Let’s get one thing straight: no good ever came from going out on New Year’s Eve.
Unless ‘going out’ means departing the country on a private jet to a tropical island (or similar) to ring in January 1 of a fresh year, the best option is to spare yourself the eyewatering prices, freezing cold and dodgy toilets by staying at home.
Don’t be mistaken: staying at home doesn’t mean drawing the curtains and falling asleep before midnight. No, this year deserves to go out with a bang, and by bang, I mean a house party.
You’ll have full control over the music, the drinks will be free (enforce a BYOB situation with a few crates on hand to get things started - our alcohol deals roundup is swimming with offers), and the queue for the loo will be mercifully short and entirely populated by your mates so you probably won’t mind a little wait.
Throwing a party is also a great way to box away Christmas and redecorate your space with fun New Year’s Eve-appropriate decorations.
For an occasion such as this, there are failsafe themes: The Great Gatsby, or an all-encompassing gold speaks to all-out decadence. Lean into metallic silver instead to drive home the futuristic vibe. Or you could nod to the standout memes and moments of 2024, namely Brat’s neon green or its opposite, Demure & Mindful.
Then there’s Moo Deng, a tiny creature that has won hearts and minds across the continents. Simply print out her image to decorate a feature wall and watch the stampede as everyone takes a selfie in front of it.
Need help getting started? I’ve rounded up the best decorations to have delivered now and make your NYE party the best in town.
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NYE Party theme: The Great Gatsby
Edelweiss Oyster Champagne Bucket
The Great Gatsby is always a top theme for New Year’s Eve parties. Play into the decadence with this oyster-themed bucket, ideal for keeping Champagne at its coolest ahead of the big countdown.
Buy now £95.00, Liberty
NUPTIO Gold Vase Centrepieces
Fact: the higher the plume, the better the party. Best to steer clear of naked flames if you’re picturing these as centrepieces.
Buy now £37.98, Amazon
SELFRIDGES EDIT Tinsel Chandelier Christmas decoration
Chandeliers are a must, but you don't have to swap your current lighting for just one night. A tinsel option gives a far more playful and celebratory vibe that you won’t need to call an electrician to install. Plus, it has year-round appeal.
Buy now £45.00, Selfridges
LAV 12x Clear 235ml Misket Glass Champagne Saucers
Nobody is saying that you have to have a Champagne fountain, but tell me this: will they ever stop talking about it if you did?
A coupe feels more opulent than a flute, and besides, you can pour espresso martinis and cosmos in them too. This set of a dozen comes at a don’t-think-twice price.
Buy now £21.99, Amazon
NYE Party theme: Stay Golden
Sostrene Grene New Year's Eve accessories
Get friends and family dressed up for the occasion in this New Year accessory set which comes with enough party hats, tiaras and card specs to dress at least six revellers. Available in silver or gold.
Buy now £11.20, Sostrene Grene
Talking Tables Blaster Shoots
It’s not enough to have Champagne raining down at the crucial moment; make it extra special by adding confetti to the mix. Talking Tables’ blasters take dinky little party poppers to the next level with a decent bang and a flurry of biodegradable confetti pieces. Set them up at accessible points around the room so everyone can grab one.
Buy now £5.26, Amazon
Reflective Star Paper Garland
Whether it’s cloudy or clear, the stars will come out for New Year’s Even with this paper garland available at Amazon. Stretching 15 metres, reflective star shapes are stitched with gold thread, giving you the freedom to hang and drape them however you like. Buy now and keep to use for birthdays, BBQs and weddings to come.
Buy now £6.59, Amazon
Toast Concertina Petal Paper Garland
Designed to be reused for various parties, Toast’s floral party garland has been made in India using recycled and sustainable materials. The colour palette makes it particularly suited for autumn-winter occasions.
Buy now £23.00, Toast
NYE Party theme: The Future's Here, Silver
HOLIDYOYO 1 Set 2025 Balloon
Give the new year the welcome it deserves. These foil balloons can be put up indoors or out, but best to check the forecast first to ensure your decorations go the distance.
Buy now £6.89, Amazon
Ginger Ray Silver Disco Ball Ice Bucket
Throw tiny sparkles around the room by placing this disco ball-themed cooler on a lazy Susan and giving it a spin.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
FUNTOOB Silver Star Balloons
Balloons get an edge with these strange star-shaped designs available from Amazon. You’ll get 50 pieces in the pack, enough to make an impact in any room size.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Lights4Fun 200 Starburst Solar USB String Lights
Treat guests to the spectacle of indoor fireworks with these starburst fairy lights, powered by USB so you never have to fork out for batteries again.
Buy now £27.99, Lights4Fun
NYE Party theme: BRAT
Metallic Lime Green Balloon Arch
No need for any head-scratching over this theme; the lime green arch might be as subtle as a sledgehammer but is a cracking ice-breaker too. You’ll get 100 balloons in this kit, plus a garland strip, glue and ribbon to help you achieve a professional result.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
2PCS Iridescent Fringe Foil Curtain
Whether you want to create a photo wall or section off areas around the house, this iridescent streamer curtain can make it happen. It’s a cheap and cheerful way to create a backdrop - just add an instant camera and you’re good to go.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
Welcome to The Jungle Neon Sign
Channel the OG throwback Brat aka Guns n Roses with this fun neon sign to hang in the entranceway.
Buy now £36.99, Amazon
NYE Party theme: Demure & Mindful
Tanlade 100 Pcs Christmas Paper Plates
If you're going down the buffet or dinner party route, spare yourself piles of washing up in the morning (that's no way to start the new year) with a ready supply of paper plates. In demure pistachio green and gold, natch.
Buy now £22.76, Amazon
Sage Green and Dusty Pink Party Decorations
Pretty, subdued yet still impactful. And made from paper, ergo recyclable. How mindful.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Ginger Ray Gold Foil with Bright Rainbow Poms
Fun cups make drinks taste even better. Ginger Ray's pack of eight comes ready to party dressed up in gold and multicoloured pom poms.
Buy now £4.99, Amazon
Anthropologie Saluti Cocktail Square Cotton Napkins, Set of 4
Give happy hour an extra jot of joy with Anthropologie’s napkin set, made for cocktails. The vibrant set is finished with illustrations of garnishes for popular drinks, so you can pair them with whatever you have, whether a G&T or a dirty martini.
Buy now £26.00, Anthropologie
Moo Deng bauble
A star was born this year. Take Moo Deng's legacy into 2025 with this bauble rendered in her likeness. Requires no further decorations.
Buy now £7.02, Amazon
