Family new years eve party: how to please everyone (including yourself)

We’ve all been there. Throwing a big family party on NYE always seems like a good idea at the time. But prepping food and drinks for everyone, from toddlers to old timers, can feel like an impossible task. 

But it is possible. And you don’t have to lose the wow-factor either. Because, really, the key to crowd pleasing is keeping it simple. 

By simple we don’t mean boring, but there are some simple tricks you can pull that will make simple fridge staples, and basic ingredients have a little extra sparkle. Whether you’re five, fifteen or fifty. 

At Eager we believe in less is more, so we’ve compiled a list of party-perfect food and drink ideas, recipes and hacks that’ll keep everyone in the family happy. 

Something for everyone drinks

Exciting, fun party drinks don’t have to contain alcohol. It might have been the rule at parties past that the cocktails only came with extra christmas spirit, but these days many of us are drinking less, or even going teetotal, so it’s important to provide fun, interesting drink options for everyone, not a warm fruit shoot for the kids.

Keep the bells and whistles, just lose the alcohol. Here are some solid crowd pleasers that don’t rely on the hard stuff:

Non-Alcoholic Candy Cane Peppermint Julep

Give the kids, and probably most of the adults, something they’ve not tasted before. A drink that tastes just like candy canes. The tingling peppermint and tangy cranberry juice combo in this festive twist on the classic mint julep will look great on the home bar.

Add 2 tbsp of peppermint syrup to the bottom of a glass, pour a good amount of crushed ice on top, then top with cranberry juice and ginger ale. Simple as that. Oh and you can add a sprig of fresh pine and a candy cane stirrer for extra festive brownie points. 

• Ice
• 2 tbsp of peppermint simple syrup
• 70ml Eager cranberry juice
• 70ml ginger ale
• A sprig of fresh pine (or fresh mint)
• Candy cane stirrer

Festive fruit cup

There’s nothing that says party more than a huge fruity punch bowl. This alcohol free festive fruit cup looks great, and is so easy to make the kids could do it themselves. 

Grab your fanciest bowl, a ladle and some cute cups that will make the kids feel ‘fancy’. Combine cranberry juice, pineapple juice and crushed ice in the bowl, then add sparkle by topping up with sparkling water. Throw in some seasonal berries, sliced limes and mint leaves to give it ‘cocktail’ feels. 

That’s it. The kids (and the adults) will love it, and the extra fizz will keep them away from the soft drinks.

• 1l Eager cranberry juice 
• 450ml Eager pineapple juice
• 2 cups ice
• 1.5l soda water
• 2 cups fresh berries
• 1 lime thinly sliced
• 1 bunch mint

And finally, one simple cocktail that’s strictly ADULTS ONLY:

Christmas clementine margarita

Drinkers rejoice! Here’s a simple short drink that’s warm, zesty, festive, and as it’s based on orange juice, guaranteed to please most people’s tastes. Who doesn’t love orange juice?

Add the triple sec and tequila into a cocktail shaker or bottle with ice and shake to combine. Combine the sugar, salt and clementine zest on a side plate and dip the rims of margarita glasses (or tumblers), until they are well coated. Then top up with the orange juice and lime juice. Et voila! Stir and serve.

• 100ml tequila
• 50ml triple sec
• 50ml cold water
• 50ml Eager orange juice
• 50ml lime juice 

For the salt rim:

• 1 tsp golden caster sugar
• 1 tsp sea salt flakes 
• 1 tsp orange zest

The finishing touches

Even simple parties need a bit of planning. Here’s how to ahead of the game and limit the stress in the couple of hours/days before everyone arrives:

Don't worry too much about decorating

Use your drink and food offerings to help give your home that party feel, string a grazing table with fairy lights and use the drinks garnishes to help decorate the bar. You’re probably still rocking your xmas decorations, so they can do most of the work for you. It’ll look great.

Go self-service

Remember, a self service bar with punch bowls and grazing boards will give you time to relax and enjoy the party too. You put the effort in, after all! 

Plan ahead

Order your drinks and juice ahead of time and store them away somewhere safe until just before party time. Eager juice can be ordered online, delivered to your door, and unlike a lot of other high-quality juices, can be stored anywhere, so is perfect for party prep.

And finally, remember, the most important part of hosting a party for your family is the family bit. Getting everyone together is the real magic, all the food and drink you provide are happy extras. 

Happy festive season from all at Eager.