I spent a lot of time preparing! While visiting my family in upstate New York over Christmas, I passed several quiet evenings watching BBC with my Grandma and crafting this polka-dot garland:
After I got home from upstate, I did some additional decorating, finally hanging some white lights and putting up some holiday-type sparkly trinkets.
Our menu consisted of light fare, keeping in mind that even though it would be late, people would need something to counteract the cocktails we would be drinking. I made and bought a few sweet and a few savory dishes:
- Baked brie with blackberry jam in puff pastry (here is a variation on the recipe)
- Sweet and spicy mini popcorn balls (inspired by these)
- Shrimp cocktail
- Salted nuts and olives
- Trader Joe's pastry with feta and caramelized onions
Beverages included vodka based mixed drinks with pear nectar and seltzer, Stella Artois and, of course, Champagne!
I found a great New Year's Eve themed party pack at Party City near Union Square in Manhattan. The kit included party horns, cute napkins, and an assortment of fun appetizer skewers and picks - I used some of the frilliest picks in the mini popcorn balls.
Our party was an intimate affair, with five guests plus Brian and me. Before midnight, we listened to Brian's fantastic playlist that he uploaded to our new PS3. And after the ball dropped, we sang karaoke and finished off our great many bottles of Champagne.
I found my party dress on clearance at Ann Taylor for only $29!! My short pearl necklace was a Christmas gift, the long beaded necklace is from H&M, and the bracelets are from Banana Republic. My friend's sequin covered tank is from Express.
I had a fantastic time at our party, and it gave me lots of confidence to throw more in the future (House Warming, anyone!?) Thank you to our friends, old and new, who attended and made our evening so special!
1 comment:
It was such a great time!
Post a Comment