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New Year’s Eve party ideas

Nov 18, 2025 Denby

There’s no better way to ring in the new year than with great food, good company, and a beautifully set table. And whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner with close friends or a lively celebration with a lengthy guest list, welcoming the year ahead at home is the perfect way to begin it surrounded by loved ones.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to plan your perfect New Year’s Eve gathering. You’ll find tips for creative New Year’s party theme ideas, dinner and drinks menus, decor inspiration, and more.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

  • New Year’s Eve party theme ideas
    • Murder mystery
    • Mediterranean feast
    • Cocktail and canapé soirée
    • Roaring ‘20s
    • Escape room
    • New Year’s Eve-themed PowerPoint night
  • Hosting tips for your New Year’s Eve party

New Year’s Eve party theme ideas

Choosing a theme for your New Year’s Eve party can help bring together your food, decor, and tableware, resulting in an evening that feels cohesive and memorable. Here are a few ideas inspired by current trends, as well as some timeless entertaining favourites to help you ring in the new year in style.

Murder mystery

Murder mystery dinner parties have seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years. With shows like The Traitors US topping streaming charts and films such as Knives Out inspiring a love for old-fashioned whodunnits, this theme makes a stylish and timely choice for New Year’s Eve.

Perfect for a host who enjoys planning and creativity, a murder mystery party combines food, theatre, and fun. Assign characters to your guests, design clues to scatter around your home, and challenge everyone to solve the mystery before midnight. You can make it as elaborate or as simple as you like. 

For the setting, light candles and layer dark linens to build atmosphere. Deep, dramatic tableware such as Elements Black or Halo works beautifully against flickering candlelight. You could even plan your menu to match the story — serving dishes inspired by your characters or the setting of your mystery. 

For hosting tips and menu ideas, visit our guide to hosting a murder mystery party at home.

Mediterranean feast

At the darkest time of year, why not inject a little sunshine into your celebrations by drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean? Flavourful food, relaxed sharing-style dishes, and leisurely dinners make this theme perfect for hosts who prefer a sociable, informal evening.

Serve nibbles such as these carrot and dukkah crostinis or pita fingers with hummus and tabbouleh on serving platters, with dips in bowls or ramekins for family-style feasting that guests can enjoy throughout the night. Or, why not cook up a big seafood paella for everyone to dig in and enjoy? You’ll find plenty of inspiration in our guides to hosting a tapas party and building a charcuterie board.

The Mediterranean is also home to some delicious New Year’s food traditions: in Greece, pomegranate is a symbol of good luck for the coming year, while in Spain, it’s customary to eat twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight — one for each month — to welcome in a prosperous new year.

Sun-soaked styling:

According to Pinterest’s fall trend report, searches for all things Grecian are on the rise. Channel Greek islands with collections like Studio Blue, Azure, or Natural Canvas, and pair them with woven placemats and soft, natural linens. Add sprigs of rosemary or lavender in rustic vases or jugs to create a Mediterranean scent-scape that will transport you to sun-soaked paradise — even in the depths of winter. 

For more styling tips, read our Mediterranean interiors guide.

Cocktail and canapé soirée

If you prefer a lively, social atmosphere without the formality (or food prep) of a sit-down meal, host a cocktail party. Think sparkling drinks, bite-sized dishes, and a little extra glitz to mark the new year’s arrival in style.

Set a glamorous dress code: sequins, sparkles, and sharp tailoring never go amiss. Curate a soundtrack of classic party anthems or jazzy remixes to keep the energy high all evening, and add celebratory touches such as metallic garlands, shimmering table runners, or disco ball lights. A karaoke machine is always a crowd-pleaser for guests who love to perform.

Easy nibbles to serve: 

  • A selection of olives with hummus and pita fingers
  • Beetroot cured salmon on oat biscuits
  • Baked camembert served with crusty bread for dipping
  • Caramelized onion and goat’s cheese tartlets
  • Skewers of mozzarella, basil, and cherry tomato drizzled with balsamic glaze

Display your canapés on elegant serveware and offer guests small plates or shallow bowls to graze. To add a little extra sparkle, use starry tableware like our Porcelain Stars collection. 

Tip: Skip paper plates and single-use plastic cutlery — they’re not great for the environment. Our stoneware is durable enough to handle a busy party and can go straight into the dishwasher afterwards for easy clean-up. You can find more care details in our product care guide.

New Year’s Eve drinks to dazzle:

Don’t forget to serve plenty of cocktails. A few timeless options that always impress include:

For options for the non drinkers, try cranberry and pomegranate punch or non-alcoholic mulled wine.

Presentation can make all the difference. Explore our guide to cocktail garnishes for elegant finishing touches. If you’re building your own bar for the evening, take a look at our home bar styling ideas for setup inspiration.

