As 2025 begins to draw to a close, it's time to start planning and preparing to celebrate the new year. Whether you choose a quiet evening at home with family or host a grand New Year's party, there are many ways to make the evening memorable. Here we have gathered tips on luxurious food and fun activities that will take your New Year's celebration to the next level!
3 Tips for a Successful New Year's Party
To succeed with your New Year's celebration and impress your guests, more is required than just good food and pleasant company. Therefore, start planning well in advance and preferably have a plan for the entire evening. Here are 3 tips that will make your New Year's party a night to remember!
Tip 1. Host a Themed New Year's Party
Theme parties make everything a little more fun! Invite guests to a party with a The Great Gatsby or red carpet theme where guests can dress up in elegant 1920s attire or gala outfits. A clear theme makes the party both more enjoyable and memorable.
Tip 2. Create a Festive New Year's Table Setting
The New Year's dinner where you sit down around the table together is one of the highlights of the celebration. So plan not only the food but also a New Year's themed table setting. Decorate with candles and sparkling details like silver cutlery and napkin rings for a festive touch. Want more inspiration on how to set the table for New Year's? See tips for an elegant New Year's table setting here.
Tip 3. Prepare Activities and Games
Once dinner is over, some games and activities can lift the mood and pass the time before midnight. If you have a lot to do preparing for the New Year's celebration, you can delegate the responsibility to one or a few guests to prepare some fun games that keep the party atmosphere high.
Luxurious New Year's Menu with 3 Courses
Besides setting off fireworks and toasting at midnight, a delicious three-course dinner is the perfect way to welcome the new year. Whether you plan a classic, Asian, or perhaps vegetarian New Year's menu, a luxurious multi-course dinner can be the highlight of New Year's Eve. Here are some dish suggestions for a three-course New Year's Eve menu.
Starter for New Year's Eve: Luxurious Vendace Roe Toast
A classic Toast Skagen is an excellent starter for New Year's that most people enjoy, but how about serving a Skagen toast with a luxurious twist this year? Fry a good bread and serve with red onion, smetana, lemon, and fresh vendace roe for a luxurious vendace roe toast. Missing the shrimp? Add a dollop of Skagen mix and top with vendace roe for a starter that is both classic and luxurious.
Main Course for New Year's: Beef Tenderloin, Seafood, or Fish
The main course on the New Year's menu should reflect the evening's luxury. A safe winner is beef tenderloin with roasted vegetables or a flavorful lobster. If you prefer not to eat red meat, a fish main course is also a good choice. Opt for a dish with cod that is less heavy than meat, paired with, for example, a white wine sauce and asparagus. This is just as delicious and also a more budget-friendly option.
Dessert in a Glass for New Year's: Simple Cheesecake or Chocolate Mousse
When you have already prepared two dishes in the kitchen, a simpler dessert served in a glass is a practical option. Try a creamy chocolate mousse served with fresh berries, or whip up a cheesecake mixture layered with berries and crushed cookies for a luxurious and tasty cheesecake in a glass without baking! A perfect dessert that looks festive and is easy to prepare.
What Can You Do on New Year's?
Besides gathering for a pleasant dinner and toasting the new year under fireworks, the New Year's party is the perfect occasion for lively games and mood-boosting activities. Here we have gathered our best New Year's games that are guaranteed to get the party started!
Tips for Fun New Year's Games
1. Champagne Pong - a Luxurious Version of Beer Pong
If you have played the classic drinking game beer pong, you know what a mood booster it can be at a party. As a variation for the New Year's party, just swap the beer glasses for elegant champagne coupes and play the same way as classic beer pong. Fill the glasses with bubbly or any drink of choice and the party is underway in no time!
2. Write New Year's Resolutions to Your Future Self
Get out paper and pens, now it's time to write down your New Year's resolutions for the coming year! In this activity, each guest writes their resolutions on a note which is then placed in a sealed box that is not opened until next New Year's. This becomes a fun activity both at this year's party and next year's New Year's celebration where all guests get their notes back to see if they managed to keep their promises or not.
3. Secret Challenges
Hand out notes to guests as they arrive at the party with a challenge they must complete during the evening. A challenge can be anything from making a toast to taking a photo with the person next to them. In this game, you as the game leader can let your imagination run wild and choose challenges that suit your group.
4. New Year's Charades with Events from the Year
Charades is a fun New Year's game for both adults and children where you go through things that happened during the year using charades. It can be anything from world news to things that happened to you personally. So let each person write one or a few notes, collect them in a jar, and let the charades begin. A perfect game for the New Year's party that is guaranteed to lead to laughter!
How to Have a Successful New Year's with Children
What Can You Do on New Year's with Children? Tips for New Year's Activities
New Year's Eve is not just a party for adults; let the children also join in celebrating the new year. Fireworks can be loud and scary. An alternative is to light sparklers outdoors where the children can see the sparks and crackles in the dark. Floating lanterns are also a suitable alternative to fireworks. Gather the family and release floating lanterns. This becomes a small project where the older children can help hold the balloon and watch it rise and float away.
Simple and Festive New Year's Menu for Children
New Year's Eve is a special night, and of course, children should also have something extra tasty and festive to eat to celebrate the new year. Since children often have different preferences than adults, a tailored children's menu can make the evening even more fun for them. Here we suggest some simple dishes that are sure to be a hit with the younger guests on New Year's Eve!
Starter for Children: Vegetable Sticks with Dip
Start the evening with a festive snack for the little ones. Vegetable sticks with dip are both healthy and look fun on the plate. Cut carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, or other vegetables the children like and serve with a dip made from creme fraiche and a ready-made dip mix, or season with your choice of spices and herbs. A perfect starter for children on New Year's!
Main Course for Children: Mini Pizzas
Mini pizzas are a safe choice as a main course on New Year's Eve. Shape the pizza dough into small pizzas, either with ready-made dough or homemade dough. Here you can find a recipe for how to make your own pizza dough. Top with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and let the children choose the remaining toppings themselves. A simple but festive main course for the children.
Dessert for Children: Ice Cream Buffet
End the New Year's dinner with a dessert that the children will be excited about - an ice cream buffet! Choose several different ice cream flavors and fill the table with colorful sprinkles, crispy meringues, and sauces like chocolate and caramel. Then let the children combine their dessert plate with their favorite ice cream and toppings. For extra New Year's feeling, stick a sparkler in the ice cream cup so the children get a sparkling surprise that lifts the mood!
With a menu like this, New Year's Eve will be a joyful and memorable evening even for the younger guests.