3 Tips for Hosting a New Year's Day Open House Party

1. Fresh and Fruity:

An easy and entertaining trick to engage your guests is by setting up a Make-Your-Own (M.Y.O.) bar on a kitchen island or dining station. My personal favorite M.Y.O. Bar for the occasion is the Bloody Mary Bar. Or celebrate in style by pairing sparkling wine with a M.Y.O. selection of purees in strawberry, pear, citrus or other fresh fruit flavorings. If you need some assistance, be sure to check out my how-to video for a successful Bloody Mary Bar.

2. Lady Luck:

Black-eyed peas can do more than flavor your favorite roast. According to Southern tradition, black-eyed peas can bring luck and prosperity when eaten on New Year's Day. This folklore is seen in many different cultures dating back to the Babylonian Talmud. Why not follow in the footsteps of generations past and ensure a year of good luck? Check out my recipe remix on the classic for an added spice to your holiday!

3. Wish Upon A Tree...?:

As we all know, a New Year's resolution can be hard to maintain. We say it with conviction in the heat of the moment then we forget it almost instantly, that is, until swimsuit season throws you back into high gear. So why not put that wish on paper and make it official? Guests can write their wishes for the New Year (personal, global or otherwise) and hang it on a holiday wreath or reuse your Christmas tree for added festivity. Another option is to create your own display with a recycled cardboard wishing wall, tree branch or another natural resource.