In case you forgot, it’s the Roaring ’20s. With everyone’s obsession with all things vintage and eclectic, from home decor to fashion, now is the time to channel that aesthetic and spirit into an epic New Year’s Eve bash that F. Scott Fitzgerald could only dream about.
Committing to a theme like this transports your guests to another era far away from modern worries if only for an evening, giving you the foundation to create the most memorable soiree.
A lot goes into putting together a party that makes people feel like they’re in a different world. From the design of your space to the food that you serve, every detail can enhance the evening. Decorating and event planning experts are here to give you all their best tips for throwing a flawless vintage NYE event.
- Hank Stampfl is the CEO and founder of event planning company Revel Rouge.
- Andy King is the founder of Andy King Events and a sustainable event expert.
- Mercedes Feller is Balsam Hill’s vice president of merchandising.
Setting the Stage for a Vintage Party
Make an Entrance
As soon as your guests step inside, they should feel like they traveled in time. To immediately set the mood, decorate your grand entrance with a photo op: This could be as simple as hanging a banner on a blank wall and flanking it with some flowers. You can also offer a welcome tray with themed cocktails and mocktails to get people into party mode.
Snap Some Photos—the Old School Way
To keep guests present in the moment (and really curate that vintage feel) ask them to stash their cell phones as they come in and provide Polaroids or disposable cameras to take pictures. The images from these cameras are the perfect memento of the evening for you and your guests, and they create an interactive experience.
The Good Brigade / Getty Images
Set a Dress Code
Another way to make your party pics look straight out decades past: Have your guests dress the part! The dress code can be fancy or fun, but Hank Stampfl, CEO and founder of event planning company Revel Rouge, emphasizes the transformative power of clothing to help your guests break loose from the day to day.
“If you really want to take the energy to the new levels, have your invited guests dress in vintage style,” he says. “A wig can add a personality you never knew you had.”
Get Glam with the Decor
Holidays like New Year’s Eve are naturally decadent, so don’t be afraid to be over the top—especially when it comes to your table.
“More is considered not enough in this case when it comes to tablescape—tall lush flower arrangements adorned in velvet bows, taper candle sticks, and textured glassware will help set this tone,” Stampfl says.
These days, you have nearly endless options for sourcing event decor, but for a vintage party, nothing could be more appropriate than shopping secondhand. This allows you to curate an aesthetic that fits your style, and it’s a fun way to get creative.
“Check out your local Goodwill store for silver plated platters, bowls and cutlery,” says Andy King, founder of Andy King Events and sustainable event expert. “If you’re lucky, you may find a linen tablecloth and napkins as well.”
Stampfl agrees, but he acknowledges that sometimes you have to really hunt to find the goods in an antique shop. However, if you don’t have the time or the inclination to scour vintage stores before the holidays, don’t fret: You can find vintage-inspired goods in all sorts of places.
“Some local markets really add a change to available inventory,” he says. “That’s where we live for CB2 and their vast selection of etched and ribbed glassware.”
And just because Christmas has passed doesn’t mean you should move on from the magic of the holiday season. If you want an easy decorating option, Balsam Hill has a whole Roaring Twenties ornament collection that can take you through the New Year.
“The intricate designs will transport your guests back to another era,” says Mercedes Feller, Balsam Hill’s vice president of merchandising. “Extend the look throughout the house by hanging sparkling fairy light curtains on the walls and adding Champagne Glitter Trees. Accent the mantle with our Champagne and Crystal Wreath with matching Garland.”
If you can’t commit to an entire decorating scheme for one night, that’s OK. So often, it’s the little things that take your decorating to another level. Feller recommends sprinkling old-fashioned tinsel on your tree—a touch don’t see much anymore but adds an unexpected dimension of glitz and glam.
Another small yet classic way to add a large impact: balloons! King gathers some LED light-up balloons to act as a key component to his festive decor. A dozen or so can really make a dining room shine. Place a champagne bucket on the center of the table and tie a balloon or two to the handles, and you’ve created an opulent space.
Make it Multi-Sensory
To make guests truly feel like they’ve entered another era, involve all their senses, starting with sound.
“The music is everything,” Stampfl says. “[It’s] so much fun to play with—from live, vintage-style jazz bands to a sultry dancer. In this theme, you have full carte blanche to dive into discovering exciting talent that elevates your next event.”
And of course, no party would be complete without food and drinks. For a vintage-inspired party, old-fashioned cocktails (and mocktails) are the main event. Being based in New York, Stampfl likes a Manhattan and guarantees it will excite and warm up all your guests. The cocktail was invented in 1870 at the Manhattan Club and still holds up to this day. Serve it in a stunning etched martini glass, garnish with Woodford Reserves Bourbon Cherries, and to really wow your guests, top with a flavor blast smoke bubble.
King recommends keeping the food simple: Stick with tried-and-true recipes, especially if you have a big crowd, and pair favorite appetizers like deviled eggs with classic entrees. When it comes to presentation, your serving vessel is as important to a party as the food itself. Who doesn’t love a yummy chocolate mousse served in a wine glass?
Asking for Help
Remember, you don’t have to do everything yourself. If you’re not a great cook, order food or hire a caterer. And even if you do all the prep yourself, think of ways that you can get a little extra assistance during the party so that you can enjoy yourself, too. Hiring a professional bartender and a server can elevate the evening and take away a lot of stress.
At the end of the day, while it’s easy to fixate on the decorations and drinks and details, that’s not what makes your party a good time.
“I will always remember a quote that Julia Childs shared with me: ‘It’s not what you put on the plate that makes for a successful dinner party, it’s what you put on the chair,'” King says. “So make sure to invite a fun group of guests.”
