Life is Funny

Planning a New Years Eve party sounds easy. Call a bunch of people, invite them, tell them its BYOB. Buy a bunch of potato chips, make sure you have ice on hand, put up some balloons and wait.

That’s right, that is the basic steps to running a New Years Party, but there’s a lot more to it.

To make your party memorable, people aren’t happy with “potato chips”.

They’d like to see some hot appetizers.. Even if it is melted cheese on a cracker. Anything. Something different that makes it worthwhile to have come to your party, vs anyone elses.

What about music? Do you have enough of it ready?  Is it pre-mixed? Have you spent time to put all the songs in order that you want them played, so the stereo can take care of itself?

At your New Years Eve party, what television station is the countdown going to be on? Are you sure? Or are you going to be one of these common party planners who rush around at 3 minutes to midnight trying to find the best channel to watch the count down? I’ve seen so many people running for TV converters at 3 minutes to twelve.. all it shows is that you weren’t prepared or organized to be running this New Years Eve party in the first place.

I’ve mentioned this before, and I’ll mention it again.

PAPER SUPPLIES are one of the first things that people run out of at parties.

How many times have you heard:

“Do you have any more paper towels? or napkins?”

OR

“Where are all the paper plates?”

“I can’t seem to find any more of the cups”

What you will not hear is:

I was just in the washroom, and I ran out of toilet paper and couldn’t find any more in there..  Oh no, that will be a deep dark secret that no one will dare mention. Instead, you’ll find every last bit torn off of the cardboard roll. I threw a party once where one of our towels looked ideal to someone that had too much to drink. [I know, horrible thought]

The point is, make a list of items you will need. It should take 20 or 30 minutes to draw up a full list.

Consider things like:

Moving your cars 2 blocks down the street early in the day, so guests can use your driveway. Put a couple pilons or similar infront of your house. Remember, New Years Eve is a party everywhere in the neighborhood, and parking can be one of many obstacles.

Have plenty of mixes. People assume already that you will have both kids of soda pop on hand.. They won’t expect to bring their own. What about cranberry juice? How about lemons & limes?  What about marichino cherries? STRAWS? Don’t forget straws!!!

Some parties do well with an hour or two of some sort of group game, like Win, Lose, or Draw. Or other similar minded games. Even Kareoke might be fun. They sound stupid and corny now, but when people have a few drinks in them, they sound like a lot of fun!

Have plenty of snacks available. Have the number ready for some taxi cab companies incase any of your New Years party guests have too much to drink.

What about party favors, hats, noise makers, and Happy New Years signage? This isn’t just a regular party, it has to have a definate New Years theme to it. That will make it memorable throughout the year. This is a special ocassion and people aren’t just looking for a place to have a few drinks — they want happy memories!

Now… WHAT IF….

Some of your guests are too drunk to drive, want to lay down and rest somewhere, and totally unexpected, they end up spending the night.

Do you have Coffee, Tea, Eggs, Bacon and Toast for the morning? Surely you aren’t going to wake them up and make them leave without some breakfast in them in the morning?

As you can see.. being prepared, thoughtful, and on the ready, will have your guests trust you to show them a good time during future party events. You will find it will be increasingly easier each year to have guests agree to come to your party.

After all, on New Years Eve, people often will get 4 or 5 invitations from different people. They always end up picking the most favourite of the bunch.