With only a couple of months left of the year, it's time to start planning your New Year's Eve Party. Great parties often have a theme. It helps set the tone for your guests and might even dictate what they wear, and it'll also help you select your food and drinks, the décor and the entertainment. Below are five theme ideas for your New Year's Eve party guaranteed to add plenty of flavour to the final night of 2017, and the early hours of 2018.
Casino Royale
For a classy and exciting New Year party, throw a Casino Royale extravaganza. Ask guests to show up all tuxedoed and have a real casino table, amongst other things, waiting at your venue. Serve drinks like martinis and mojitos on arrival, together with elegant canapés or tapas.
In terms of music, you want to go with a big band playing in the background. Here at Freak Music big bands are hugely popular both for New Year and Christmas parties. Classic tunes of Sinatra and Elvis will certainly add to the casino atmosphere. Keep the lighting dimmed but not too dark - you don't want people to hide their royal flush!
Many events companies that host casino evenings will still have availability for New Year's Eve, but be sure to move quickly!
Black Light Party
If you're all about partying and you don't want to restrict guests with too many dress code options, a black light party is a fantastic option. Turn off the lights, get some purple lights and glow sticks, and party on! Hand out glow bracelets and paint items with a glow-in-the-dark paint (you can make it yourself!).
Naturally, you'll then need proper dance music to set the mood. Create a playlist of your favourite house or trance tunes, and place your iPod speaker dock well away from where anyone can touch it!
This party is all about the music and dancing, so stick to traditional snacks and plenty of drinks. Vegetable sticks and crisps, simple savouries you can pre-prepare in the oven, and a punch bowl will work nicely.
The Swinging 1920s
Another classy and fun theme for a New Year's Eve party is a throwback to the swinging 1920s. This gives the ladies a chance to splash out on a gorgeous 20s dress and spend the evening looking like Greta Garbo.
You'll need a 1920s swing band to get the party going, along with plenty of champagne and gin Rickeys to keep your guests entertained.
For party food, consider something unique like baked ham.
You could even consider a murder mystery game - guys will usually turn up to a 1920s theme party looking like old school mobsters, so why not?
Hawaiian Party
Since New Year's Eve comes at the height of winter, you could just turn the tables and go with a Hawaiian party. Ask your guests to show up in their best summer dresses, shorts and shirts and greet them with colourful lei.
Serve pineapple and coconut based drinks and serve up some Hawaiian pizza (We know, pineapple on a pizza, but work with us on the theme here!) You can also go with a classic cream and strawberries dessert, or you could even serve barbecue if you're feeling summery. If you want to be really brave you could even plan for a clear evening and host a proper outdoor barbecue. When choosing a party venue go somewhere with an outdoor option just in case.
For music, find a beach band and you'll be sorted!
End of the World Party
Everyone thought 2016 was crazy, and then 2017 happened. It's safe to say we have no idea what 2018 has in store for us! With that in mind, an end of the world party just sounds like a fitting theme for the New Year, doesn't it?
Create an apocalyptic menu with flaming cocktails and party food served from tin cans. Ask guests to bring one item they'd have with them in a zombie apocalypse and you'll have a wonderful competition for the evening sorted! You'll be surprised by the kinds of things people think could save them in an apocalypse. If you know any "preppers" you could even get them to help you plan!
There you have it. A New Year's Eve party theme idea for everyone, whether you're a lazy planner or an all-out extravagant host.
Choose your favourite theme and wave goodbye to 2017 in style!