$100 NEW YEAR’S EVE

 

8 PEOPLE – CHAMPAGNE – DECORATIONS – HORS D’OEUVRES

Don’t let a strict budget keep you from ringing in the New Year in sparkling fashion!  Follow these simple steps, and party outline, and you can host the STYLE event of the year!

 

THINK…silver, gold, black and white!  Stick with this color palette to create a stunning environment.  Follow this rule for everything from décor to napkins, horns to clothing.

ENVIRONMENT

Leave up your holiday tree and garland but remove all the ornaments and decorations except for items that are silver, gold, black or white.  Use ribbons or bows that came on packages in those colors and attach to your greenery.  Separate your ornaments and make one large bowl of bulbs.  You can use all one shade, or combine all your silver, gold and white together.  Raid your jewelry box, closet and drawers, gather jewelry, scarves and any pretties in these colors to use as decorations.

 

Curl white paper into horn shapes, tape at the small end and stick into the tree.  This will create a fun Mardi gras effect.  Hang white snowflakes or silver stars. Attach with thread or fishing line and use push pins to stick into the ceiling.  Hang as many as you have, or can fit within your budget.

Candles give the event that special glow!  Use everything you have in silver, gold, black or white.  Add extra shimmer by placing them in front of a mirror.  Create a little Phantom setting by using an empty frame, (see above) and placing candles in front and behind.   If you have paper lanterns leftover from that back yard party, break them out!

ATTIRE

Control your visual spectrum by requesting all your guests arrive in SILVER, GOLD, BLACK or WHITE attire.  Any style will do, casual to formal.  This is THE time to ACCESSORIZE!  Try adding super sparkly silver & gold jewelry to black jeans and a crisp white blouse, or break out that leopard print camisole!  Use holiday ornaments as crazy big earrings.   Use scarves in the color palette to dress up you and your event.  Try tying them around chairs or use as table runner.

BEVERAGES

Think simple but classic…champagne, sparkling cider, club soda.   Warehouse stores and markets have great deals this time of year on party refreshments, so shop for the best deals!  If you would like to add one additional liquid pleasure to the mix, try mixing 3 parts club soda to 1 part cranberry juice.  This makes an inexpensive, yet refreshing and delicious addition to your party drinks, and is a festive favorite for those designated drivers!

The budget allows…

6 Bottles Champagne

4 Sparkling Cider

2 Two-liter Club Soda

 

BUDGET CHAMPAGNE ADVICE

We estimated Cristalino at $6.50 per bottle.  This is a VERY GOOD sparkler and superior value and excellent drinkability.  If you would like to slightly increase your budget try Freixenet Bruit Nature (aprox $9) dry & smooth with mineral complexity, or Martini & Rossi Prosecco (aprox. $12.99), a lovely blend of bread, fruity peach, apple, and melon.

GOOD EATS

When it comes to munchies think fun & festive, finger food.  This eliminates the need for utensils and forces guests to get into the atmosphere by using their hands.  Since you will be serving champagne be sure to have hearty food to absorb alcohol.  Try these tasty treats or serve up your own festive favorites.

The budget allows…

3 Appetizers

2 Dessert Nibblers

 

CHEESIE FRUIT FIREWORKS

This festive firecracker adds decoration to your party as well as delicious sparks to your taste buds.  Use your own medley of cheese and fruit, for the best deals design around what your local market has on special.  All variations of this kabob will create a pretty and palatable appetizer.

1 lb Cheddar Cheese

1 lb Jack Cheese

1 Bunch Grapes

1 Mellon (Honeydew or Cantaloupe)

20 wooden skewers

Cut melon in half.  Carve fruit from one side carefully to leave half circle in tact.  Turn upside down on a platter.  Cut melon, strawberries, and cheese into one inch cubes.  Thread onto skewers.  Leave enough room at one end to stick into the half melon, and room at the other so guests can hold freely.

 

TOMBA BRUSCHETTA

Fresh and beautiful this will fill up your guests, and make a beautiful serving tray.  The better the quality of olive oil you use, the richer this little treasure becomes.  You can sprinkle a little dried rosemary or thyme on top if you have some on hand.

Italian or French loaf

2 Firm ripe tomatoes

Fresh basil leaves

Extra Virgin olive oil

Salt to taste

Dice tomatoes and separate basil into single leaves or small sprouts.  Cut bread into ½ inch slices.  Toast under a broiler until golden brown.  Top toasts with tomatoes, add a bit of the basil, and drizzle with olive oil just before serving.

 

This yummy snack fills the tummy and tastes fantastic!  This is often done with tortillas, but try it with Lavash and Feta for a new international twist.  This recipe makes plenty to go around so no one leaves hungry.

1 Package Lavash

1 lb Feta

8 oz Cream cheese

12 oz Turkey deli style thin sliced

Leaf Lettuce

Lay Lavash out flat, spread cream cheese out to about ¼” from the edge.  Lay turkey on top.  Crumble Feta and sprinkle on opt of turkey.  Place lettuce on top and roll into tubes.  Cut into ½ inch rounds and place on serving platter.

MACAROON & MARSHMALLOW MAGIC

As beautiful as they are delicious, these two sweet treats will give the perfect punch to the midnight hour.  Use store bought Macaroons or bake up a batch of your own.  Top Marshmallows with what you have on hand, coconut, chopped nuts or crumbled gram crackers.

24 Marshmallows

1 Bag Semisweet Chocolate Chips

7 Tbs Toppings (nuts, coconut, graham crackers)

Melt chocolate, dip top of each marshmallow into chocolate.  Allow excess to drip off before turning right side up and place on platter.  Finely chop nuts, or crumble gram crackers and sprinkle on top.  Place in a cool dry place for 20 minutes for chocolate to set.

NEW YEAR’S EVE 

BUDGET

 

BEVERAGES

$2.00 2 2-liter Club Soda

$8.00 4 Sparkling Cider

$40.00 6 Champagne

FUN FAVORS

$5.00 40 Balloons

$2.50 8 Horns

FRUIT FIREWORK

$3.00           1 lb Cheddar Cheese

$3.00           1 lb Jack Cheese

$2.50           1 Bunch Grapes

$2.00           1 Mellon

$2.00            Wooden Skewers (party store 100 $1.99)

BRUSCHETTA

$2.00           French bread

$2.00           Tomatoes

$3.00            Basil

$4.00            E.V.O.O.

LAVA ROLLS

$2.00             1 lb Feta

$1.00              8 oz Cream cheese

$2.00              Lavash

$3.00             12 oz Sliced Turkey

$1.00              Lettuce

DELICIOUS DESSERTS

$2.00             Large Marshmallows

$2.50             Semi-Sweet Chocolate

$2.00             Coconut

$3.00             Macaroons (store bought)

________________________

$99.50           TOTAL!!!!