The promise of a fresh year is a great reason to celebrate, and planning a fabulous New Year’s party will help you launch January in style. A fun, modern gathering with an innovative food and drink menu will welcome guests with creativity and cheer. The primary goal is a celebration, and with a few simple ideas and a house full of friends, you’ll make fond memories while enjoying the promise of a wonderful year to come. 

A Dream of Summer

After a holiday season of heavy, rich traditional foods, nothing is more refreshing than light, healthy veggies and fruits. Bring some warm sunshine to your party with a summer-inspired meal, including foods that are decidedly out of season during Canada’s snowy winter. Challenge your guests to bring an appetizer featuring tropical fruits or summer vegetables. Beach-inspired cocktails offer cheer while you dream of warmer days in the coming year. 

Year-End Indulgences

On the other hand, you may prefer a menu of rich, seasonal foods as a fond farewell prior to starting a healthy new diet. Decadent desserts, cheesy appetizers, and thick eggnog may be just the ticket for an evening of excess. Gather your guests around the fire for a cozy evening, and fill their senses with the final flavours and fragrances of the season. You can save your healthy diet for January, which means you will have plenty of fun and food until the clock strikes midnight.

Retro Rewind

A retro party theme can include old movies, board games and vintage costumes to pay tribute to past decades, and the gathering can celebrate culinary history by including a retro menu. Gelatin molds, fondue pots and old-fashioned cocktails are perfectly paired with a turntable and a stack of scratchy records for the sounds of yesteryear. Thrift or antique stores are an excellent source for finding the decor items, costumes and dishware you’ll need to create a groovy party from the past. 

Colour Your World

Planning a party around a colour theme can be simple or elaborate, and it’s only limited by your imagination. Decorations, costumes and table settings can be easily coordinated, but it’s coloured food that can really make your party fun. Some colours may be more challenging, such as blue, but other colours have many menu options from which to choose. Consider the fresh colour of green, and serve a variety of vegetables and salads along with lime, cucumber or pear cocktails and desserts. Sipping matcha tea around the fire while ringing in the New Year will end your green party with a chic flourish. 

With an elaborate or simple New Year’s party, the best part of planning and participating in the festivities is spending time with family and friends. Selecting a unique, fun theme for your event will make it extra special, and it is a fantastic way to ensure a great start to the year.

If staying at home for New Year’s sounds dull to you, why not plan to celebrate at one of Calgary’s Most Underrated Restaurants?

Photo credits: champagne, cheese

Author: Sereena S.

Mom of two, wife to one, and a dog lover. Although cats can be okay too, but only sometimes...