Cover Story: 4 NYE house party ideas 2011/12/29 at 12:35 pm
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Jessica Baylis Oplt is a recent transplant to Des Moines, and she?s no stranger to a good party. The 29-year-old has hosted everything from book club meetings with 5-10 attendees to work shindigs for 120. Her most recent big bash was planning her own fairytale wedding in her home state of Idaho. We asked her to share some house party ideas and themes for a New Year?s Eve to remember.
1. Dance Party
Set up each hour as a different period of music and dance, and correspond with food and cocktails popular during those eras. So, if a party starts at 7 pm, start with ?70s music, then switch to the ?80s at 8 pm, etc. In the 11 pm hour, play hits from this past year.
Or, try the same idea but with a game night twist ? where each hour features a different activity leading up to midnight. Ask guests to bring $20 to help award the overall first, second and third place winners. Place appetizers and cocktails in the center of the game circle for easy service, and set up a bar with extra food and beverages close by.
2. Breaking the ice
Share some of the hosting responsibilities. Ask the first person or group at the party to play bartender for the second person or group in the door, who in turn serves as bartender(s) for the next group. This way, the host or hostess is only responsible for welcoming the first group. Just give specific instructions to take coats, offer drinks and make the guests feel welcome.
3. Foodie party
Assign each guest or group a specific type of simple syrup (boil equal parts water, sugar and add assigned ingredient), and have them bring a cocktail and dish that incorporates it. Serve the food and cocktails in courses. Just make sure the flavors you pick work well together ? like rosemary, ginger, jalapeños and apples. Ginger could be incorporated into fried rice, jalapeño could be the star ingredient in scones and apple could be drizzled over an apple tart.
4. In-house photo booth
Put up a cool backdrop in a well-lit area and have a few cameras on hand to create your own photo shoot. One idea: Lean a large empty frame against a brick wall, or hang a beige sheet and ask attendees to draw or write a NYE message on it.