Ideas for Hosting a Dry (Nonalcoholic) New Year’s Eve Gathering

Dry January has become a trend for many people in recent years. After the hustle and bustle of a busy party schedule during the holidays, some feel like it’s a good time to focus on a healthier lifestyle. And another idea that’s been growing in popularity is sober New Year’s Eve parties.

People are choosing alcohol-free celebrations for a variety of reasons, ranging from not having to worry about drinking and driving to supporting loved ones who are trying to maintain sobriety. If you’ve decided to host a nonalcoholic party this New Year’s Eve, we have a few tips we hope you’ll find useful.

Tips for Hosting an Alcohol-Free Party

• Select a theme: Rather than just welcoming a new year, consider coming up with a theme for your party. One that lends itself to this kind of evening is a costume party where people dress as characters from a movie you select, like Pulp Fiction, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, or The Great Gatsby. Other fun themes are a disco night or an ’80s event.
• Spread the word: Put the word out early that your celebration will be alcohol free. That helps ensure everyone understands and can plan accordingly. Some people might opt to attend another party, but others might attend yours, knowing it will be free from alcoholic beverages.
• Hire entertainment: Line up some live entertainment, such as a band, a DJ, a magician, or even an astrologer. If none of these sounds appealing, round up some board games and card games. Having a range of options encourages more people to participate. You might also consider renting or borrowing karaoke equipment. That can be a fun, alcohol-free addition to your party.
• Offer interesting mocktails: Just because you aren’t serving alcohol, that doesn’t mean your beverages need to be boring. Hire a bartender or enlist a few friends who know their way around a bar to help you create a few signature drinks for the evening. Many regular cocktails can be easily modified. If you opt to go with a theme, give your mocktails names that tie into the theme.
• Serve interactive foods: Consider making your appetizers a little more hands-on and fun. Fondue pots filled with cheeses and chocolates are great paired with fruit, marshmallows, pretzels, and vegetables. Another option might be to have a brownie bar or an ice cream sundae table. Getting your guests involved in preparing their own appetizers can help make things a little livelier.

Adopt-a-Word Activity

One final suggestion is to provide everyone with pen and paper and encourage them to join you in adopting a word that motivates them for 2024. This practice, which became popular back in 2006, is a great way to get people talking at your party.

Here’s how it works: Instead of making New Year’s resolutions you likely won’t stick to, come up with one word to fall back on. For example, if you’ve had a tumultuous year with far more drama than you’d like, make your word for 2024 peace or calm. When you feel yourself getting pulled into situations you really aren’t interested in, use your word to remind you of your goal.

Or if you want to make 2024 your time to try new adventures or expand your social circle, adopt the word yes or try. When invitations come your way that you’d typically say no to, remember your word and reconsider.

Peace of Mind in the New Year

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