New Year's Eve Party Ideas & New Year's Eve Party Entertainment Ideas!

New Year's Eve: Ancient Rituals

The celebration of New Year is one of the oldest annual rituals, observed globally for thousands of years by all the ancient civilizations from the Egyptians and Mayans to the Chinese and Maoris.

It is possible to take part in a New Year celebration almost every month of the year as our own western observance of New Year’s Day on January 1st only came into practice around 400 years ago.

Most of the older traditions base their new year around important social or astrological activities; the Egyptians celebrated the feast of Opet during the Nile’s inundation, the Mayan New Year varies, Chinese New Year changes annually with the year of the Monkey starting on January 22nd 2004 for example, while the Celtic celebration of Samhain is held around Halloween.

Did you know? The first people to make resolutions were the ancient Babylonians over 4000 years ago, in the belief that whatever they did on the first day of the year would affect their entire year.

The ancient Babylonian New Year was dated to the first new moon (visible crescent) after the vernal, or spring, equinox (usually March), so if you need an excuse to party, Alive Network can offer a whole year of new and unusual opportunities!

Most New Year celebrations incorporate the ideas of fertility and good luck with reviewing the past year whilst hoping for a better year ahead. The customs we follow in the UK stem mainly from old Scottish traditions of Hogmanay, whose roots date back to the pagan mid-winter practice of sun and fire worship which later linked with the Roman winter festival of Saturnalia, a decadent and uninhibited feast of food, wine and fun.

New Year's Eve Traditions

First-footing

If you stay at home, make sure that the first person over the threshold after midnight is a tall, dark, handsome man, preferably carrying coal, bread and whiskey! This is the Scottish tradition of First Footing and ensures good luck, health and wealth for the coming year.

Blondes and red heads are considered bad luck, stemming from the fear of rape and pillage by the fair haired Viking invaders!

New Year's Eve Kissing

In English and German folk belief, special significance was attached to the sex, stature, appearance, complexion and even the occupation of the first person one encountered in the New Year, and over the years we have taken this one step further and made a tradition of kissing a special person (or whoever’s closest to hand) immediately as the New Year is ushered in. So get stuck in and have a very Happy New Year!

A Smashing Time

In Denmark, people will collect their broken or unbroken crockery and then at the chime of midnight, smash them against your friends' front doors to symbolise lasting friendships! (Then give them a hand clearing up the mess...)

More about New Year's Eve >

New Year's Eve Party Ideas

If you're prepared to travel it's well worth a visit to Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations!

Because most pubs and restaurants get rammed to the rafters, many people prefer to throw a private party. If you hire a venue it pays to book well in advance, (12 months or more!)

To find a venue try www.venuefinder.com

It's also important to recognise that people expect something a little special on New Year's Eve so don't be afraid to go all out. Check out the Party Themes box below for some great party ideas.

Throwing A Private New Year's Eve Party

It's good to ensure there are plenty of attractions to keep guests talking & mingling so you could also consider casino tables which can create a space for guests to meet, mix and break the ice. Also check out our mix and mingle acts who will work the floor & get people talking.

NYE Entertainment Suggestions >>>

Live Music

For a rocking party, you could book a live band. “Ceilidhs” are perfect for NYE parties and work well with the Scottish Hagmanay theme. Hire a band with a caller to shout out the dance moves and you’re away!

Other popular choices include rock and pop function bands, rat pack / swing bands, soul bands or rock n roll/swing jive bands to keep your guests dancing all evening long.

Also traditional for the strike of midnight, book a Bag Piper!

NYE Live Music Suggestions >>>

Fireworks & Event Suppliers

It's now become traditional to set off fireworks at midnight on New Year's Eve. Alive Network can arrange a professional fireworks show from around £1500 or you can buy DIY firework kits from these recommended suppliers: www.dragonfire.co.uk , www.spectacularfireworks.co.uk,www.celebration-fireworks.co.uk, www.phoenixfireworks.co.uk,www.epicfireworks.com , www.fireworkscrazy.co.uk,www.starfireworks.co.uk

We also have a number of fab suppliers that can provide your event with a bar in the back of a campervan or hire a chocolate fountain which can erupt at midnight!

NYE Event Supplier Suggestions >>>