Out with the old and in with the new—a new year, at least. We are ready to start fresh on Jan. 1 but, before that, we want to celebrate. If you’re in need of some New Year’s Eve party ideas, we just so happen to have a bunch. So whether you prefer to get your festivities done earlier in the day (Happy Noon Year’s Eve, anyone?) or want to keep the party going all night, you’re covered.
As we usher in a fresh new calendar, it’s a great time to make New Year’s resolutions for your budget. Obviously our KCL mission is to save you money, so be sure to download the Krazy Coupon Lady app to get cash-saving hacks sent directly to your phone.
And if you’re in need of New Year’s Eve party decor, find tons of supplies by checking out the best Hobby Lobby hacks.
1. Set up a balloon countdown and pop a balloon every hour until midnight.
If you have kids who can’t stop asking, “How much longer?” try this. If they are really little and will never make it to midnight, do a “Noon Year’s Eve” balloon drop at noon. That way they get all of the excitement without missing bedtime. Get your balloons at Dollar Tree and print clocks from Template.net.
2. Use a DIY soda-bottle funnel to make your own confetti balloons.
Make your own confetti with a whole puncher and colored construction paper—or, just buy ready-made confetti. Then, cut the top off a soda bottle, attach a balloon to the mouth, and pour the confetti in. At midnight, pop the balloons in celebration!
3. Identify party guests’ glasses and create a nonslip grip with balloons.
First, blow up balloons to stretch them out; this will make it easier to pull them over glasses. Then, cut off the stem and about a quarter inch off the closed end. Pull snipped balloons over glasses.
4. Make cleaning up easy by lining your trash can with three or four bags.
Parties tend to create a lot of mess, which means guests will be asking you were to find the trash can all night. Instead of going back and forth to your trash bag stash, line your bin with up to four bags. As soon as one is full, tie it up and there’s another waiting in the wings to receive garbage.
5. Use wire garland to decorate the stems of wine and cocktail glasses.
Just a bit of tinsel will make any wine glass or champagne flute feel a little festive. Wrap a bit around the stem of each glass for an easy New Year’s Eve party idea.
6. Pour champagne or sparkling water over cotton candy for colorful, fizzy drinks.
This is a really fun idea that will make you feel like a mixologist (or wizard). Pour your bubbly or sparkling water over a dollop of cotton candy and watch it melt away, with the liquid taking on the color of the fluffy stuff.
7. Cover your table with kraft paper and use a sharpie to label food.
Forget those little signs that always seem to fall off the tray anyway. Kraft paper doubles as a tablecloth and allows you to write on it, letting party guests know what’s what on the grazing table.
8. Or, use chalkboard tape to turn plain dishes into party dishes.
Stick chalkboard tape to plain dishes, then use a chalk pen to write your message or let guests know what you’re serving. Remove the tape easily when you’re done.
9. Make your own noisemakers with craft sticks, ribbons, and bells.
Paint craft sticks in metallic colors, and string bells on ribbon. Tightly wrap the ribbon around the stick, and tie the end securely. Hand them out right before midnight to ring in the New Year!
10. Turn your Christmas tree into a New Year’s tree.
Remove any breakable ornaments (or leave them on) and give your tree one last zhuzh for New Year’s Eve. Wrap it with ribbon or crepe paper garland, then add some balloons and streamers. Whatever decor you have lying around the house will work.
11. Make your own party hats.
Use a hole puncher to create holes on both sides of a paper cup. Then, use two pieces of bakers’ twine, ensuring both pieces can easily be tied under most of your guests’ chins, and attach each to either side of the cup.
Glue some tinsel around the border as a finishing touch.
12. Turn used K-Cups into party lights.
Put your coffee habit to good use by upcycling those old K-Cup pods. Punch a small hole into the flat bottom of the pod, then string Christmas lights through them, putting a bulb through each cup.
13. Use frozen balloons to keep drinks cool.
Do this, and your guests won’t have to dunk their hands in freezing water. If you live in a warm climate, feel free to let these defrost after the party and use them for an impromptu water balloon fight on New Year’s Day.
14. Put glow sticks in balloons for cool party lighting.
Bracelet glow sticks are typically found in bundles at your local dollar store. Buy some and snap two bracelets per balloon. After blowing up a balloon, insert each glow stick into it one at a time. Air may escape, so you may have to inflate the balloon a bit more before tying off. The average glow stick lasts about 6-8 hours.
15. Protect kids’ hands from sparkler burns with a plastic Solo cup.
If you’re ringing in the New Year with a little sparkler action, keep small hands away from injury by poking the stick through a heavy duty red plastic cup. This cup acts as a barrier between them and the sparkler. Bonus: they may feel like a pirate.
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