5 hours. Maybe add a chilled pasta salad with veggies, a fruit plate, cheese and sausage tray, and bowls of pretzels, chips, and nuts set around the room. With so many hours of drinking before midnight, you want to make sure people aren't getting hammered. Other fun food items that go over well at our parties are buffalo chicken dip, cheesy potatoes, layered Mexican dip, and hummus has been hot lately, for those watching their diets--it can be served with both pita triangles and granny smith apple slices. The bar sounds great. I love games, so that's appealing. You might also want to set out a couple decks of cards. While I don't enjoy it, I see a lot of impromptu Texas Hold 'em games popping up lately. Enjoy!

madelyn07

I agree that you need to add some more food...I like the Mexican layered dip idea and cheese/crackers tray. Maybe some chicken wings or pinwheel type rollups. The cold pasta salad is a good idea, too.

The bar sounds good...I'd definitely get a few bottles of various juices. 

Sounds like a good time! Have fun! 

 

nthomas983

chucktgirl:

Sounds good, but you definitely need more food, especially if you have up to 15, and the party starts at 8, so you've go to plan on people nibbling for at least 5 hours. Maybe add a chilled pasta salad with veggies, a fruit plate, cheese and sausage tray, and bowls of pretzels, chips, and nuts set around the room. With so many hours of drinking before midnight, you want to make sure people aren't getting hammered. Other fun food items that go over well at our parties are buffalo chicken dip, cheesy potatoes, layered Mexican dip, and hummus has been hot lately, for those watching their diets--it can be served with both pita triangles and granny smith apple slices. The bar sounds great. I love games, so that's appealing. You might also want to set out a couple decks of cards. While I don't enjoy it, I see a lot of impromptu Texas Hold 'em games popping up lately. Enjoy!

That's a good point. A lot of my friends are Mexican food-obsessed, so I bet a dip like that would be great. And hummus is always popular. Maybe I can find a couple of different kinds (roasted red pepper, garlic, and plain, perhaps).  And I'm always looking for ways to incorporate more cheese in my diet, so a cheese/sausage/crackers tray would be good for that

Thanks for the input!

TarHeels&Rebels

Ditto others - 5 hours is a long time and you'll need lots of food.  I think you have a good selection of heavier apps, I'd add in some of the lighter ones like pps have suggested.

dougsbestgirl

The bar list looks good.  

I would definitely add in some lighter appetizers.  Cheese and crackers are always a good option.  Hummus is good.  You could just have pita, people could also dip the veggies if they'd like.  A cold pasta salad would be an easy addition.  We do a blue cheese dip that is a crowd pleaser.  It is served with apple and pear slices (and toasted pecan halves if desired) and is nice and light.  

 Here's the recipe if you are interested: 

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sour cream

1/2 tsp white pepper

1/4 tsp salt

4 oz (1 cup) crumbled blue cheese

1/3 cup minced chives 

In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, pepper and salt until smooth.  Fold in the blue cheese and chives.   

Adjudi-Kate

Just to make for some fun pictures, you might consider having glow necklaces, silly hats, mardi gras beads, or crowns for people to wear.  My friend always has paper tiaras at her NYE party and the girls love wearing them. The food sounds yummy and so does the champagne punch - I would come to your party!   

lauraoct10th

a Taco/Nacho station would be easy to do too.

The games sound great bought I love catchphase and wii! So you already had me.

Have a safe and happy new year!!

 

jdbmjm

If you want, since this will be going on with the same group for several hours, you can even rotate out your food. If you do a taco/ nacho bar (which sounds great for mexican food obsessed fans- like me!) have that out early and then take it away and put out different foods- dips, veggies, cheeses, etc. I also like bruchetta, which is easy to make in large quantities. 

nthomas983

Thanks so much for everyone's suggestions! I love the party favors/silly hats idea - I think I'll leave the digital camera out so that we can get some crazy pictures.

I almost feel like I need to plan another party soon so I can use all of the food ideas. Ha!

Temp196674625001379

oooo I'm stealing the bluecheese dip recipe!