30 dazzling New Year’s Eve decorations to make the evening sparkle
New Year’s Eve is a time to reflect on the ups and downs of the past 365 days, welcome bright new beginnings, and create your list of New Year’s resolutions—you know, the ones you miraculously forget about by mid-January?
This year, ditch the resolutions in favor of a fabulous New Year’s Eve party. We’re talking Champagne toasts, fireworks, and plenty of glitter.
Whether you already have a color scheme in mind or you’re still sketching out the details of your extravaganza, festive NYE décor can go a long way. We’ve got a shiny list of New Year’s Eve party decoration ideas to get your December 31st glimmering in gold and ringing in an unforgettable year to come.
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How to decorate for New Year’s Eve
There’s no wrong way to throw a New Year’s Eve party, but there are many ways to ensure your party is one to remember. Once you’ve selected your New Year’s Eve party idea, follow these tips to ring in the new year with style.
- Clear out the Christmas stuff. You don’t have to take down the tree yet—see our tips below for a proper holiday transfer—but the décor in your house should be less Santa-centric than it was a week ago. Opt for New Year’s Eve decorations from Paperless Post Party Shop to step things up a notch.
- Choose your vibe. Is this a tux-and-gown type of New Year’s Eve party, or a feather-boa-and-wild-glasses shindig? Decide whether guests should dress up or party down long before you select your New Year’s Eve décor.
- Opt for gold, silver, and black. No matter the mood, you can’t go wrong with a gold, black, and silver motif. It channels sparkling Champagne against a midnight sky—the perfect energy for any NYE event.
- Set your theme early. Don’t let your guests arrive in ball gowns when you’re serving Jell-O shots! Establish the dress code and theme early with Paperless Post New Year’s Eve invitations, which you can send via email, text, or shareable link for the most replies possible.
Give your tree a little New Year’s Eve makeover
After shopping for the perfect tree for two hours in unmentionable temperatures (or hauling it out of storage), you—and your tree—deserve admiration well past Christmas Day. That said, once Santa has gone back to the North Pole, it’s time to give your beloved tree a New Year makeover.
- Gold ornaments: Replace your red and green Christmas ornaments with colors for the new year. Opt for simple and sophisticated gold and silver, such as a case of Neutral Ornaments by Cody Foster, which include shiny champagne colors.
- Sparkly tinsel or garland: If you want your tree to sparkle brighter than a disco ball, consider sprinkling gold or silver tinsel on your tree from top to bottom. If a garland is more your style, you can wrap your newly themed tree in the Eco Glitter Stars Garland by Meri Meri (bonus points for glitter).
- New Year banner: Add the Say Anything Customizable Letter Banner by Coterie across the front of your tree for a dash of pizzazz — string together a phrase that fits your party’s motif. Our personal favorites are “Kiss at Midnight” or “More Good Times,” but like the Champagne, you can let your creative juices flow freely.
- Champagne ornaments: Bring cheers to the new year with a set of Glass Bottle Ornaments by Cody Foster. Tiny bottles in tiny buckets of ice are just the adorable—yet boozy—touch your party needs.
- Black tassel garland: Add a black-tie detail to your Christmas tree with Paperboy’s Tassel Garland Kit. Also available in white and gold, this strand of festive tassel makes it clear that New Year’s Eve is in the house.
Blow up the party vibes with breathtaking balloons
No matter your theme, glimmering golden balloons work—we promise. They’re quick and easy to find, adding a bold New Year’s flair without too much effort on your behalf. It’s a win-win.
- Golden number balloons: Remind everyone of the better-than-ever year they’re about to embark on with digit balloons that proudly display the imminent new year.
- Golden balloon arch: Hit everyone with the New Year’s Eve feels as soon as they walk up your driveway with a Gold Balloon Arch Kit by Meri Meri parked outside your front door. Or make it the backdrop for your New Year-themed photo booth area!
- Champagne bubble balloons: If you have a décor-free zone and are itching to fill it with something simple but elegant, we recommend crafting a giant Champagne bottle bursting with Champagne bubbles. With a large helium Champagne balloon in place, you can incorporate a mini arch of glittering gold, cream, and baby pink balloons spouting from the top of the Champagne bottle. It’s on-theme for the night and is sure to exude upscale party vibes—especially if it’s placed near the libations.
- Jumbo tassel balloon: The Jumbo Balloon & Tassel Tail by Paperboy is 36 inches of festive fun that hovers or hangs in any corner of your party space. For extra sparkle, go for the Confetti version.
- Balloon banner: If you’re glad the year is over—or excited for the year to come—there’s no better New Year’s Eve sentiment than “Hooray.” Hang up the Hooray Balloon Banner by Coterie to get the message across properly.
- Balloon bouquet: A simple touch to an upscale party, the Balloon Bouquet by Paperboy adds the right New Year’s Eve colors with a requisite amount of fun. Bunch together the balloons for a large display, or intersperse them throughout your space to spread the joy around.
Bedazzle your door with New Year’s Eve décor
While a Christmas wreath on your front door is cheery, New Year’s Eve door décor captivates your guests with glam from the moment they arrive. These ideas will supply your home’s exterior and entryway with a glitzy atmosphere long before the clock strikes midnight.
- Tulle garland: Fancify your front door with a chic tulle-inspired garland. Head to your nearest craft store and pick up some gold or silver tulle to drape delicately over the frame of your front door. For added sparkle, twist some soft twinkle lights around the tulle.
