How to Throw a New Year's Eve Bash on a Budget
Tips on how to make your party fun and affordable this year.
Dec. 28, 2010 — -- No need to break the bank for your New Years Eve party this year. Make it your resolution to stay on budget with these tips from "Good Morning America" that will help you keep your gathering fun and affordable.
Embrace a Theme
Numbers—Display 3-dimensional oversize numbers (10, 9, 8, 7, etc) around the room, and as your table centerpieces in various sizes, colors and tiers. (You can buy the cardboard kind at a crafts store and simply spray-paint them in silver or gold.) Buy "2011" number stamps to jazz up napkins, paper cups and drink stirrers.
Clocks— Use inexpensive clocks in all shapes and sizes for trays and table decor. Set them to different times around the world and celebrate each time the clock strikes midnight.
The Elements of Design
Glass Tier—Use items -- such as your glassware -- as design elements. Take all the glasses that will be on your bar and display them in a tier or pyramid layout. Have the bottom tier contain 10 glasses, the next 9, all the way up to one at the top. (Again, subtly incorporate your countdown theme.)
Bubbles and Bites—Use bubblewrap as your table linen. Cut the wrap to fit your table and secure underneath. Then place plates and trays on top, complete with appetizers and champagne flutes.
Whenever, Wherever
Flashy Floral—Sugar is a staple in any household. For your floral arrangements, take low glass vases and fill the bases with white sugar for a sparkly, "snowy" feel. Use hearty-stemmed flowers, which will stand best in the sugar, for your arrangements.
Glittering Gifts—Make fun, individual confetti packages for each guest to throw when the clock strikes midnight. Personalize each bag by printing each guest's Facebook profile picture and using it as a custom label for the front of each bag. Go one step further and use "2011" confetti pieces to tie in to your countdown theme.
A Swelling of Sparkle—Go overboard! Everyone has leftover spools of ribbon. Grab a pair of scissors and twirl silver and gold ribbon into cascading piles on top of your tables to add depth and fun to your design. Likewise, use silver and gold wire or tape to wrap around any glass vases to add extra sparkle to tables, mantels, entryways, etc.
Be Playful
Regrets/Resolutions—Hang a board (which you can cover in fabric, buy in cork, etc.) and invite guests upon entering to write down/post their regrets for 2010. Then, as they're leaving, flip the board and have them post their resolutions for 2011. Out with the old, and in with the new!
Creative Caps—Grab every kind of hat you can find in your house -- the more diverse the better. Top hats, cowboy hats, baseball caps, graduation caps, and let guests pick their favorites. This would be perfect for a photo-op area of the party. If you have more time, go out and buy party hats and horns, and dress them up with sparkles and fur trim and ribbons and wires. Design one for each guest that fits his or her personality.
Bryan Rafanelli is a founder of Rafanelli Events.