Looking for an alternative to the crowded New Year’s Eve bar scene?

Look no further than your own condo! Hosting an intimate New Year’s gathering means no waiting in line for over-priced drinks, no cover charges, no stumbling home in the cold. You set the mood and the guest list, then stock the bar with your favourite bevies.

As 2015 draws to a close, we talked to three local party planning experts to gather these tips on entertaining in style, even in a small space.

1. Clear away clutter. Before you decorate, put away breakables like glass vases and move out extra furniture like desks or bookcases to give your guests more space. “It's about minimizing the chances of something being knocked over or going missing,” says Aidan Henry, owner and creative director of Victoria-based Brink Events. Heidi Barlow-Lee, owner of Victoria-based HBL Events, suggests asking to store furniture with a friendly neighbour (whom you can also invite to the party). Otherwise, stash extra items in a bedroom (with the door closed), a condo storage unit or even your car if it has the space.

2. Deck the halls. For sophisticated winter décor, Henry suggests decorating in white and silver with hints of icy blue. “You can do it with fake snow and silver,” he says. “It’s a classy way of doing Christmas décor.” Aysha Ozcetin, owner of Victoria-based Top Notch Parties, suggests creating a festive décor with battery-operated lights on a large plate or a clear vase with small glass ornaments.

   Space is likely at a premium, so Barlow-Lee suggests focusing your décor around one “wow” element. One potential concept is hosting a silent disco. “I would dress up my space with a very cool disco ball, make use of dim lighting and add some sparkle for that celebratory feeling,” she says. Another idea is hosting a “living wall” in your hallway where you provide pens and sticky notes so your guests can write notes about the year they’ve had or the year ahead as they’re chatting or waiting for the washroom. 

3. Stock the bar. Beer, wine and a signature cocktail or two is much simpler than a full bar, according to Henry. That way you also don’t need extra mixers, ice or specialty glassware. For a New Year’s Day brunch, consider a mimosa bar with fresh juice and sparkling wine. If you’re serving drinks from bottles or cans, then Ozcetin recommends having a container labeled for empties. “If you have empty bottles, cups, dirty plates scattered around the room, it doesn't matter how much time you spent on dressing up your condo, your space will not look festive,” Ozcetin explains.

   Also stock nonalcoholic options like soda and sparkling water. To make sure your guests don’t drink and drive, keep the number for a service like DriverSmart Designated Drivers at the ready.

Donut Station by Toque Catering

4. Plan your menu. Even for an intimate condo party, it might be worth hiring a caterer or private chef so you can enjoy the festivities rather than slaving away in the kitchen. “If you're throwing a party, why don't you get to enjoy it?” Henry asks. If you decide to self-cater, Barlow-Lee suggests simple, fun food themes like a waffle station, a self-serve donut station, a taco bar or a soft pretzel bar.

   Most condos don’t have a formal dining room, so finger food makes the most sense. “Place food in different spots in the party room so that the guests don't have to wait around one crowded table to get a bite,” Ozcetin adds. If you’re a frequent party host, Ozcetin suggests buying two or three-tiered platters. “These can be used in your kitchen to keep your fruits or spices when not used for parties,” Ozcetin says. “In small places, using vertical space is the key.”

5. Set the mood with music. Music is a must for any good party. If you’re going with Barlow-Lee’s silent disco idea, you can “choose a decade of music to focus on or countdown the top 40 of the year and ask your guests to dress in these themes.”

   Or if you’re not focusing on a particular theme, “at the very least, you’ve got to come up with a good playlist or if you've got satellite radio, good channels,” Henry says. If you’ve got the space and your building is relatively sound-proof, you could even have live music such as a jazz trio or acoustic guitarist.

However you plan to celebrate, here’s wishing you a safe and fun-filled new year!