How to Throw the Perfect New Year's Eve Gathering

From the drinks and food to the atmosphere, with these simple few tips, you’ll throw a New Year’s Eve party your guests will never forget.

What makes a great New Year’s Eve gathering

If there’s one night that calls for a party, it’s New Year’s Eve. But there’s more to it than just the midnight toast. When hosting a New Year’s Eve gathering, you want to create a celebratory atmosphere that not only energises your guests the whole night through, but builds up naturally to the big countdown at 12 o’clock.

Time:

We recommend starting your party around 7pm or 8pm – early enough that everyone’s relaxed and excited for midnight – but not so early they’re falling asleep.

Music:

Playing the right music can help set the mood; choose tunes that build up energy slowly, avoiding anything too low-key.

Food:

A must-have at any gathering. Provide a steady flow of filling-but-light bites throughout the evening to line stomachs but not make guests feel sluggish. Charcuterie boards, blinis, and vegetable platters with dips all work early on, with hot canapés closer to midnight.

Drinks:

Select a variety of drinks, from wine and beers to spirits – and don’t forget the Champagne or sparkling wine for midnight. After all, it only comes once a year, so when the countdown comes, treat yourself and your guests to something special.

How to choose and serve wine for a New Year’s Eve gathering

New Year’s Eve isn’t the same without Champagne and sparkling wine. When the clocks hit 12, the fizz you serve – and how much you serve – will, of course, depend on your number of guests and your personal budget. But even just one bottle, with a splash per person, can lend a celebratory air. Make sure the fizz has been chilled for several hours in the fridge before serving, and keep your hand firmly on the cork as you twist the bottle open at a 45-degree angle. This will prevent spillage as the cork pops out, so you can enjoy every precious drop.

When hosting any party, it’s important to have a range of drinks to suit the diverse tastes of your guests. As a minimum, provide a choice of one red and one white wine, choosing bottles that match with the food you are serving but that are also pleasant to drink on their own – neither too acidic, nor too tannic.

The best wines for New Year’s Eve

From Champagne to crowd-pleasing reds and whites, discover the best drinks to serve for a New Year’s Eve gathering.

Pol Roger 'Sir Winston Churchill' Vintage Champagne

Few Champagnes are as celebratory as Pol Roger ‘Sir Winston Churchill’ Champagne, which is rich, complex, and special enough for any New Year’s cheer.

Laurent-Perrier ‘La Cuvée’ Brut Champagne

Another great choice for your New Year’s toast is this uniquely fresh fizz, made predominantly from Chardonnay. It remains a popular choice for discerning Champagne fans, with its wonderful white blossom, citrus, and peach flavours.

Bouvet Ladubay Saumur Brut

Over its rich history, Bouvet Ladubay has been endorsed by Napoleon III and chosen as official supplier to the House of Lords. They specialise in bringing out the floral notes in Chenin Blanc - this great value sparkling wine could flow all night long.