How to Celebrate A Non-Alcoholic New Year's Eve

Ringing in the New Year doesn’t have to end in drunken debauchery! Check out these steps to help you plan a wild bash sans alcohol.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Lots of “mixers;” orange juice, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, regular and diet sodas, tonic water, club soda, milk.

1. Mix up some Mocktails! There may not be alcohol at your party, but chances are your guests will likely be thirsty at some point in the evening. Try mixing a few simple “mocktails” before the big night to figure out what tastes best. Try mixing different juices with touches of fresh fruit or club soda. If you’re feeling creative try giving each concoction a non-alcoholic name. Here are a few I’ve come up with: “Sober Sunrise,” “White Russian without the Concussion,” or the “Mind Saver.” Get those fruit (and creative!) juices flowing and have fun experimenting!
2. If ringing in a new year isn’t enough to get you in the party mood, try adding a theme of your own to the night’s festivities! Try out a “Futuristic New Year’s Eve” where everyone comes dressed in gear they may be wearing in 25 years. Or how about a “New Year’s Eve Resolution Party” in which you have people dress according to what their New Year’s Resolutions will be, while everyone tries to guess each other’s resolutions.
3. Music is key. This is a party, after all! Go through your guest list and get a feel for what most people will like to hear while counting down to the new year. If there is an extra theme to your party, take this into consideration as well. You don’t want to be playing hip-hop at a ’50s sock hop party!

Tips & Warnings

• Break out the good china. Since you can rely on your guests to stay sober all night, why not treat them to the good glass or dishwear in your cupboards? This will add an elegant touch to the evening and the chances of someone drunkenly breaking your favorite glasses are close to nil.
• State on your party invitation that this will be a non-alcoholic event. This way people will not be surprised when they arrive, or bring unexpected party favors (bottles of alcohol). If you choose to send out reminders shortly before the party, this may also be a good opportunity to once again point out the non-alcoholic theme.
• Be sure to invite only those whom you can entrust to respect your non-alcoholic choice. A few “rule-breakers” could ruin the fun for everyone.