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It’s that time of year again! The trees are decorated, the presents are wrapped, and it’s time to start thinking about how you will ring in the new year. However, if you’re like most Americans, the thought of party planning can be downright daunting.
According to new research, the average American party host will spend $1,422.65 a year on party planning. Not to mention, 71 percent of respondents agree that they would classify party planning as a “stressful event.”
So, if you’re looking for some tips on New Years Eve decorating that won’t break the bank and will reduce some of that holiday stress, this article is for you.
We’ve rounded up our best decorating tips and tricks to help make your event one to remember. Whether you’re planning a small gathering or an all-out bash, read on for some inspiration to help you ring in the new year without going over budget.
How should I decorate my house for New Year’s Eve?
As the old saying goes, out with the old and in with the new. And what better way to ring in the new year than by giving your home a fresh start? However, decorating your home for New Year’s Eve can be a bit daunting if you’re like most people. After all, who wants to spend a fortune on decorations that will only be up for a few days?
For starters, taking advantage of sales and discounts on holiday decorations, DIY, repurposing, or shopping secondhand can all help bring down the cost of the party. As for food and drink options, try to find recipes that use common ingredients that you already have in your pantry. Or, instead of burdening the entire menu on your own shoulders, have everyone bring one thing potluck style to ensure there is enough and save you tons.
Fortunately, there are plenty more ways to save money on New Year’s Eve decorations. Here are our top ideas to help get you a fun-filled New Year’s Eve bash on a budget:
Start with a New Year’s Eve party theme
When throwing a great party, one of the most important things is to pick a theme. This might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in the overall feel of your event. A theme can guide you when choosing the decorations needed to create a cohesive look, as well as help you avoid buying too much (or too little).
Most importantly, a good party theme can make your event more fun and memorable for everyone involved. So, before you start picking out decorations, take some time to think about what kind of party you want to throw. Here are some easy suggestions to consider:
Disco retro
Bring the groovy vibes of the 1970s to your celebration with a disco-themed party. All you will need for this theme is classic disco music, disco balls, streamers, gold, and silver accents, and maybe some glitter or confetti if you don’t mind cleaning up the mess. Serve up some traditional disco drinks like champagne punch and Shirley Temples. If you prepare some food for this event, try sticking to the easy fan favorites like cupcakes, chips, and dips or some classic charcuterie.
Boho vintage
For a more laid-back vibe, try a bohemian-inspired party complete with tapestries, dreamcatchers, macrame, and many vintage accents to set the scene. Rattan furniture, hand-woven baskets, and rustic accents can all be purchased secondhand from thrift or consignment stores to keep the décor on a budget. Serve up some tasty appetizers like hummus or veggie trays. For dessert, nothing says “bohemian” like a naked cake topped with fresh fruit and colorful flowers for an extra-special touch.
Hollywood/Oscars glam
Make your guests feel like movie stars at a glamorous Hollywood soiree. Decorate with Hollywood lights, some vintage film rolls, star-shaped confetti, and maybe even try thrifting a red carpet for the occasion. When it comes to food, you can efficiently serve up fancy hors d’oeuvres like mini quiches or shrimp cocktail. Of course, you can’t forget the champagne. With all of this in mind, you should be able to affordably host a Hollywood party on a budget.
Roaring 20s
For a truly unique party experience, take your guests back in time to the roaring 20s. Decorate with Art Deco elements like geometric shapes and lots of glitzy metallics. You could consider trying to thrift a golden bar cart on wheels for serving up some classic cocktails like gin Gimlets or Old Fashioneds. Or, you can often find amazing deals on vintage mirrors, gold frames, and glassware from thrifting or buying secondhand. And as for the food, chicken salad canapes or cucumber sandwiches would be perfect for this type of party.
Map out the floorplan
The first step in decorating for any event is to map out the floor plan. This will help you determine what furniture and décor you’ll need and where it will go. You’ll want to create an open space for people to mingle and dance for a New Year’s Eve celebration.
If you’re having a sit-down dinner, ensure enough room for people to sit next to one another and move around comfortably. You may also want to consider setting up a bar area so guests can help themselves to drinks.
Alternatively, suppose it’s going to be a more intimate gathering with games and gathering around the TV to watch the ball drop. In that case, you will want to ensure that your living is accommodating for all guests. Whichever type of party you are considering throwing this New Year’s, here are some things to remember before grabbing all of your festive decor:
Gathering
One of the best things about New Year’s Eve is getting together with friends and family. Make sure your guests feel welcome by giving them plenty of places to sit and mingle. Comfortable seating, like couches and chairs, are critical. You might also consider adding a few small accent tables around the house for guests to put their drinks or appetizers down. Or if you’re hosting a dinner party, ensuring that your dining table and chairs will accommodate everyone comfortably is extremely important.
Games
What’s a party without games? New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to break out some of your favorite party games. Games like charades and musical chairs require a fair amount of space to move around, while games like trivia can be played in a more confined area. It’s also a good idea to have a few different games available so that people can choose what they’d like to play. Ensuring you have enough space for your guests will help everyone have a better time.
Food and drinks
When it comes to hosting a New Year’s Eve party, there are a few things you’ll need to consider if you want to create a night to remember. One of the most important is having enough table space for food and drinks. A coffee table or two will likely suffice if you’re hosting a small get-together. But if you’re expecting a larger crowd, you’ll need to think about thrifting or renting some additional tables and chairs. Also, consider that arranging various platters of food on different levels throughout your home can add visual interest and make it easier for guests to grab what they want.
Repurpose or Shop Secondhand
New Year’s Eve is fast approaching, so it’s time to start thinking about party decorations. If you’re short on time or working with a tight budget, fear not—there are plenty of ways to make your home look festive without spending much money. You can ring in the new year without breaking the bank by repurposing what you already have, shopping secondhand, and getting creative with your decorations.
Decorations
There are endless possibilities for New Year’s Eve decorations, depending on your chosen theme, so let your imagination run wild. Glitter, sequins, and feathers are always popular choices this time of year. Also, suppose you have any leftover wrapping paper from Christmas. In that case, you can use it to make confetti or use old newspapers to make streamers. Additionally, you can thrift or repurpose some vintage bottles for your festive floral arrangements.
Party favors
No party is complete without party favors! If you’re tight on budget, try making your own edible favors like cookies or candied apples. Or, if you’re crafty, you could put together some simple goodie bags with inexpensive items found at the Dollar Tree or local thrift stores. Whatever you choose, your guests are sure to appreciate the thoughtfulness.
Furniture upgrades
If you’re planning on hosting a New Year’s Eve party this year, you might need to make some minor furniture upgrades to accommodate your guests, depending on your floor plan and theme. A few additional accent tables can help create extra surface area for drinks and appetizers.
For example, an older dresser can be painted and used as a buffet table for food and drinks. Check out your local thrift store or consignment shop if you’re searching for specific items on a budget. You might be surprised at what hidden treasures you find to help you throw a memorable event for everyone attending.
Shop Kaiyo
Whatever your New Year’s Eve plans, hosting a party at home is always a popular option. That said, if you’re looking for furniture and décor upgrades to make your party extra special, Kaiyo is the perfect online consignment shop to browse.
We have an extensive inventory of living room, dining room, and accent furniture, along with lots of vintage and modern décor from top-rated sellers at up to 90% off retail. So, whether you’re looking for a new-to-you sofa to seat all your guests or some festive accent pieces to spruce up your space, you can find precisely what you need without breaking the bank. With our selection and excellent prices, we’ll help you ring in the new year in style!
