Nothing beats a party at home for New Year's Eve. It saves money, the pain of trying to hail a taxi post-midnight and allows the creative freedom to conjure up the most epic celebrations.
What's more, hosting at home has become the new cool, and social media is fuelling the trend.
From TikTok's cooking queen Nara Smith (who has garnered over 11m followers as of December 2024), to H! Fashion's December digital issue cover star Laura Jackson - the social media tablescaping inspiration go-to and founder of homeware e-commerce site Glassette, and American businesswoman-turned-lifestyle icon Martha Stewart, whose Netflix documentary was incredibly popular immediately after its release earlier this year.
But where does one start with a theme? or colourway? how to keep guests entertained?
Dani Tucker has all the answers. She is the founder of The Social Kitchen - a brand that, alongside selling its own chic homeware pieces, offers creative styling, tableware hire, prop hire and more. She gave H! Fashion the coolest, creative theme ideas (including the chicest Taylor Swift tablescape ), plus top tips for entertaining.
How to throw the chicest NYE party according to an expert:
What are some unique and chic themes for a New Year's Eve party?
Pancakes & Pyjamas: A Midnight Feast
Ask your guests to come in their chic pyjamas and to jazz it up with their sparkly jewels. Serve your favourite breakfast foods like pastries, pancakes and chocolate strawberries. Decorate with alarm clocks and teddy bears.
Colourway: Soft colours
Promises & Prosecco: Ringing in the Resolutions
Create a Prosecco Bar with different types of Prosecco, champagne flutes, and a variety of mixes like fruit purees, berries, and herbs. Decorate the bar with twinkling lights.
Create a space where guests can write their resolutions on cards and hang them up. Decorate this area with balloons and a banner that say ‘Promises for the New Year’
Colourway: Pink and Gold
Bubbles & Bliss: A Champagne Sparkles New Year's Eve
Create a focal point with a champagne tower. Decorate the glass stems with bows. This can be both decorative and functional as guests can help themselves to a glass of champagne.
Sprinkle some glitter and sequins to the table for extra sparkle. Cut up a tassel curtain into small bunches and add to the table to catch the light and add texture.
Colourway: Silver, gold and sparkle
Swiftly into the New Year: A Taylor Eras Celebration
Ask your friends to dress in a style from their favourite Taylor Swift era.
Divide your party space into different zones or dress each table representing a specific Taylor Swift era, like the country charm of her debut, the retro style of "1989," the edgy look of "Reputation," and the indie-folk aesthetic of "Folklore" and "Evermore."
© Getty ImagesColourway: Fearless Era: Golden and caramel tones, reflecting the youthful and fearless spirit of this era.
How can lighting be used to enhance the mood of a NYE party?
Adding lots of tea lights to any theme would add to the ambience and make it all sparkle. Dim your room lighting too.
What are some personalised touches that can make a NYE party feel more special and memorable?
Thank You Notes: After the party, give your friends a thank you note, mentioning a memorable moment you shared with each of them during the past year.
How can you keep guests engaged and entertained, from the start of the party leading up to the midnight countdown?
Keep it really simple by having as much as you can done in advance and allow your friends to help themselves so you can also really enjoy yourself!
