To be honest, I’m kind of over the whole ‘go out and wait two hours to get into the party’ nights that were previously known as my NYE plans. Now, I much prefer a low-key occasion with some of my closest friends. But just because you want a quiet night in, doesn’t mean it needs to be any less fun! Here are some tips to plan the perfect NYE night in.

BYOA

Bring your own appetizer! Why should you have to do all of the cooking? Have your invitees bring their own appetizers and send out a Google Sheet to keep track of who is bringing what so there are no duplicates.

Champagne Sangria

This spin on a classic is an easy (and tasty) way to cut down on champagne costs for the night. Simply use these ingredients:

Ingredients:

  • One 32-ounce bottle of apple juice
  • One 12-ounce can of frozen cranberry juice concentrate
  • One cup of orange juice
  • One-and-a-half liters of champagne (or ginger ale for a non-alcoholic version)

Directions:

  1. Keep items chilled (or frozen) until use.
  2. Combine the apple juice, cranberry juice concentrate, and orange juice in a large bowl. Stir well.
  3. Add sliced oranges, kiwi slices, and any other fruit you like.
  4. Slowly add the champagne or ginger ale at the last minute to keep it bubbly.

This recipe serves 12, but you might want to double up for thirsty guests!

Midnight Dinner

After the midnight toast, close the bar and invite everyone to take part in a midnight supper. A baked potato bar is easy, fun, and inexpensive. Bake the biggest potatoes you can find, and follow with dessert!

Photobooth

If you have extra funds, renting a photobooth for the evening is a great way for you and guests to capture memories.

Write Your Predictions

Ask guests write their predictions for the coming year. At the end of the year, see who was right! This is a great activity to do with friends who know each other really well. It can also make for a great icebreaker.

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve? Do you have any tips to have a great party on a budget?