As in every journey in life, when it comes to planning your New Year’s Eve party you have to start at the beginning and getting started is what you need once you have made a decision of taking the lead.
It’s all about inspiration, enthusiasm, and awareness. Once you are open minded enough, just bring together the team that will help you and start the journey toward entering 2017 in a big way!
So let’s get a little systematic here! What about a step by step helpful guide filled with tips and inspiring ideas? Ready for the journey?
Getting Started
Where to begin? It’s all about gathering the information. Decide who you want to be with when the fireworks start going off. Make a list. Consider if you will ask for RSVP online or over the phone. Consider what the group of people you will invite have in common. What kind of music they like? What kind of food they eat? How easy is for them to get to the place to be designated?
Create an Agenda
After you have decided what kind of food will be served, what kind of music will be played, and where the party will happen you’ll need to make arrangements with catering, grocery shopping (if you or someone else is cooking), creating a playlist, and so far.
Invitation, Online Page, and RSVP
Decide how you want to invite your guests. You can create a WhatsApp group, a Facebook event page, or simply call them. You can make a combination of two out of the three options or use them all. It’s important that they have as much information as they can, including the people who will be invited. New Year’s Eve is a very sensitive date so unless it’s a party of two, don’t count on yourself as being the only attraction. If you are charging for the party, make sure you have all the information clear - date and time, how to pay, and what they will be paying for or bringing. Communicate!
Market Your Party
No matter how small you get together is, keep in touch with the people you want to have at your party. Make them understand what you have in mind in the first place. Get input (suggestions, requests ), feedback, and have your guests interact with each other. Create a buzz. Use images, songs and symbols that will make them get in the mood before the event itself. Create value!
Have a Budget
You don’t want to start 2017 in the red, do you? So plan on the financials. Whether you’re paying for the whole party yourself or you are having people to pitch in, don’t spend more than you can. It’s so easy to get excited about the party along the way (especially if people start getting excited, too) and overspend. Be even more aware during the days and hours that precede the event. You will be a little tense and the fear of frustration can drive you towards spending more than you had planned.
Manage
Don’t get carried away by emotion. Manage your (hundreds of) tasks. Get people engaged and involved. Make sheets and keep track of the progress. Making lists and staying organized is important before, during, and even after the party.
Table Seating
If your party will be a little more formal, make sure you have table seating defined. It’s great for improving interaction if you don’t plan on having people dancing and hanging around the house or wherever it’s going to happen.
Organize your Onsite Team
Gather the team who will help you at the party. Have processes in mind and share them with the whole team in advance. Making a pre-party meeting is never a bad idea. Pick enthusiasts and the people you can count on (avoid over-drinkers). Again, no matter what size your party is going to be, this is as a good tip for a big party or a small get together.
Have Fun
Be cool with the unexpected. Be cool with as much as you can. It’s a new year arriving with a lot to deal for everyone, so start off with a good attitude. Enjoy your party, interact, smile and have a blast.
Tips
The Food
If it’s a real party you have in mind, people most likely won’t have so much time or concern for sitting down and eating. Have in mind that this isn’t Christmas or Thanksgiving we are talking about. Check here for foods and appetizers that will get your party going.
The Drinks
Some will drink socially, some will not drink, and some will binge. Make sure you have it all set so everyone is satisfied. Surprise your guests with the unexpected. Here’s a list of stunning cocktails to awe your guests. For those who don’t drink alcohol, here’s another one with delicious alcohol-free New Year’s eve cocktails for designated drivers, the pregnant, the underaged and the abstemious.
The Decor
Of course this is directly related to the kind of party or the theme you choose. Keep in mind the budget and how doable it is going to be at this point. Here are some awesome last minute New Year’s decoration ideas to get you inspired.
Gifts
There’s still time for personalized New Year’s gifts you can present your guests with, so that they have something to relive the memorable times they had at your party. Or you can also get a dozen roses and put them in a mason jar. They can also work as part of the decoration. How charming is that!
No matter what kind of party you are having - big, small, formal, or relaxed - it has be to be fun from the beginning until the day after. Follow this step-by-step guide and click on the links for tips and inspiration.
It’s a new year arriving around the corner, full of good things that will surprise you and accomplishments to be celebrated.
How is your New Year’s Eve party going to happen? Have you gotten started yet? Share with us how things are going on your side! Use our Facebook page and the comments area below to share your thoughts and ideas.
