Start planning now for memorable New Year’s Eve

06/08/2007

A different country around the world observes New Year’s Eve every month of the year. The January 1st observance for western cultures only started 400 years ago. Before then it had been practiced for thousand of years by ancient civilisations such as the Mayans and Egyptians. These older traditions celebrated New Year’s Eve along side heralded astrological or social events such as the Egyptian’s feast of Opet when the Nile was in flood.

Traditional New Year customs celebrated good luck and fertility while reflecting on the year that had been and looking forward to a more prosperous year to come. The customs of the United Kingdom come from the old Hogmanay traditions from Scotland. These customs start with the pagan mid-winter sun and fire worship, which was later joined to the Roman winter celebration of Saturnalia. Saturnalia was celebrated decadently with an abundance of food, wine, and merriment.

In all these old customs music played a key role in getting everyone to have fun and celebrate the day and music is still very important for today’s New Year’s Eve parties. But, some bands are booked two years in advance for the big night so now is the time to get yours booked for New Year’s Eve 2008.

The options are varied. You might want to go the traditional route and have bagpipers or ceilidh bands. You could also have rock, pop, swing or disco for a 20th century party. There are also tribute bands if you have a favourite band you would like to hear throughout the night. Or for a bit of 21st century oomph book a DJ to keep the night pumping.

Don’t forget to pin down who will be your New Year’s Eve kiss. Old English and German folk customs for New Year’s Eve gave special importance to who you kissed at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The gender, appearance and even the occupation of the first person you kissed at New Year was seen as very important. Having your special someone nearby for that New Year’s kiss will make the night even more memorable.

New Year’s Eve parties are a time for revelry, lots of fun and good friends to enjoy the night with. You can make the evening a night to remember if you include lots of decorations and catering. Wow your guests with table decorations, displays, balloons, ice sculptures or indoor fireworks. You can even have games and themed catering to complete the event. Have an elaborate theme continued throughout all parts of the New Year’s Eve party or keep it simple and intimate. Whatever your choice ensure it is a complete event with appropriate decorations, displays, catering and music.

A novel way to spend New Year’s Eve is to take the party around to all your friends’ houses, serving a different part of the meal at each stop. You could hire a chef or catering to follow you around the city. Intimate New Year’s parties with good food, good friends, candles and music are just as enjoyable as the loud, people filled, DJ mixed parties.

New Year’s Eve is always about the fireworks. This stems from the Chinese New Year tradition of using firecrackers to scare away “Nian”, the New Year monster. There are many fireworks providers in London who can provide for any budget and ensure the fireworks go off at the right time. Again, this is a New Year’s Eve party detail that needs to be booked well in advance.

Whatever your plans are for a New Year’s Eve party for 2008 now is a good time to start planning. Be creative and innovative providing your friends and family with a London New Year’s Eve party to remember and cherish.