Ring in the fun

Truth be told, planning a party is rarely as much fun as attending one. But we have made it easier for those wishing to host a year-end celebration to ring out the old and welcome the new with cheer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan.

It’s in the timing

This is the time of the year to start reaching out to friends and family on their year-end plans before finalising a date. Draft a tentative guest list and start making calls or sending messages to check availability. There will likely be a day and time when most people are free so mark that for your gathering. In the age of e-invites, design an invitation that captures the mood of the evening and send it by email or message.

Choose a theme

A defined theme makes planning easier and the party more memorable. What ambience do you want? A sparkly disco night, for instance, can guide your decor, attire, music and menu. Once you decide whether the event will be unique, traditional or delightfully eclectic, stick with that vision.

When the theme is reinforced across decor, clothes and food, it becomes interesting and quite magical.

Set a budget

Before the excitement of planning takes over, decide how much you would like to spend. Factor in food, drinks, decorations and even small extras such as ice, napkins and so on. A clear budget helps you make creative choices and ensures you don’t overspend in the festive spirit.

Prepare in advance

Decorate the house a day ahead, set out cutlery and crockery, and prep the food you intend to serve. For larger groups, enlist a few extra hands to help. Opt for a menu that can be cooked in advance and reheated easily. Finger foods and cocktail snacks are stress-free options, keeping guests happy and you unflustered.

As for beverages, premix what you can and keep them chilled in pitchers at a dedicated counter. A single signature drink can simplify things further, saving you from taking endless requests.

The idea is to keep almost everything ready and at the time of the party all you need to do is ‘bring it alive with food and drinks’.

Plan space and flow

Think about how guests will move through your home. Arrange furniture so people can mingle easily between food, seating and dance areas. Keep snacks and beverages accessible from more than one spot, preventing traffic jams around a single table.

Set the scene

Once your theme is chosen, extend it to the decor. Pick a primary colour that ties everything together and use fabric, paper streamers, balloons or flowers to transform your space. Affordable decor touches like string lights, paper lanterns, candles and bottle centrepieces, which are basically glass bottles filled with fairy lights, add instant charm.

Music and games

While music often fades into the background once a party is in full swing, it sets the tone early on. Prepare a playlist in advance to establish a festive mood or spark conversation. Look for fun party games. Some games will instantly lighten up the mood so ask for recommendations if needed. Select games which are easy to understand and fun to play.