Cheap, Smart New Year's Eve Party Ideas

Want to live greener on less green in 2011? Start with your New Year's Eve party.

By Gloria Dawson

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new years eve, new year's eve, party, party goods green cheap new year's eve party The easiest and cheapest way to get enough seating for your guests is to borrow from your neighbors (this might mean you'll need to invite them to your party, so be prepared). If you still need more supplies, try renting them from a party supply store. You can get glasses, china and tablecloths as well. If you're going the disposable route, try some eco-disposable options. BiodegradableStore.com has a plate made from sugarcane, an annually renewable resource. At $6.95 for a pack of 50, the price is pretty sweet too. Green Party Goods has great options for festive napkins, or take a look at Plum Party's eco-supply section.

Invites

someecards, invites, new year's eve, new years eve, party Someecards New Year's Eve invites. Keep it simple and free with an e-vite or e-card. Find "cards" at Evite or MyPunchbowl. Try Someecards if you want to get hilarious responses.

BYOB

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Tell guests to "Bring Your Own Bubbly" (or box of wine) to share the cost of the shindig. Try a bottle of from our list of organic sparklers, and boxed wine .Tell your guests it's a green theme; they'll be surprised how many drink options are available.

Decor

decorations, confetti, new year's eve, soy candles, recycled coasters New Year's Eve decor To spice up your place on the (green) cheap, try biodegradable crepe paper streamers, recycled rubber star coasters and soy candles to set the mood. Empty wine or champagne bottles can be used as candlestick holders or vases. Try DIY confetti with scrap paper, newspapers or used holiday gift wrap: Just grab some scissors or a hole punch and cut away. For another option — and one that is easier on your fingers — try these awesome shredder scissors by uncommongoods.

Easy Appetizers and Desserts

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Your guests will probably be coming later in the evening, so you don't need to serve a big meal — appetizers and desserts should do the trick. These are all inexpensive and pretty easy to make. By our estimation, each dish is under 12 bucks for 10 servings.

Appetizers
Goat Cheese with Honey Dip
Quick Veggie Dip
Swiss Cheese Onion Crostini
Hush Puppies

Desserts
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes
Candied Walnuts
Deep Chocolate Coffee Brownies

After Midnight

champagne, new year's eve, hangover cure Empty champagne bottle. New Year's Eve Party When the last drop of champagne has been drunk, you might need to give your guests another form of hydration. Sending them off with a hangover cure — an inexpensive parting gift of a reusable water bottle filled with tap water and an Emergen-C packet — ought to do the trick. They'll thank you in the morning.