How to Host a Budget New Year's Eve Party

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Go ahead – invite friends over to ring in the New Year. You can throw an elegant soiree without spending a fortune.

Step 1: Limit the bar
Limit the bar to beer, wine, and one signature cocktail. Have just enough champagne for everyone to take a few sips at midnight.

Tip
Serve Spanish Cava sparkling wine instead of champagne; it's less expensive, but few will be able to tell the difference.

Step 2: Use discounted paper products
Buy holiday-themed paper products after Christmas, when they're steeply discounted. Look for stuff with generic winter themes, instead of Santa or Christmas trees.

Step 3: Skip the dinner
Invite guests on the later side so you can serve drinks and snacks instead of a full dinner. Plan munchies around what's available at the dollar store.

Step 4: Make inexpensive eats look elegant
Make inexpensive foods look elegant by focusing on presentation. Serve the food on decorative platters or in creative ways.

Step 5: Buy fresh flowers
Get several bouquets of an inexpensive flower in one color, and put them in vases around the party area.

Step 6: Use tea lights
Buy tea-light candles in bulk and float them in bowls of various shapes and sizes.

Did You Know?
Ethiopia follows a Roman-era calendar, which is seven years behind the standard calendar, so they welcomed the year 2000 in 2007.