Since Stefan and I got together over a DECADE ago (ack!), we have hosted quite a few New Year’s Eve parties at our house. Most of the time they were quite intimate and casual, and they seldom involved fireworks since Ayla seems to get more and more disturbed by them every year.

The first New Year’s Eve with Mackenzie in the house, we did a fondue feast with little meatballs, chicken bites and various dipping sauces. It was SO excellent; which reminds me that we need to have fondue way more than once a year!

new years eve fondue

This year, we’ll probably do something rather simple with a couple of friends. Maybe a bit of surf & turf and definitely some good wine and champagne to bring in 2012 the right way.

There are all sort of great ideas out there to help you get inspired if you are planning a party, whether it’s large or small. In fact, I started a New Year’s Pinterest Board just for the occasion where I’ve added all sorts of idea to make your New Year’s party a success, from appetizers and drinks to decoration and party ideas. There’s even a few things for the kids (although I’m guessing ours just might sleep through the celebration once again.)

Now if you’re planning something really grand, you might need to resort to transforming your space into something completely new with furniture hire around London or your local area. You can now rent everything from your own DJ equipment to chairs to plates and glasses…and of course have the whole thing catered if you just want to be able to party the night away.

But regardless of whether you’re planning to do everything or nothing, here’s a few ideas to get your mind churning for your New Year’s Eve party this year.

Have a bunch of old CD’s around that you don’t want or that have gotten all scratched? How about turning them into clock deco with these cool printable clock faces?

new years eve deco

Or maybe you’d like to create some personal time capsules to look back at the end of the year, see how you did on your resolutions and just recall how you’ve grown in the past year.

new-years-eve-time-capsule

What ideas do you have for your New Year’s Eve? Are you planning a big event or do you like to keep it simple?