How to Plan a New Year's Eve Menu

Throwing a New Year's Eve party can be a lot of fun. It's a festive time, and your guests will expect certain traditional festivities for New Year's Eve. Noisemakers and champagne are among the staples for a New Year's Eve party. You'll want to consider expectations when planning the menu also.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Count the crowd. Decide whether your menu needs to be a sit-down dinner for six or a buffet for 60. The number of people you invite to your New Year's Eve party has a direct effect on the menu.

2. Add elegance. Even if your New Year's Eve party is a relaxed and casual affair, there are certain elements that must make the menu. Champagne and chocolate are two important ingredients in a New Year's Eve menu. Find a way to work some elegant foods into your menu, like filet mignon, shrimp, lobster tails or scallops.

3. Consider your budget. You may not be able to serve filet mignon to all 60 of your guests, but you can include small pieces of filet wrapped in bacon on a toothpick on your menu. Plan several simple appetizers and make them yourself to stay within your budget.

4. Drink up. You can't throw a New Year's Eve party without fancy drinks. You'll need something bubbly. If champagne is beyond your budget, try a sparkling wine (or for the designated drivers, fruit juice). As an alternative, choose a signature drink for the evening, make it by the pitcher and serve it in festive glasses. You can even dress up the glasses with curly ribbon or streamers.