- Countdown clock: This New Year’s tradition is an homage to the New Year’s celebrations. Pick up a vintage clock at your local thrift shop or splurge on a new one that you can later use as sophisticated wall décor that doubles as—gasp—a clock!
- Black banner: Versatile for tabletop and home décor, the Classic Black Banner Table Accent by Hester & Cook makes a beautiful appearance on your front door. Just write the new year you’re hearkening in, and open the door to a party.
- Sparkle chandelier: Is there anything more festive than a chandelier at a New Year’s Party? Hang up Meri Meri’s Gold Sparkle Star Chandelier to set an elegant scene the moment guests walk through the door.
- Gold star wreath: Swap out the Christmas pine and berries for New Year’s gold and sparkles. A 23-inch Gold Star Wreath by Cody Foster adds a hint of sophistication to your doorway as guests prepare to leave the old year behind.
- Gold party fans: Adorn your doorway with shimmering Gold Party Fans by Cody Foster. Emblazoned with white, gold, and reddish stripes, these classy New Year’s Eve decorations let everyone in the neighborhood know where the party is this year.
Give your dining table a makeover
Whether you’re preparing a formal feast or keeping it simple with must-have hors d’oeuvres (we’re looking at you, brie-stuffed dates), one thing is for certain: your dining table deserves some sparkle. Add these table decorations for a New Year’s Party to give last year a proper goodbye.
- Gold serving tray: A gold serving tray is an excellent choice of ornamentation for your dining table—especially if it has a mirrored glass base for added shine. Load it up with party favors or use it to host the condiments in individual mini jars with handcrafted labels.
- Gold cutlery: Silver spoons are so overrated. What conjures the New Year’s Eve vibes you seek? Gold spoons, of course. Round it out with forks and knives and you’ve got yourself a cutlery sensation.
- Napkins: Class up the table settings (and your golden spoons) with an aptly chosen napkin set. If you’re hosting a large gathering, you can opt for paper cocktail napkins with golden edges. For a more intimate affair, treat your guests to gold and black plaid linens.
- Place cards: If you plan to set seating arrangements or label appetizers, we’ve got just the idea to seal the deal—place cards. And not just any place cards—ones adorned with golden trim. Go for Caspari’s Champers Gold Foil Place Cards for an extra splash of bubbly on the table.
- White wreath centerpiece: You may have already put away the Christmas wreath with its massive red bow, but that leaves room for a wonderful white wreath in its place at the dinner table. For extra panache, add a glass vase in the center of the wreath filled with silver ornaments and bright twinkly fairy lights.
- Gold fringe party cups: Red plastic cups are the go-to choice for barbecues—but not tonight. On New Year’s Eve, treat yourself to Gold Fringe Party Cups by Meri Meri like the sophisticated bunch you are. You can stack them next to the bar so people can appreciate them in all of their golden glory until the clock strikes midnight (and perhaps even after).
- Hypnotic centerpiece runner: Do you dare to go bold for your big night? If so, the Hypnotic Centerpiece Runner by Atelier Saucier adds exuberance and class to your dining experience.
Ring in the New Year with memorable party favors
Even as adults, finding yourself with an unexpected party favor brings your inner child to life. The adult in you says, “Aww, for me?” while the 10-year-old version of you is doing somersaults in excited anticipation.
Whether your party favors come in the form of decadent homemade holiday cookies or personalized party hats, they won’t soon be forgotten by your guests (unless they have one Champagne flute too many).
- Champagne crackers: This spirited celebration cracker is stuffed with candy, confetti, and other fun surprises that spill out when you pull on both ends. Pass out Caspari’s Champagne Bottle Cone Celebration Crackers right before the ball drops, or place one on each guest’s table setting as an added decoration.
- Mini Champagne bottles: Instead of Champagne crackers, you may be the kind of host who prefers to hand out Champagne bottles. If so, offering mini Champagne bottles to enjoy at a later date can be an indulgent reminder of the intoxicatingly fabulous time they had at your New Year’s Eve soiree.
- Goodie bags or jars: Fill with a few favorite favors, like office supplies, makeup, or whatever your imagination can muster. Once decorated, fill each jar with candy and a party horn. Voila!
- Surprise balls: If you and your guests can’t wait for the ball to drop, distract them with Meri Meri’s Gold & Silver Surprise Balls. Each one comes with a trivia card, friendship bracelet, and a gold or silver foiled hat—what more does a party really need?
- Mini disco balls: Send guests home with a fabulous reminder of your good times with mini Mirrored Disco Balls by LIBBY & ME. They can hang these beauties in their office or home to catch everyday sparkles long after January 1st.
Plan your countdown with Paperless Post
Planning a New Year’s Eve party is a breeze with Paperless Post by your side. Choose among hundreds of invitations, from classic stationery-inspired invites to more casual animated Flyers. Check out our guide to New Year’s Eve party invitation wording to get your message just right for the new year.
Once you’ve found your perfect match, customize it to your liking and send it to your guests using whichever delivery method you prefer—text, email, or shareable link. It’s quick and easy, and you’ll receive RSVPs in real time.
With your New Year’s Eve party invitations set, you can (virtually) saunter over to the Paperless Post Party Shop to gather the ultimate supplies and décor to match your decorations—and create an aesthetic that rivals the Time’s Square New Year’s Eve bash. Or perhaps just one that competes with your neighbor’s party. With free shipping after a $75 purchase and 10% off your first order, it’s guaranteed to be a happy new year!
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