Last Minute Low-Cost New Year's Bash

Posted Thu, Dec 20, 2007, 11:25 am PST

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Should you get that sudden urge to throw a swanky 11^th-hour New Year’s gathering, not to worry. You and your guests can rock the night away and glide right into 2008 with these easy breezy tips.

Tune Up the Takeout Forget about slaving in the kitchen. Simply order up an array of nibblies (pizzas, pastas and salads) from your favorite Italian restaurant. Italian is always a crowd-pleaser and tends to be easy on the wallet. If you have the time, put out a buffet of gourmet toppings (grated cheese, sliced olives, etc.), so guests can enhance and customize their selections.

Go Crazy with Cocktails Create a signature drink and give it a fun name like "New Year's Nirvana." Try mixing champagne, ginger ale, and mango juice; serving mixed juice and wine drinks is more cost effective than straight champagne or wine. Be sure to offer yummy non-alcoholic drinks such as mango spritzers for designated drivers and others.

Set the Scene with Silver Deck your home in silver accents. Drag out silver platters, pitchers, and trays to hold food, candles, and other goodies. Hit your local home or drugstore to load up on holiday items-- silver ball ornaments, tinsel, and so on--at heavily discounted after-Christmas sales.

Prepare Party Props Hop on over to the local party store for silver balloons, horn blowers, and confetti to ring in the new year with a smile. Stock up on paper plates, napkins, and utensils in silver, as well.

Make a Mood Light candles all around your home to create a magical midnight mood. Stick with white votives--more affordable than pricey pillar candles, and less messy than drippy tapers. Best to place them out of reach so your guests don't accidentally knock anything over as they get their grooves on!

Load Your Pods No need for a pricey DJ when you live in the age of the MP3 player. Create a fresh mix of tunes to carry you through the night. Get the party started with upbeat cocktail music from the likes of Madeleine Peyroux, Diana Krall, and Harry Connick Jr. Then crank it up with a fresh mix of danceable tracks from Fatboy Slim, Bloc Party, Gwen Stefani, and Ja Rule. Finally, add some mellow mood music for those late-night stragglers: Travis, Thievery Corporation, Aimee Mann, Chris Isaak and Mazzy Star.

Send Kisses and Wishes Send guests off with a bag of treats for an ultra-sweet new year. Fill small silver or white bags with Hershey's Kisses and enclose a tiny handwritten card containing your wish for them for the new year.

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77 Comments

1. Posted by joyce_thom on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 8:59 am PST

These were great ideas.
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2. Posted by fiddler824 on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:05 am PST

No offense to the author of this article, but it still sounds like it could be expensive.
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3. Posted by Katie S on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:07 am PST

Wow, that does sound fun and cost efficient.
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4. Posted by jwaldgar on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:08 am PST

Third
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5. Posted by Damien on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:10 am PST

Oh, we must be having an all girls junior high sleep over.
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6. Posted by orangequeen9208 on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:11 am PST

i really like all of these ideas, however they do not sound to be very cost effective...
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7. Posted by tina on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:11 am PST

These are great ideas, but it sounds like spending money! He or she should have added other ways without digging to far in our pockets.
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8. Posted by heagle_man on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:12 am PST

Good ideas until you get to the kisses and wishes. That's just dorky.
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9. Posted by Kitty A. N on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:14 am PST

Use what you have a invest in a roll of tin foil!!!! Can you tell where I am from.
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10. Posted by Matt on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:14 am PST

those were dumb ideas and don't tell what to do during the party.
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11. Posted by madeline.flamingo on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:16 am PST

8th!!!
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12. Posted by islndhopn on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:16 am PST

Word to your Mom.
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13. Posted by Janet S on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:16 am PST

Way too expensive. Our new year's bash (albeit midwest style) is a potluck of favorite appetizers, everyone brings a game for the group to play, music from the stereo, and movies on for the kids. Pretty basic, pretty low key, but our house has been the place to go for years now...and we've never spent more than $20
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14. Posted by georgias6 on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:19 am PST

If I'm going to buy mango juice, I might as well let them drink a full drink. And, of course, there's always BYOB.
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15. Posted by senithe363 on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:19 am PST

Pathetic!
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16. Posted by phoenixrising on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:19 am PST

Yeah, it doesn't sound very cost effective!!
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17. Posted by Todd C on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:19 am PST

whats wrong with a high school girls sleep over
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18. Posted by lindaleekat on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:19 am PST

i really like these ideas
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19. Posted by driftingonandon on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:22 am PST

i guess cost is all relative. these would be 'low-cost' tips if you had disposable incomes. and who has disposable incomes at this point in the year except the well-to-do? nice try elycia and rita. i did like your ideas on discount silver ornaments for the silver theme, the votive candles, and the kisses loot bags.
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20. Posted by Brook F on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:23 am PST

I think the point is that some people think they have to spend money on seafood and champange (several bottles if you're going to serve it straight), but by going the Italian route and doing a mixed drink, you are automatically saving money. The article isn't called "How to Throw New Years' Party for Free." I liked the tips on silver, especially buying the mark-down Christmas items.
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21. Posted by Fluffie on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:26 am PST

I think these were good suggestions for those who do like to entertain but get over-whelmed in the planning. This keep things simple and do-able
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22. Posted by Lindsey on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:28 am PST

I think these are some creative ideas!
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23. Posted by waxfaerie on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:28 am PST

no offense, but the music choices totally suck
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24. Posted by dixie n on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:31 am PST

every family brings a dish or stuff to make punch..we add the games, music , the house, make sure that there IS a designated driver,some appetizers too and oh yah we be midwest..cost $20
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25. Posted by country boy on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:33 am PST

who needs all that stuff, just go buy a keg people will come!!
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26. Posted by Jessica H on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:34 am PST

I'm totally digging these ideas! If you're looking for another route these are great pointers and suggestions. When I host a party I like to have food and beverages for my guests but I always suggest that they bring something as well. This is very cost effective if you look at the big picture. You can work out a theme with what you have in your house, work around the idea that were suggested. Cooking can get very expensive when feeding a large crowd!
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27. Posted by Carl E on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:37 am PST

Those that didn't like the idea,will probably sit at home and watch the ball drop on tv. Invite me I'll come instead of going to Biloxi.
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28. Posted by peaceinthevalley on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:39 am PST

I liked the comments better than the article. You guys are great!
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29. Posted by tobynat2001 on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:45 am PST

great ideas for people who enjoy throwng a party and don't want to be overwhelmed
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30. Posted by Emeralz on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 11:02 am PST

Hmm, Great Idea's! but not too frugal.. making the food would be more cost efficient.. wow Restaurants are Pricey for just my family of 6, let alone a whole party..
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