Once again, another year has passed. Saying goodbye to 2018 will be bittersweet for some while others will be glad to see it on annadating site. But one thing everyone enjoys is celebrating the beginning of the new year in style. We asked interior designer, mommy blogger and lifestyle expert Breegan Jane to share how she plans to make this New Year’s celebration lively and bright. Study up on her party tips that will bring smiles to your guests’ faces and festive accents for your New Year’s Eve gathering.
Go for the gold—AND silver!
When decorating their homes with gold or silver, most people typically choose one or the other. Rarely do they choose both. If you’re one of those decorators, throw the one-color idea out the window for New Year’s Eve! Gold and silver are friends, and they complement each other well. Just be sure to use one as your dominant color, and accent that color with the other. Visually speaking, one color will guide the eye to the other, and that’s exactly what you want your guests to do as they socialize in your space. The warmth of the gold and the cooling tone of the silver will bring visual balance to the overall space.
I’d also suggest bringing in a third color, namely black or white. Black and white are sophisticated, classic colors that enhance metallic colors perfectly. I say use one or the other because of my personal color rule of three: four colors can be too busy, but two, in my opinion, is not enough. Spreading the three-color combination throughout the space will make it look more cohesive.
Glimmer, shimmer and shine!
New Year’s Eve is a big night, so you should reflect that sentiment with your decor. An easy way to do that is with mirrors. They’re a great way to open up a space, with the reflections creating a look that shows more square footage than what’s actually there. I love using mirrors on tabletops. They add panache to the setting, and they are great way to amplify whatever centerpieces you use for your New Year’s event.
Candles are another way to spruce up your space for New Year’s Eve and add to your existing light options in your home. Everyone loves the flicker of candles. However, I would highly recommend not burning actual candles and opting for candles that operate on on solar or battery power. Open flames plus inebriated guests can mean trouble! Using flameless candles presents that hint of elegance, but no one will have to worry about potential fire accidents. It is too easy to get faux wax candles with a flickering bulb that have the same visual impact as real candles. And, they’re easy to clean up the next day, also. Win win!
Live Large!
Your New Year’s Eve party is a big deal, so decorate with large profile items. Clear or clear shimmer beach balls in different sizes will present well with your color choices, no matter which colors you choose.
Chrome balloons can also be great accessories that add more vibrance to your party decor. The key to this is not using helium for the balloons (well, not for all of them). Using regular air will allow you to use the balloons to accent tables, counters and even the floor throughout the night. Lay them out all around; it looks beautiful and covers more physical space that way.
Shop Your Home
The holidays can hit us all in our wallets, but New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to. Most women have heard of shopping their closets or beauty stashes, so why not shop your home and create a gorgeous scene for your guests? While it is always important to think of your guests’ comfort when entertaining, that can possibly backfire when it comes to the furniture you use for your New Year’s part. That cushy, oh-so-comfortable sofa will be the first place people go when they get tired as the night goes on. You should consider furniture that is stylish but also promotes conversation and mingling. That said, don’t be afraid to repurpose the chairs in the formal room that never get used, or the furniture that supports outside entertaining.
By all means grab the fine china sitting in the display cabinet! It’s nice to look at, but if you ever needed an event to use it, New Year’s Eve is the night to do it! They won’t come off as gaudy for this event. In fact, they will elevate the party even more.
Be the entertainer!
As the host of the best New Year’s Eve party, it is your job to ensure that entertainment happens from start to finish. That starts with the decor, but it will extend to the atmosphere and energy presented to them. That energy means you need to provide the right libations. Champagne will be a must, but save that for the countdown at midnight. One of my soiree favorites is a Moscow Mule. It’s a very light and easy drink, and I serve them every year at my New Year’s Eve socials.
Moscow Mule
-1 oz. fresh lime juice
-2 oz. Vodka
-1 oz. (12-oz.) can ginger beer
-Fresh mint and lime wedges
Fill two copper mugs with ice. Pour 1 ounce vodka and 1/2 ounce lime juice over ice in each mug. Pour ginger beer into each cup until mostly full. Stir. Garnish with mint and lime wedge to serve.
Last, make sure you have some great tunes! Here are a few songs that are musts for your New Year’s Eve playlist:
Shawn Mendes – There’s Nothing Holding Me Back
Calvin Harris – One Kiss
David Bowie – Let’s Dance
Major Lazer – Light It Up
Outkast – Hey Ya!
Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough
Alex Adair – Dominoes
DJ Snake – Turn Down for What
Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
Usher – Yeah!
Little Mix – No More Sad Songs
Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop the Feeling
House of Pain – Jump Around
Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
Charli XCX – 1999
Mariah Carey – Auld Lang Syne