Hosting a Fabulous New Year’s Eve Party

When we were in need of fun and fab — yet easy — New Year’s Eve party ideas, we knew just who to call: the incomparable Erica Cook! Erica is a Calgary-based interior designer of Moth Design fame, as well as a mother to five fantastic boys. She shared her quick tips for hosting a stress-free get-together to welcome the New Year, and we can’t wait to say goodbye to 2016 in style!

I love New Year’s Eve for so many reasons; maybe because there’s something magical about a fresh start. The celebration is much more than just a party, it’s a renewed chance to accomplish dreams and goals and reevaluate for a new year. I enjoy hosting at my home every year. It’s become a tradition. Somehow I have license to justify all of the glitter, sparkle, metallics and pretty decor my heart desires. I start thinking about a theme or look early in November, but it helps that there’s always a pocket of time after boxing day to get more organized. Anything I order before Christmas always arrives in time.

This year I decided for the first time to host in the little cottage I have out back in the yard. It’s cozy and intimate with a fireplace and informal seating yet still fits my guest list.

We’ve decorated for a post to share with you on how to recreate the same look. However we’ll be hosting the real party on New Year’s Eve.

I went with steely grey blues, silvers and copper. In a nod to a time of classic cocktails, cut crystal and polished nickel, I wanted everything to be reminiscent of the deco era. The evening’s signature cocktails: moscow mule and old fashioned with champagne for toasting at midnight. I kept the food simple with a charcuterie boards from Cured Deli. My friends at Amborella Floral Studio suggested a mix of eucalyptus and magnolia leaves in a garland with evergreens. The mix of copper and sage blue tones compliment the other accessories.

• Copper Cocktail Shaker for moscow mule prep and Large Cut Glass Shaker for Old Fashioneds — this made it easy to differentiate and eliminated the need for cleanup in-between cocktail prep.

• A Copper Lidded Ice Bucket held individual champagne bottles chilling.

• I went with heavy cut Library Glassware for serving old fashioned and Copper Moscow Mule Mug for the Moscow mules.

• Updated pillow covers (like the Esme Embroidered Pillow Cover) and a fluffy white faux fur throw (like the Gathered Faux Fur Throw).

• Silver German Glitter Letter Ornaments were ordered to spell out N-Y-E, and a selection of pretty Travelers Homescent Journey Votives woven into a garland from Amborella for the fireplace.

• The simplest addition is a one-of-a-kind PB Found Dough Bowl (that can be used throughout the year) with some Mercury Glass Ornaments casually placed inside.

• New lamps (like these Jamie Young Ceramic Column Table Lamps) and plenty of Mercury Glass Votive Candles and Flickering Flameless Candles cast a warm glow and create ambiance.

• Charcuterie from Cured Deli comes all set up on wooden chop blocks. I laid out some additional Marble Cheese Knives and the food was set.

Featured products:

• Copper Cocktail Shaker
• Large Cut Glass Shaker
• Copper Lidded Ice Bucket
• Library Glassware
• Copper Moscow Mule Mug
• Esme Embroidered Pillow Cover
• Gathered Faux Fur Throw
• Silver German Glitter Letter Ornaments
• Travelers Homescent Journey Votives
• PB Found Dough Bowl
• Mercury Glass Ornaments
• Jamie Young Ceramic Column Table Lamps
• Mercury Glass Votive Candles
• Flickering Flameless Candles
• Marble Cheese Knives