There are two important jobs a good party host must do on New Year’s Eve. The first is to make guests feel welcome on arrival, and the second is to help them get home safely.
There are two important jobs a good party host must do on New Year’s Eve. The first is to make guests feel welcome on arrival, and the second is to help them get home safely.
Nothing says “welcome” like a warm greeting and a cocktail! New Year’s Eve is a time for libations, but mixing individual drinks can be costly and time-consuming. Why not start the party with a traditional mulled wine? If champagne is more your style, try a champagne punch. With drinks at the ready, you can trade your guests’ coats for a delicious refreshment that lets them know you’re glad they came.
It’s not unusual for people to overindulge on New Year’s Eve. Save yourself and everyone else an uncomfortable conversation with a tipsy friend, and arrange in advance for transportation home. You can book a cab or an Uber car, or hire a driving service to make sure your guests get home safely. Some cities offer free transportation on New Year’s Eve to reduce the number of drunk-driving accidents. You might even discuss the issue with friends ahead of time, and make sure everyone has a plan for a safe ride home.
The Perfect Pop
A champagne toast at midnight is a stylish tradition. But if you’ve never popped a champagne cork before, that special moment could turn into an embarrassing fail that leaves everyone with an empty glass at the crucial moment. Practice opening a bottle or two a few days before the party. Yes, that means you’ll have to drink some champagne, but sometimes a host must make sacrifices! Here are a few tips for removing the cork like a pro:
- Have a clean dish towel handy to catch any champagne that bubbles out of the bottle when it’s opened
- Hold the bottle in one hand with the neck facing away from anyone, including yourself
- Untwist the wire cage from the top of the bottle
- Grip the cork firmly, and turn the bottle until you feel the cork begin to loosen
- Slowly pull the bottle downward, away from the cork, and ease the cork upward until it pops out
Get Sentimental
If your crowd isn’t afraid of a little emotional intimacy, introduce a new tradition to your New Year’s Eve. Place about two inches of salt in a large bowl and gather enough birthday candles for each guest to have one. Ask guests to think of one goal they’d like to accomplish in the coming year. After stating their goal, they can light the birthday candle and place it in the dish of salt to burn down. Sharing something personal is a wonderful way to strengthen friendships and add something meaningful to your celebration.
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