Black Bean and Corn Wonton Cups >>

Casual New Year's Menu Buttered Rum-Spiced Cider Roasted Vegetables with Tarragon Dip Apricot Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs Cheese and Artichoke Fondue Black Bean and Corn Wonton Cups Fudgy Brownie Trifle Luscious Lemon-Raspberry Bars

Make it Special!

• Encourage guests to bring a battery-operated alarm clock. Set the alarms to go off at midnight, and place the clocks all over the party area! Or place a collection of the clocks on a mirrored tray as a centerpiece.
• Make a quick centerpiece by placing glittering ball ornaments in a wire basket or crystal bowl.

Fun Serving Ideas

• Use hollowed-out colorful bell peppers, cabbage, squash or round bread loaves for fun and colorful containers to hold veggie dip.
• Embellish mug handles or bases of stemware with metallic curly ribbon. A different color of ribbon for each guest can keep drinkware from being misplaced.
• Bump up plain coffee to an inviting espresso bar! Set up espresso carafes (regular and decaf) with extras for stir-ins and toppers. 
• Stir-Ins: flavored syrups, flavored creams or eggnog, cream and sugar
• Toppers: whipped cream, ice-cream toppings, candy sprinkles, ground nutmeg or cinnamon

Casual Party Activities

• Got snow? Make a snowperson! Ask guests to wear appropriate clothing.
• Build a huge bonfire--remember to check your city's ordinances! Tell stories of bygone years, or predict the future.
• Hide a treasure of gold-colored medallions, gold foil-covered chocolate coins and golden baubles and beads found in craft stores. Entice guests with creative clues to answer so they can discover the treasure by the stroke of midnight.