Bringing in the New Year on a Budget

The best way to throw a bargain NYE party is to get some help and get creative. People will feel valued and respected if you ask them for their support and it takes the pressure off you too. Here are a few top tips to get you started.

Grab some foodie bargains

Many supermarkets have leftover Christmas food which you can use for your NYE celebrations. Check out the frozen, alcohol, and Christmas aisles. If you have shopping vouchers or store points left, a NYE party is a great way to spend them.

Make it a share supper

Ask your guests to bring a plate, you can create a list of the things you need and get your guests to cross off which foods they'd like to bring. You could make it themed, or request favorites from those people you know who make something special.

Create a signature drink

Whatever alcohol you have in abundance will make a great base for a cocktail or punch and give you a great reason to experiment with ingredients. Check out Allrecipes 50 top cocktails to get your ideas flowing.

Worried about a dry house?

Majestic wines offer sale or return on undamaged wine and unopened cases of beer and cider. They offer a free wine glass hire and a free chiller bin hire too for a small deposit.

Dress the part

We've started to leave dressing up for Halloween, I think we might be missing out. Here are a few ideas that were popular in the past to inspire your 2024 event.

• A Toga party - everyone comes in a bedsheet-type ensemble - great for Plebs fans

• PJ party - including fluffy slippers, weighted blankets and onesies

• School Disco - full St Trinian's or just borrowing your son's tie are both acceptable

• Blast from the past - pick an era or ask everyone to dress from the year they were born

• Earthlings and Aliens - Dr Who, Star Wars, Red Dwarf, or just make up your own.

Create a playlist

If you don't have a Spotify or similar account then be sure to ask someone to bring theirs. To match the music to your theme all you need to do is search within the app. It's worth connecting the playing device to your speaker or record player before the party to be sure of a good quality sound

Time to Party

If you want to make sure your party doesn't drag, start it late (8.00/8.30) and finish at 12.30 or 1am. What to get the message that it's time for home? Stop the music, turn up the lights and remove the booze. Ask any stragglers if they'd like to help you clean up - you'll either get some help or an empty room!

The Countdown

Make sure you appoint someone reliable to keep an eye on the countdown to midnight and have the chosen method of listening or viewing sorted ahead of time whether that's the radio, TV etc. to capture the moment. If you have loved ones overseas raise a glass as their country turns 2024, that could become a drinking game*!

Keeping Traditions

We have some fab New Year traditions you might like to practice at your party.

• Make a New Year's Resolution - you could get everyone to write theirs down with their email address and check in on their progress through the year

• Sing Auld Lang Syne at Midnight - this is a traditional Scottish song sang with linked arms, crossed in front of the body. Many of us don't know the words which are a little tricky, you'll find them below**

• Eat Grapes - eat a dozen grapes at the stroke of midnight, reflecting on the upcoming year as you eat, one for every month of the new year to bring you good luck

• Kissing at Midnight - kiss the person you hope to be kissing for the whole year through

• Thank You Notes - before the old year ends send a thank you note to all those people who've helped you through the past year, email or text is acceptable too

Dressing the Room

One of the big advantages of a party at NYE is you probably already have some quality decorations up. Be sure to remove heirlooms to a safe spot, chairs to the edges and a bit table for food and drinks.

A new year tree is a popular addition to homes in Turkey and a wish tree in Vietnam & Canton is popular too. Consider changing your Christmas tree into a new year tree by adding lots of tinsel, ribbons or new year decs.

A few balloons are always popular with dancers and help mark your dancing space and an abundance of sparkly things such as gold and silver tinsel create an old time atmosphere.

I like to use coasters and glass charms to save on the clean up. Don't forget to have bin bags and kitchen roll handy too.

Wellness

Keep your conversations light make sure everyone has a glass and knows when key things are happening. Don't look for perfection and accept any help offered. Whatever you decide to do thin NYE make sure you enjoy it too - don't be a party martyr.

Wishing you and yours a very happy and prosperous new year from all the Find Bliss Team

Auld Lang Syne Lyrick's**

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup! and surely I’ll be mine! And we’ll tak' a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

*Always drink responsibly and have juices on offer for drivers

---

About Find Bliss

We hope this post helps you in some small way to experience a better NYE this year. You can share this post with anyone you think might benefit from it and you can join us for further bliss posts with free forever Bliss Subscription.  You can be come a benefactor or business member, supporting us on a small but regular basis,  or you can sponsor a page or post. You might like to check out the Bliss Boutique.