5 Tips for Planning the Ultimate New Year’s Party

The start of the New Year calls for an unforgettable celebration with family and friends! As Thursday December 31st 2020 segues into Friday January 1st 2021, what better way is there than a party, to say adios to a difficult and tense year of public health issues and a close race for the United States’ Presidency.

But, just because we are heading into a new year, does not mean Covid-19 will disappear overnight. It is still very much the unwelcome guest in everyone’s households this holiday season and so it will have to be catered for as well. Social distancing measures are going to mean that this year’s party physical attendance may have to be a little lower than recent years, but with video conferencing call apps like Zoom, you can still have a plethora of party-goers around you for this New Years, making the event just as special!

But, if you find yourself running a little low on some ideas, here are 5 tips for planning the ultimate New Year’s Party.

1. Party Theme Ideas

Before you launch into building the event of the decade, you might have to have to come up with an idea or two for party themes first. With 2020 not providing much in the way of inspiration, you would be forgiven for looking into classics, as well as coming up with your own. However, to get you started, here a few suggestions.

Fancy Dress: A classic choice, and a one in which other themes can be used too, such as dress only as super-heroes, literary characters or Sci-Fi inspired.

Slumber Party: Essentially a sleepover of old, put together some comfortable bedding areas, get out the popcorn and stick some movies on for a grown-up all-nighter.

Online Party: This could actually end up being a necessity depending on social distancing restrictions, but remember that video chat software offers loved ones a unique method of partying together.

BBQ: This could also potentially be a necessity thanks to Covid-19, but with New York’s Time Square‘s New Year’s event moving to online platforms this year, maybe it might be an opportunity to set off some fireworks of your own. Just remember that it is December, so pools should probably be off-limits!

These are just a few ideas, and there are plenty more out there to choose from. You could potentially go without a theme if you prefer, but they do tend to offer something a little extra to an already fun event.

2. Food and Drinks

Of course it should almost go without saying that any party host should be providing food and drinks, but just in case you want to give something a little different, consider implementing your own mini bar this year. Stock up on mixers, rum, whiskey, tequila, fruit juice, brandy, vodka and wines and let your guests put together their own alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Obviously, no one is suggesting that you or your guests spend the party binge drinking, but there’s always room for a little amount of alcohol at a party. After all, some traditions involve having a whiskey or brandy in hand to toast as the clock strikes twelve, while others involve a glass of champagne to see the year in. Besides, if you are partaking in Dry January next year, you have to put down your alcoholic beverage when you hear the chimes, so you may as well drink (responsibly) before the new year starts.

Your little bar might also give your guests an opportunity to make cocktails, if you have the right drinks for them. Remember, some of them may not want to drink alcoholic beverages, so make sure that you have plenty of options available for them to make mocktails instead (cocktails without the alcohol content). As for food, simple snacks and finger foods will suffice. There is probably not going to be much appetite for fine-dining cuisine after Christmas, so don’t worry about putting on much more than a spread.

If you are in the Portland, Oregon or Kent, Washington areas then you are in luck; Columbia Distributing have a range of alcoholic beverages available for your party. Not just that, but they have snacks and plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available to make sure you are catering to everyone. If any guests are not able to make it due to social distancing, then you can order a delivery for them instead and still see the year in with a drink in your hand. Furthermore, there are drinks packages available too, which you can customize and ensure that you have your cocktail bar ready for New Year’s Eve.

Whether you’re a brandy or whisky fan, prefer mocktails to cocktails, and believe tequila is always a good idea in theory, but a terrible idea in practice, then make sure that you are well stocked before New Year’s Eve. Remember, it’s a party, not Prohibition!

3. Something Different

Now, before you run away, believing that this article is telling you to start partaking in something illegal; please rest assured that everything on this list is above board! Marijuana is illegal across most, if not all, of the U.S. and only Medical cannabis is considered to be generally acceptable. As a result, there will be various cannabis dispensaries across the country, providing a service to those who are in need. However, since the 2018 passing of the Farm Bill, cannabidiol from the Hemp plant has been legalized to buy and consume. The reason these are now legal and available is because the content of THC (the mind-altering drug found in Marijuana) is lower than 0.3%, and therefore the FDA look more favorably on it. Unlike the recreational drug that is derived from the cannabis plant, hemp is considered to be more of a herbal remedy to sore bones and muscles, among others.

The production and use of CBD products; such as energy and sleep promoting tinctures, edibles to calm over-active minds and topical ointments for skincare; have grown—particularly across the West coast. Those who are based in the East Bay area of San Francisco will see that the local Berkeley dispensary will now be offering a wide range of products in addition to the medicinal. Obviously, it is advised that you double check on the terms of use first, but if that all seems good to you, then go for it! Plus, to help out even further, Weedmaps are showing those dispensaries that are delivering too. So how do you factor this into your New Year party? Well, if you plan on having a sleepover, or just want a way for yourself or guests to relax during or after the event, then check out local dispensaries and pick up a CBD tincture to help.

4. Hit The Casino

If you really want to cash in on the party atmosphere this New Year’s Eve, then what better way is there to do so than to be at the casino, winning big on the slots? Get a group of friends together and head for the slot machines. You and a group of friends can have a party in the casino, with other patrons and being served a complimentary alcoholic beverage by friendly staff as 2021 begins. Who knows? When the clock strikes twelve and the new year has officially begun, you might have just hit the jackpot!

Be on the look out for specials and discounts for casino hotels at this time of year too. As the industry is trying to get back on its feet in a big way after the pandemic, many Hotel owners will be looking to score bookings for the end of the year through promotions. There may be one or two sweet deals out there, you just need to take a look around. Tunica Travel is one such company doing just that, and you can browse their various accommodations without exchanging much personal information first (you might be asked for an email address but that’s just so they can keep you up to date with any offers they have). However, it is best to make a reservation soon, as the number of people doing the same thing is getting bigger by the day.

If nothing else, it’s worth a look!

5. Remember To Decorate

Ultimately you might decide to forego the theme and the holiday, and go for a simple but fun party. Balloons, party poppers and streamers are generally the best choices for decoration, and if you feel it will help get the place organized more quickly, then see if your can enlist the help of friends and family to put them up. Although you might want to save on calling in that particular favor for Friday or Saturday’s clean-up.

Hopefully, Covid-19 will stay at home that night, but if not then at least you have a few ideas as to how to have the ultimate party regardless. It may have been responsible for a trend of cancellations, but you can use the restrictions as an opportunity to see this year off properly, and make the delivery of 2021 so much more memorable!