New Year’s Eve is the perfect occasion to gather with friends and family, celebrate your favorite traditions, and ring in the coming year with joy and laughter. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner, an exciting countdown party, or a movie marathon, a little creativity can make your event unforgettable.
From festive DIY decorations to fun games and delicious recipes, we’ve rounded up everything you need to plan a memorable evening.
Here are some fabulous New Year’s Eve party ideas to help you start 2025 on a high note!
Hand Out New Year’s Eve Reflection Questions
New Year’s Eve isn’t just about partying—it’s about reflecting on the past twelve months, too! Help start the convo by passing out these printable reflection cards with thoughtful prompts like “Best advice you heard this year” and “One word to describe this year.”
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
Set Up NYE Open Me Bags
Christmas may be over, but these gift bags will still be a welcome surprise for all your guests! Affix the printable labels to paper bags filled with festive New Year’s knick-knacks and treats. Write a different time on each bag so guests will be able to open them throughout the night for endless fun!
Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.
Do a Confetti Toss
A confetti toss can make any moment magical. This tutorial makes it even cuter with confetti-filled test tube party favors that guests can open when the clock hits midnight. Kids in particular will love this exciting activity—just be sure to have your vacuum on standby!
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
Create a New Year’s Eve Drinks Menu
There’s no doubt that everyone will be sipping on libations throughout the night! Add a festive touch to your usual cocktails by giving them festive New Year’s names that you can write on a cute DIY menu near the bar.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.
Hang Up a Sparkly Backdrop
Is it even New Year’s Eve without a sparkly setting? Create a festive backdrop using gold and silver fringe garlands to elevate the ambiance and give guests a jazzy photo wall to create memories in front of.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Create a Photo Booth with Props
You can’t go wrong with a photo booth, especially when there are fun props to play with! Create your own DIY version using a Cricut, and get ready for plenty of memorable photos from the night.
Get the tutorial at Frog Prince Paperie.
Try a New Year’s Tradition from Around the World
You may be familiar with classic traditions like kissing at midnight and watching the ball drop, but there are countless fun New Year’s traditions from around the world that deserve a shout-out! Consider inviting your guests to join in on one, like the Spanish custom of eating 12 grapes at midnight.
Host a New Year’s Eve Pajama Party
Dressing up for New Year’s Eve is always a blast, but dressing down can be just as enjoyable! Invite your friends and family to celebrate in their coziest attire for a pajama party. After all, what could be better than crawling right into bed after the midnight champagne toast?
Get the tutorial at Frog Prince Paperie.
Send Festive Invitations
Up the excitement even before the party starts by sending out these fun and festive party invitations! These foolproof printables will help you easily check an item off your to-do list.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Host a New York-Themed New Year’s Eve Party
Times Square is the place to be on New Year’s Eve but if you can’t make it there, consider a New York theme for your party. This DIY Times Square tablescape will make such a fun focal point for your décor!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Serve Sparkling Rosé Macaron Stacks
These gorgeous pink and white macaron stacks definitely have celebratory vibes! Cap them off with sparkling rosé toppers for an extra festive finish.
Get the tutorial at Oh Joy!.
Make Party Hats for Your Guests
Get your guests in the New Year’s Eve spirit by crafting these playful party hats out of glittery cones, headbands, and tinsel garland. Everyone will be saying “Hats off to you” for this cute idea!
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY!.
Serve a Good Luck Food
Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is believed to bring good luck and wealth—a sentiment your guests are sure to appreciate! They’re usually eaten in the form of Hoppin’ John (a simple stew), but they can also be made into a warm party dip.
Craft DIY Glitter Glasses
Go for the gold (and become the host with the most) when you serve your NYE cocktails and champagne in these glittering glasses! They’re simple to make using decoupage and gold glitter. Bonus: They can be used for so many other holidays, too.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and A Princess.
Serve an Art Deco Cake
A 1920s theme is always a winning idea for a New Year’s Eve party and if you’re going that route, you should definitely serve a cake to match! This art deco stunner is sure to wow all of your guests.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Have a Photoshoot
Since you’ll already be decked out in sequined New Year’s Eve outfits and festive makeup, you might as well make the most of it and break out the camera! Make a themed background for even more fun.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Decorate a Bar Cart
Create a focal point for your party with a golden bar cart decorated with all things bright and sparkly, then stocked with plenty of themed desserts, drinks, and party favors!
Get the tutorial at Revel and Glitter.
Have a Boho Glam Dinner Party
For a laid-back but glamorous dinner party, invite your guests to dine on the floor—atop a shag carpet, of course! You can also decorate with mixed metallics, feathers, and paper ball lanterns.
See more at Lia Griffith.
Make DIY Clock Balloons
Count down to 2024 in style with these cute DIY clock balloons! They make a great backdrop for an at-home photo booth.
See more at Studio DIY!.
Make a Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is the ultimate party pleaser! After all, you can customize it for every event. This one is made special to New Year’s Eve with a gilded placemat beneath it, but you can get creative with anything from food to set up.
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.
Serve Homemade French 75 Gummy Bears
Serve a sweet twist on everybody’s favorite champagne cocktail. Your guests will be so impressed that you made these treats all by yourself using French 75 ingredients and gummy bear molds.
See more at Posh Little Designs.
Host a ‘Poptails’ Party
Bet you never thought to freeze your favorite New Year’s drinks! But that’s precisely the idea behind these champagne mimosa popsicles, which you can even make in advance. Pro tip: Place the pops directly into your drinking glasses to keep beverages cold all night long.
See more at Paper & Stitch.
Put Together a Fun Sangria Bar
How cute is this? A DIY sangria bar makes it easy for everyone to garnish their drink as they see fit.
See more at Sugar and Charm.
Hit a Piñata
Whether your party guests are kids or adults, everyone will have fun smashing open this festive DIY star-shaped piñata! You can fill it with candy or little party favors like noisemakers.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Get Crafty with DIY Headwear
These glittery star crowns are perfect for New Year’s Eve, and you can DIY them right alongside your guests (or your kids). A simple materials list—silver wire, chipboard or cardboard, glitter, and a few other items—makes it easy to pull them off.
See more at The House That Lars Built.
Map Out a Vision Board for the Year Ahead
Grab a few old magazines, some poster boards, a pair of scissors, and a few glue sticks—then start dreaming! Vision boarding is such a fun, meaningful activity to try on the precipice of a brand-new year.
See more at Camille Styles.
Put Up a Holographic Balloon Backdrop
Who doesn’t love a sparkly New Year’s moment? Fortunately, this backdrop is a cinch to create. Simply load up on holographic balloons, tinsel, and disco balls, and you’re good to go! You could even add fun props like 2024 glasses!
See more at Studio DIY.
Make Mocktails For the Kids
Mocktails are having a major moment. And, when it comes to New Year’s, there’s no doubt that kids (or adults!) will appreciate a fun beverage.
See more at The Merrythought.
Host a Family Game Night
Parents and kids will love celebrating the new year with a family game night. Split your household into two teams and see who can get the most points by the end of the night!
Stock Up on Party Favors
Turn your living room celebration into your very own Times Square! Pick up kazoos, noisemakers, hats, and more to get your family in the New Year’s spirit.