new years party with sparklers

How to Host New Years

Ring in the New Year with the help of Watergardens, festive party ideas for an unforgettable celebration!

New Year's is the perfect occasion to celebrate fresh beginnings with friends, family, and a lot of sparkle. Whether you’re planning an intimate get-together or a full-on bash, these tips will help you host a party to remember — and everything you need is right at here in our stores!

 

Set the Scene with a Theme

Choosing a theme for your New Year’s party sets the tone, enhances the atmosphere, and creates an event that your guests will appreciate. Here are our top picks; 

  • Glitter and Gold: Think metallic streamers, gold balloons, and glitter everywhere.
  • Around the World: Set up theme representing different countries, even ask your guests to bring a dish from their own country to share. It’s a fun way to experience global New Year’s traditions.
  • Roaring '20s Masquerade: Channel Gatsby-style elegance with black, gold, and feathered decor.
  • Decades Party: Let guests dress in their favorite era, from the '60s to the '00s, and play music to match.

Shop for the perfect party essentials including balloons, costumes, and decorations, to make your theme come alive at Lo Costa House & Party.

 

New Year, New Look

New Year’s fashion is all about making a statement and welcoming the year ahead with style! As the host, your outfit sets the vibe for the night—here’s a quick guide to what’s trending this year.

Glitter and sequins are always a go-to for NYE. Think metallic dresses, shimmering blazers, or sparkly accessories from Seed Heritage and City Chic to stand out. While black, silver and gold are traditional, bold colours like rich red and neon lime prints are making waves at Forever New and Taking Shape offering a striking way to make a statement. Textures like feathers or fringe can add to your look with movement and fun.

Complete your outfit with eye-catching accessories like statement earrings, bold necklaces, or glitzy headbands from Lovisa. Don’t forget to pair with a sleek statement clutch from Colette! Opt for stylish but comfortable shoes, since dancing is a big part of the celebration. Platform heels, glittery flats, or even stylish boots at Spendless Shoes can add that extra bit of sparkle.

For the gents, think vibrant palm leaves or even ocean scenes from YD and Jay Jays, a great way to stand out while staying stylish. Pairing a tropical shirt with sleek tailored pants or dark chinos from Connor and Tarocash can balance the casual vibe with a more refined look, making it perfect for a party atmosphere. Add the finishing touches like stylish sneakers or loafers from JD Sports, to keep the look polished yet festive!

new years

 

Delicious Drinks & Delectable Bites

Let your guests nibble to their heart's content by creating grazing boards filled with flavoursome cheeses and specialty deli meats from Lucia's Euro Deli and fresh fruits from San Andres. For a little something special, check out Cedar Bakery and The Nut Bar to discover delectable gourmet snacks. 

Desserts are always a crowd-pleaser and perfect for any celebration. Think cupcakes from The Cupcake Queens, doughnuts from Walkers Doughnuts, or a special celebration cake from The Cheesecake Shop. These sweets are sure to satisfy every craving.

You can choose convenience with disposable paper plates, cups, and napkins, which makes cleaning up easy, check out Home Explorer's colour range and fun designs. Alternatively, now's a great time to invest in new homewares like elegant plates and platters from Salt & Pepper or stylish glassware from Zoe's Kitchen which can elevate your event and be reused for future gatherings.

Create a cocktail bar with recipes and ingredients for cocktails or mocktails, we recommend stopping by Dan Murphy's and BWS for trending mix options or convenient pre-mixed selections. Pick up champagne or sparkling juice for the midnight toast, and don't forget to grab cocktail mixers and garnishes.

new years
 

Keep the Vibe Going

Set up a DIY photo booth with themed props and a fun backdrop to keep the memories rolling all night long. Stores like JB HiFi offer an incredible selection of content creator gear and use a fun print tablecloth as a backdrop from Kmart to get your setup just right. Think festive hats, silly glasses, and 2025 signs — Big W and Better Home have plenty of fun options to choose from! For an extra special touch, create a photo wall or board where guests can pin their photos or Polaroids from the night. It’s a fun way to share memories and relive the celebration.

Spark plenty of laughs with games at your celebration, they’re a perfect way to break the ice and keep guests entertained. Timeless games like Twister and Charades are a guaranteed hit, you can find these classics at Toymate for a night of nostalgia. You can stay on theme and be creative by having guests anonymously write down their New Year's resolutions, then take turns guessing who wrote each one. Create your own resolution box with stationary supplies from Typo, including a stylish jar or box, fancy paper, and fine-tipped pens.

Music keeps the energy high. Create a playlist that builds up excitement as midnight approaches. Better yet, ask guests to send their favourite songs in advance for a personalised mix. 

new years

 

Countdown Magic

A thrilling countdown is a must! Create anticipation by setting up a large countdown clock or timer. You can find fun, decorative clocks at Manchester Collection to mark the final moments leading to midnight.

As the clock strikes midnight, light up the sky with sparklers from Woolworths creating a glowing display. Keep the volume up with colorful noise-makers, fringed whistles and party horns, available at Big W, as you count down to the big moment. Party poppers from Kmart are perfect for adding a burst of confetti and cheer as you ring in the new year.

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Create your shopping list, gather your party essentials and get ready to kick off the celebrations. Let's toast to new beginnings with a bang!

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