5 things you need for a New Year's party tablescape

Impress your guests with your fabulous decorating skills this New Year's when you create a stunning tablescape for your party.

A great party requires a great theme, and New Year's is no exception. Use your theme to set your colour scheme so that you can coordinate everything perfectly. Great New Year's themes could include silver and gold, time or something wintry. Whatever you choose, make sure you can make or buy the right accessories.

The food you serve on your tables is also very important. Party foods should be easy to eat while mingling. Cake pops, petit fours and cupcakes are good choices for sweet treats, but don't overlook individually portioned trifles and puddings, especially if they match the colours in your theme.

For added drama and sparkle, don't forget to embellish food with edible glitter in colours that match your theme. Also, do not feel compelled to stick to party foods for your bash. Favourite foods in individual portions are fine as long as they are easy to eat while mingling. Popcorn, chocolate-covered fruit and pretzels are all simple foods that can be displayed to create an amazing look on your table.

Serve drinks such as champagne and wine in glasses adorned with accessories that help you carry out the theme. For example, if your theme colours are gold and silver, use sparkly silver and gold swizzle sticks in each glass. For other beverages, opt for non-traditional drinking containers including glass milk bottles or even glass jars. You can even fill them with cocktails coloured to match your table décor for a fun look.

Party horns and confetti are standards at any great New Year's Eve party, so be sure to include plenty at each table. Add sweets to each table in fun glass containers or coloured boxes to add more detail to the tablescape while offering guests something sweet to enjoy while mingling. Include mints so that any New Year's kisses will be extra enjoyable for your guests.

Try to create an appealing look by varying the height of items on the table. For example, use food as a centrepiece raised on a covered box or vase. Stagger items of varying height around the table to create an interesting flow that is easy on the eyes.

Impressive decor does not have to be stressful. Just enjoy your party and your guests will, too.