Ring in the New Year in style! Host a party that pulls out all the stops, with sparkling Champagne cocktails and an enticing array of savory and sweet bites. Our menu and party tips will put guests in the celebratory spirit while they wait for the clock to strike midnight. Happy New Year!
Our golden rule of entertaining: make it manageable so you’re not a bundle of stress on the big day. For this festive bash, make the savories and buy the sweets!
Start out with plenty of bubbly and an array of gorgeous appetizers. Raw oysters are elegant and luxurious, and ours get a tangy boost from an herbed mignonette sauce. Top crostini with goat cheese and sweet-tart kumquats for something unexpected, then prepare this simple but always crowd-pleasing shrimp cocktail. Finally, fill flaky pastry with earthy mushrooms and nutty Gruyere cheese to make these turnovers (use store-bought dough to cut down on prep time — we won’t tell).
When it’s time for dessert, have some special occasion sweets on hand that also make a beautiful display. Don’t forget the season’s signature flavor: Peppermint Bark! The classic never fails, but you can also mix it up with cremes and cookies. Colorful macarons are whimsical and decadent; we also love this handcrafted toffee and these artful pate des fruits.
- 1 to 2 days ahead: Make the pastry dough for the turnovers (if using homemade). Make the mignonette sauce. Make the crostini, cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Make the goat cheese topping for the crostini. Mix the cocktail sauce for the shrimp.
- Day of: Make the mushroom filling for the turnovers and cool. Cook the shrimp, let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Just before serving: Assemble and bake the turnovers. Shuck oysters and arrange on ice. Finish the crostini. Finish the shrimp.
The right tunes will put everyone in the mood to party! Check out our Spotify playlist (yes, Auld Lang Syne is a must).
Wondering what kinds of sparkling wine to serve? Learn all about the many styles of bubbly, from venerated Champagne to Prosecco and Cava, straight from a wine expert. If you like, mix up a Champagne cocktail, too — we love this easy pomegranate version.
Chilling Champagne on ice isn’t just functional, it also makes a beautiful presentation. A large party bucket can accommodate a few bottles at once. Get creative with your dessert display, too — a tiered stand will make those macarons look even lovelier.
Set out a stack of appetizer plates, cocktail napkins and Champagne glasses for people to serve themselves.
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MOHAMED