How to host the best NYE party at home

There are some things money can’t buy, like spending New Year’s Eve at home with friends. For everything else – like drinks and nibbles – there’s Mastercard (or Visa).

For many of us, New Year’s Eve (NYE) means getting dressed up, getting out there amongst it, blowing your budget and maybe indulging a little too much as well.

But what if you don’t feel like braving the crowds, or you have the post-Christmas cash blues? As the saying goes, it’s the simple things in life that are often the best.

If you’ve decided to stay at home this NYE, it doesn’t have to be a dull affair. There are plenty of ways you can usher in the New Year on a shoestring.

Here are a few tips and tricks to being a super host for less:

• DIY catering
• Be your own DJ
• Invent a NYE-themed party
• Design your own professional e-invite
• Host a potluck dinner
• Throw a fundraiser

Turn your home into party central

One way to create a memorable NYE without breaking the bank is to host your own themed gathering for friends or family.

If you’re nervous in the kitchen and not up to the task of catering, you could opt for a potluck dinner where each of your guests brings a plate to share.

To help set the mood, use technology to your advantage. Build a playlist in your music program of choice, then set and forget as it plays via Bluetooth through your sound or TV system.

If you decide a themed party would be fun, add this as a dress-code requirement in your e-invite. There’s a variety of free apps (like Canva) where you can create simple designs that can be texted, emailed or posted on a social media group.

In fact, some of the templates available look so professional they would give invited guests the impression you hired a graphic designer for the task.

If you wanted to style your home based on your party’s theme, there’s probably an op-shop nearby that could provide a cheap assortment of props (and outfits).

You could make your party memorable by hosting a fundraising event with admission by donation (whether it be at the door or online).

There’s plenty of online crowdfunding sites (like GoFundMe) that would help you raise money for a cause close to your heart.

More money could be raised throughout the evening by auctioning the op-shop finds too.

Spending NYE at home doesn’t need to be boring. You’re only limited by your imagination and motivation, not your budget, which is a bonus.

You could celebrate a great NYE at home among hand-picked company without spending a fortune. It could even inspire a New Year’s resolution to spend every NYE at home.

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