Setting Up

Create a fresh, welcoming mood by clustering flowers in our clear glass Bosphorus Vases, and place them in the entryway, on the dining table and in the guest bath. Scatter votive candles to create warmth and sparkle throughout the space.

Set out top hats and tiaras for guests to don. Look for inexpensive versions at costume shops, or pull together a collection from a local vintage store. You might also instruct guests to arrive wearing their

own top hat or tiara. With guests sporting these chic accessories, the mood will get more festive instantly.

Opt for classic dinnerware and accents that draw the eye to the beauty of the food. Our Hotel Silver–Plated Charger acts as a neutral backdrop for white or colorful dishes, while still adding a sense of occasion to the meal.

Make sure that you have enough champagne flutes to go around. Have ready–to–toast champagne cocktails set on trays right by the front door so guests have some celebratory bubbly in hand as soon as they arrive.

For a chic twist on the New Year’s toast, gather a mix of classic toasts, plus some of your own original ones (see “Traditions,” below, for ideas, or ask your guests to contribute a toast when they RSVP). Type up or handwrite all the toasts on paper (for extra style credit, use an old–fashioned typewriter!). Cut the paper into long strips, one toast on each, and curl the paper around a pencil. Finally, twist the strips around the stems to decorate the champagne flutes.

Stock up on sparkling wine or champagne, and choose a bubbly cocktail or two to offer guests. Watch our video with mixologist Nick DiLullo of San Francisco’s most stylish supper club, Bix. He gives insider tips on crafting two perfect cocktails: the French 75 and the classic Champagne Cocktail.

Create a music playlist in advance, mixing holiday songs with jazz classics and other personal favorites. Or, borrow from ours!

For more tips on setting a great New Year’s Eve table, watch our video with decorator and celebrity party host Nathan Turner.

Table Linens – Create a unified setting and add rich texture to your table with linen napkins and cocktail napkins, and a coordinating tablecloth.

Bar Tools and Glassware – In addition to champagne flutes, have the proper tools on hand for a variety of mixed drinks. Our Antique Bar Collection includes a cocktail shaker, bar utensils and other essentials. Stock up on our Pinch Martini Glasses, along with double old-fashioneds and highballs, so you can confidently accommodate most any drink request.

Hors D’oeuvres Plates & Bowls – Have stacks of our Clock Plates on hand so that guests can help themselves to appetizers, and use the coordinating dipping bowls for sauces, nuts, garnishes and sweets.

Serveware – Serve fresh oysters, shrimp and crab on crushed ice in our Oyster Resin Bowl. For an easy appetizer that always looks beautiful, arrange fruits, cheeses and crackers on our Chancellor Platter, and finish with our Sentiment Cheese Knives.

Pitchers – Serve one Great White Pitcher filled with ice water for every four dinner guests, and use another in the bar area for large batches of mixed drinks.

Tiered Dessert Stands – Stack a multitude of small sweets in a minimum of table space with our 3-Tiered Hammer Stand.

Ice Bucket – Use our Addison Ice Bucket to chill white wine and champagne at the table, and keep an extra bucket of ice on hand for mixed drinks.