As 2023 comes to an end, it's time to start planning and preparing to celebrate the new year. Whether you choose a quiet evening at home with family or invite guests to 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 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. Invite to a New Year's party with a theme
Theme parties make everything a little more fun! Invite guests to a party with the theme The Great Gatsby or red carpet where guests can dress up in fancy 20s clothes or gala outfits. A clear theme makes the party both more enjoyable and more memorable.
Tips 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 New Year celebration. Therefore, plan not only for the food but also for a New Year's themed table setting. Decorate with candles and sparkling details like cutlery and napkin rings in silver for a festive touch. Do you 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 in preparation for the New Year's celebration, you can delegate the responsibility to one or a few of the guests to prepare some fun games that keep the party atmosphere at its peak.
Luxurious New Year's menu with 3 courses
In addition to setting off fireworks and toasting at midnight, a good three-course dinner is the perfect way to celebrate the new year. Whether you plan to create a classic, Asian, or perhaps vegetarian New Year's menu, a luxurious multi-course dinner can become the highlight of New Year's Eve. Here are some suggestions for dishes for a three-course menu for New Year's Eve.
Appetizer for New Year's Eve: Luxurious vendace roe toast
A classic toast skagen is an excellent starter for New Year's that is well-received by most, but how about treating your guests this year with a skagen toast with a luxurious twist? Fry up some good bread and serve it 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 luxury of the entire evening. A surefire winner is beef tenderloin with roasted vegetables or a flavorful lobster. If you don't prefer red meat, a main course with fish is also a good choice. Opt for a dish with cod that is not as rich as meat, accompanied by, 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: Easy 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 batter layered with berries and crushed cookies for a luxurious and delicious cheesecake in a glass without having to bake! A perfect dessert that looks festive and is easy to prepare.
What can you do on New Year's?
In addition to gathering over a nice dinner and toasting the new year under fireworks, the New Year's party is the perfect opportunity for exciting games and mood-boosting activities. Here we have gathered our best New Year's games that are guaranteed to get the party started!
Tips on fun games for New Year's
1. Champagne pong - a luxurious version of beer pong
If you've played the classic drinking game beer pong, you know what a mood booster it can be at the party. As a variation for the New Year's party, you simply swap the beer glasses for elegant champagne coupes and play in the same way as in classic beer pong. Fill the glasses with bubbly or any drink of your choice, and the party will be up and running in no time!
2. Write New Year's resolutions to your future self
Bring out the paper and pens, it's time to write down your New Year's resolutions for the coming year! In this activity, each guest writes down their resolutions on a note that is then placed in a sealed box that will not be opened until next New Year. This will be a fun activity both at this year's party and at next year's New Year's celebration where all guests will get their notes back and see if they managed to keep their resolutions or not.
3. Secret challenges
Hand out notes to the guests when they arrive at the party with a challenge they need to complete during the evening. A challenge can be anything from making a toast to taking a picture together with the table neighbor. In this game, you as the game leader can let your imagination flow and choose challenges that suit your group.
4. New Year's charades with things that happened during the year
Charades is a fun New Year's game for both adults and children where you go through things that have happened during the year with the help of charades. It can be anything from world news to things that have 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 Eve 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, but let the children join in the celebration of the new year as well. Fireworks can be loud and frightening. An alternative to that is to light sparklers outdoors, where the children can see how it sparkles and crackles in the dark. Floating lanterns are also a suitable alternative to rockets. Gather the family and send up floating lanterns. This will be a small project where the older children can participate by holding the balloon and watching it rise and float away.
Simple and festive New Year's menu for kids
New Year's Eve is a special night, and of course, the children should also have something extra delicious 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 enjoyable for them. Here we suggest a few simple dishes that are sure to be a hit with the younger guests on New Year's Eve!
Appetizer for kids: 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 up carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, or other vegetables that the kids like and serve with a dip made from crème fraîche and a ready-made dip mix, or season with any spices and herbs you prefer. A perfect appetizer for the kids on New Year's!
Main course for kids: Mini pizzas
Mini pizzas are a sure bet as a main course on New Year's Eve. Shape the pizza dough into small pizzas, either with store-bought dough or homemade dough. Here you will find recipes for how to make your own pizza doughTop with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and let the children choose the remaining toppings themselves. A simple yet festive main course for the kids.
Dessert for kids: 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 an extra New Year's feeling, stick a sparkler in the ice cream cup for a sparkling surprise that lifts the mood!
With a menu like this, New Year's Eve becomes a joyful and memorable evening even for the younger guests.