Roaring ‘20s

We’re in the centenary of the 1920s, and according to Pinterest’s trend predictions, Art Deco design and speakeasy style are set for a revival this winter. What better way to make the most of the trend than by making it your New Year’s Eve party theme?

Channel the opulence of the era with a speakeasy-style soirée. Send out party invitations in invisible ink (here’s how) and ask guests to dress the part with 1920s-inspired outfits. For a playful party entrance, decorate your front door as a “closed” bar and direct guests around to a back-door entrance marked “Speakeasy this way.”

Inside, set the scene with low lighting, moody jazz music, and plenty of gold and black décor. You could repurpose old barrels as decorative tables, and add cut-glass candleholders for a vintage touch. Arc Blue, Imperial Blue, or Modern Deco dinner sets will bring an Art Deco-inspired palette to your tablescape.

Embrace a 1920s-style menu of rich and indulgent flavours:

Of course, no prohibition-era party would be complete without a few clandestine cocktails. Serve guests classics from the era, such as:

Serve highballs in tall tumblers, and short drinks in champagne flutes or coupe-style glasses for that vintage feel. You could even serve your outlawed beverages out of teapots to add to the fun.

Escape room

If you love puzzles, teamwork, and a little friendly competition, turn your New Year’s Eve party into an at-home escape room challenge. This theme is ideal for smaller gatherings or groups of close friends who enjoy getting creative together — and it’s guaranteed to keep everyone entertained until the countdown!

Start by choosing a storyline or mission for your guests to solve before midnight. You could create your own or buy a pre-made kit to make setup easy. Hide clues around the house — tucked into drawers, taped beneath plates, or concealed inside envelopes placed under glasses or bowls. Assign each team a starting clue and a time limit to heighten the suspense.

Since you’ll want to focus on the fun, opt for one-pot dishes you can prepare ahead of time. That way, you can spend the evening playing rather than cooking. A hearty chilli, risotto, or slow-cooked stew served straight from an oven dish or cast iron casserole dish makes a perfect centerpiece — warm, comforting, and easy to serve. Pair it with simple side dishes like crusty bread or a green salad.

New Year’s Eve-themed PowerPoint night

For a New Year’s Eve theme that’s equal parts heartfelt and hilarious, host a PowerPoint Night. This theme has gained traction on social media recently and has become a favorite among friend groups. It’s also the perfect way to look back on the year that’s passed.

Ask each guest to prepare a short presentation on a topic of their choice. It could be a roundup of their achievements, a “year in review” slideshow of funny moments, or a topic they’re passionate about — maybe a ranking of the best films, albums, or pop culture moments from the year. 

Set up a projector or TV screen as your stage, and arrange comfortable seating so guests can sit back and enjoy the show. You could even hand out small prizes for categories

Keep the menu simple and easy to eat, perfect for grazing while watching others present. Consider asking each guest to bring a starter or bake something to share — this spreads the workload and adds variety. Make sure to provide lap trays if you’ll be eating in the living room. 

Hosting tips for your New Year’s Eve party

A little planning goes a long way. Here are a few of our top tips to help make hosting less stressful this year: 

Plan ahead

Decide on your theme, guest list and menu early so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Prep as much food as you can in advance — dishes that can be made ahead or served buffet-style make hosting far less stressful. For inspiration, take a look at our recipe collection. 

Provide adequate tableware

Nothing slows a party down like a lack of essentials. Make sure you’ve got enough plates, bowls, drinkware, glassware, table accessories, and cutlery for everyone. Check that you also have the right cookware and bakeware for the dishes you plan to make, and don’t forget serveware, either. Coordinated tableware that fits your theme adds a thoughtful touch and helps set the right atmosphere. Explore our collections for styling inspiration. 

Make drinks easy-access

Set up a self-serve station with wine, cocktails, or non-alcoholic options, along with ice and garnishes. This encourages mingling and keeps you free to enjoy the night with your guests.

Set the mood with music

A great soundtrack is essential. Curate playlists ahead of time, mixing upbeat party anthems with slower tracks for downtime. Consider themed music to match your party style — jazz for a 1920s speakeasy, or Mediterranean tunes for a sun-soaked feast. Don’t forget to have speakers placed so everyone can hear comfortably without it being overpowering.

Keep lighting inviting

Lighting can instantly elevate the vibe of your New Year’s Eve party. Layer soft, warm lights with candles, string lights, or lanterns to create a cozy, festive atmosphere. For added glitz and glamour, metallic accents will reflect beautifully and make your décor sparkle.

Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a lively soirée, these New Year’s Eve party ideas will help you create an evening filled with laughter and unforgettable memories. Now, all that’s left to do is count down to midnight and welcome the year ahead in style!

Remember: the key to a memorable celebration lies in good planning and a little thoughtfulness for your guests. From delicious food and cocktails to music, lighting, and tableware, every detail adds to the festive atmosphere. 

Ready to start planning? Visit our inspiration hub for more ideas to help kick off your New Year’s party in style.

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