9 NYE Party Ideas for Hosting a Highbrow Event on a Beer Budget

New Year’s Eve often comes with pressure to have fun and ring in the year the “right” way. But you definitely don’t need to go all out to have a great time. In fact, you can even welcome 2023 with a chic celebration in the comfort of your own home. From shimmering decor to sweet signature sips, we’ve gathered a selection of delightful New Year’s Eve party tips that won’t break the bank.

1. Kick off festive fun with a sparkling buffet.

Invite loved ones to a bright and bubbly New Year’s Eve spread, like this one styled by the party pros at SunshineParties.com. To get the look, start by hanging gold party-store letter balloons on a blank wall. Next, hang a gold pennant banner underneath and push a table under the balloons. Top the table with a glittery cloth. Add help-yourself treats like opened bottles of bubbly with champagne flutes, jars of candy, an extra trio of flutes filled with gold-wrapped chocolates, and a cake stand or two topped with cupcakes.

2. Boost the beauty with layered place settings.

All it takes to make plates extra special is some ribbon, evergreen sprigs, and a starry cookie.

To Do: For each setting, top a gold charger plate with a white dinner plate and a gold salad plate. Next, cinch utensils with a piece of wide shimmery ribbon. Tuck in a pine sprig. Place on plates with a small star cookie.

3. Simplify serving with mini handheld appetizers.

Bringing a gourmet touch to your buffet is a cinch, thanks to savory easy-made bites.

To Do: Bake mini phyllo dough or pastry shells according to box instructions; let cool. Fill with smashed avocado or guacamole. Top with smoked salmon (or prosciutto) and chives.

4. Say ‘cheers’ with a fizzy signature sip.

Every party needs a fancy drink, and this one, created by cocktail pro Jeremy Kenny, founder of Higher-Bar.com, pairs well with sweet and savory snacks.

To Do: Stir ½ cup each of sugar and water and 3 rosemary sprigs in a pan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat when sugar dissolves. Let cool. Muddle 3 tablespoons of pomegranate arils and 2 orange slices in a shaker. Add ice, ¾ ounces rosemary syrup, and 2 ounces of vodka; shake well. Strain into glass filled with fresh ice; top with club soda. Garnish as desired.

5. Serve up sweet cheer with champagne cupcakes.

Surprise guests with these deliciously light and fluffy cupcakes infused with a hint of champagne.

To Do: Bake up a batch of your favorite vanilla cupcakes; let cool. Next, whip a can of vanilla frosting with ¼ cup champagne or sparkling wine, then pipe frosting into swirls on the cupcakes. Add shimmery sprinkles or edible glitter dust. To finish, wrap cupcakes in gold “collars” and add New Year’s Eve toppers from the party store or make your own using scrapbook paper, toothpicks, and glittery paint pens. Serve on a pedestal plate.

6. Add fresh-picked charm with a gorgeous floral bunch.

A bunch of supermarket blooms transforms into an eye-catching bouquet in no time! For the prettiest New Year’s Eve bunch, opt for blooms in sunny shades, from tangerine to golden yellow to creamy white — these hues bring warmth and beauty to any tabletop while also complementing your party’s festive color palette.

To Do: Start by gathering a mix of supermarket blooms (like roses, ranunculus, spray roses, or carnations) in sunny colors. Next, fill a glass vase halfway with water. Insert cut stems into the vase one at a time, alternating colors as you go. Fill in any gaps with extra leafy greenery or fresh evergreen sprigs from your backyard. Showcase on a tabletop.

7. Find the perfect bubbly.

A champagne toast is an iconic New Year’s tradition, but you don’t have to spend lots on fancy varieties of bubbly. Instead, opt for affordable bubbly wines like prosecco, cava, sparkling rosé, pinot grigio, or moscato. To make your midnight toast even more special, allow guests to create custom sparkling sips by setting out a few champagne mix-ins, like chilled pear and pomegranate juices or apple cider.

8. Share special wishes.

Each New Year’s Eve, visitors to Times Square in New York City jot down their wishes and hopes for the new year onto pieces of confetti that are released at midnight. Recreate the fun at home by setting out Post-its in a variety of colors and asking guests to jot down a wish for 2023, then stick the notes to a photo backdrop taped to a wall. Once full, gather guests and snap a photo in front of the wall, then text it to the group for a fun memory.

9. Send them home smiling.

The simple way to show gratitude to all who attend your New Year’s Eve party? Sending partygoers home with a cellophane treat bag filled with mini donuts. Ring-shaped treats like donuts, Bundt cakes, and bagels are considered to be a sign of good luck for the new year, as the round shape signifies the year coming full circle. So sweet and so simple!

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.