If you are like me, it takes a few days to get over Christmas! It's usually about now that I start to think about New Year's Eve plans (last minute, that's how I roll). We usually stay in and often invite friends or family to celebrate with us at home. Today, I am sharing a few of my Frugal New Year's Eve Party tricks and tips.
Tip #1 – Shop the after Christmas sales
For my table runner, I folded a long piece of wrapping paper under to create a runner about 15 inches wide. The wrapping paper came from Target's after Christmas sale. You can find some great deals on wrapping paper, ornaments, dishes/trays and garlands for 50%-75% off that can be used for New Years. (Think silver and white stripes or black and gold polka dots or metallic snowflakes.)
I also used the wrapping paper as a backdrop behind my dessert table. The blue and green ornaments, snowflakes and beaded garland were also dirt cheap.
Tip #2 – Use Things You Have
I only had one apothecary jar so I used things I had to make 2 other decorative jars for my dessert table. Look closely and you'll see a wine glass, candle holder and vases put together with double sided tape so that they will stay together for the evening.
I wanted to have different heights on the dessert table, so I used this short plastic bowl under a silver charger/plate that I had to make the perfect tray for my cookies. I also had this pretty silver table runner that looked great on top of my go-to white tablecloth.
Tip #3 – Just serve dessert and drinks
Since we were inviting people over, I decided to just serve dessert and drinks. (Just be sure to make it clear when you invite others over if it will be a full meal or just snacks.)
For this NYE party, I decided to bake a couple of treats (snowflake cookies, dipped pretzel rods and cake balls) and supplement with some color coordinated store bought treats (clearance Christmas candy, powdered donuts, and store bought cookies) so that I wouldn't have spend the entire day in the kitchen.
Tip #4 – Dollar Store Favors
I often use the dollar store for party favors. These noise makers were not New Year's themed but were just in the regular party section. They came with red ones too, which I took out to kept for another time. I also wrote the year with some glitter glue that I also found at my dollar store.
This dollar store basket and filler were the perfect container for my sparkler favors. Tied with dollar store ribbon and a tag, the kids loved the sparklers!
Dollar store glasses and hats made for fun (and cheap) photo props.
Tip #5 – Free Games and Activities
We also love to play board games on New Year's Eve. We usually get a new one for Christmas and New Year's Eve is the perfect time to play it. For a list of my favorite, family board games, go here.
I really did throw this Frugal New Year's Eve Party together on New Year's Eve day, so don't think that a last minute party has to be boring. Just find some “cheap” inspiration (mine was the clearance wrapping paper) and let it guide you.
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