It’s an evening of sparkle, great food and great company. As the host of a New Year’s Eve Party, you need to master the art of balancing:
a) enjoying the night
b) making sure all your guests do, too!
New Year’s Eve is all about the bite-sized eats that can last through the night. Unlike a formal Christmas dinner, people expect to move and mingle New Year’s Eve. A mix of sweet and savoury, hot and cold appetizers that can fit on a napkin are best suited for a lively evening. For a full-selection of NYE ideas, find us on Pinterest! We’ve got a whole pinboard of delicious ideas!
As a Vancouver food blog, we’ve scoured the scene and found the best New Year’s Eve foodie tips and tricks so you can host…and still be ready for the toast!
1) Break the bread. We suggest a carbohydrate appetizer to anchor the evening. These types of h’orderves will provide sustenance to guests and sustain them until the end of the night (especially if martinis are involved!) We recommend options that can be whipped up quickly, such that they can be easily replenished, if needed. Here are some of our top picks:
- Cheese bread. Choose a wide sourdough bread and slice diagonally, both ways. Sprinkle with cheese, spring onions, and/bacon bits, and bake until ingredients are melted.
- French fries! Kick off the night with this crowd-pleaser. Bake in the oven before guests arrive and serve in paper cups.
- Bread and Spinach Dip. Dice the bread ahead of time and arrange around a big bowl of dip. With minimal preparation, this can be easily replenished throughout the evening!
2) Crown the cold. Cold appetizers are a fantastic option because you can prep them in advance and roll them out slowly throughout the night. You won’t have to bother pre-heating an oven if you have a few trays of these waiting in the fridge!
- Smoked salmon on a “cucumber cracker.” A little smoked salmon can go a long way! For a decadent addition, spread a layer of cream cheese between the layers.
- Wraps! This festive rendition features cream cheese, cranberries and green onions. You don’t have to bother with precision with this one; we give these bonus points for easy preparation!
3) Charm with charcuterie. Hosts and hostesses are often wary of gourmet cheese and meat for the price-point that they demand, but these items are sure to impress. Instead of laying out rounds of cheese and slices of meat on a cutting board for guests to select, consider pairing a few items and punching them together with a toothpick. It’s a little more time consuming during the preparation, but it defines an easy-to-eat portion size. It will extend the time that people will get to enjoy the luxury items throughout the night!
A signature Vancouver food blog tip: Visit Oyama Sausage Company on Granville Island for the best selection of cured meats! For a international array of cheeses, visit one of four Urban Fare locations in Vancouver.
4) Veg-out! Vegetarian options can be real crowd-pleasers, as both meat and veggie eaters can enjoy them. Don’t be fooled into immediately thinking about crudités (raw vegetables) – there are some really hearty options out there that’ll have the carnivores looking for more!
- Cheese ravioli. With a boiling pot of water, it’s a quick fix to make a big batch of cheese ravioli. Heat up some red pasta sauce and serve in shiny cupcake papers with a toothpick! If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle with a shred of parmesan and a fresh basil leaf!
- Vegetarian spring rolls. Find these in the frozen aisle – we won’t tell! Serve with a sweet chilli sauce.
- Spiced nut mix! Keep this on the table for those who love to nibble. Here’s a perfect opportunity to throw in some festive treats like M&M’s, Lindors, and Ferrero Rochers!
A signature Vancouver Food Blog tip: Visit Ayoub’s for an exotic selction of nuts and dried fruit. Goods are sold in bulk so you can get exactly the amount you’re looking for!
5) Dust with holiday magic. For any party, the little touches bring it over the top. Where you might place garlands or cranberries on your Christmas table, we recommend stars and sparkle for New Year’s Eve. Here are some of our most favourite ways to bring the NYE excitement to the table!
- Stars. Starfruit is a refreshing, bright and pre-shaped option! Look for a golden yellow colour and fragrant scent. At this time of year, you’re sure to find a sugary selection of star-shaped cookies, cakes, and chocolates in your local grocery store!
- Serve in martini glasses! They are perfect holders for your nut mix, candies, or other goodies that will fill the table.
Are you the hostess with the most-ess? We’d love to hear how you steal the night! Leave us a comment below with your recommendations. Happy New Year foodie friends!
