How to Plan a Fabulously Memorable New Year’s Dinner

You'll have something to look forward to after the holiday hoopla is over.

By

Lisa Kanarek

 
Published December 19, 2024
friends, gathering, drinking, eating, fellowship, dog waiting, illustration
Michael Parkin

Now that the holiday hoopla is over and your house is no longer filled with your grown kids and their children, it’s natural for the quiet to evoke a bit of loneliness. Combine that with the end of the year, sparking many of us to feel nostalgic and reflective.

What better way to fill the emptiness and bring more joy into your life than by getting your friends together to share a meal? A few weeks ago, after my last holiday guest left, I started planning a Friendsgiving New Year’s bash and asked friends who are seasoned party hosts to share their proven strategies for a successful event.

Don’t Assume Someone Can’t Attend

“Throw out a wide net to friends, even though you think they may be busy,” says Lori Little Wolf, from Dallas, Texas, and a veteran Friendsgiving host. Indeed. Figure out how many people you want to have at your table, couples or only girlfriends, then invite your top 10 or 12 or 16. State in your Evite that you need an RSVP by a certain date, and if regrets come in, you can invite others to meet the crowd size you desire.

Though at this time of year, when people are deflated and want to be inflated by the company of friends, don’t be surprised if everyone on your original list sends back an enthusiastic “yes!”

And, even if someone declines your invitation, she will know that you value that friendship.

Provide an Estimated Meal Time

Be flexible, but give your guests an idea of when you will serve dinner. Not everyone will want to stay up until midnight, while others may make plans for later in the evening. Also, if friends live close by, they can make plans to carpool.

Your Home Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Your home doesn’t have to resemble the photos in a design magazine, perfect and pristine. When I was a professional organizer, friends were reluctant to invite me to their homes. At first, I was insulted, but then a friend admitted that she was embarrassed about her messy house. I assured her I planned to focus more on the dessert than the decor.

Request Your Guests’ Favorite Dishes

Plan on providing the main dish, and then assign “your favorite” appetizers, side dishes and desserts. People love to show off their culinary skills, particularly if they are only responsible for one menu item and can focus on assembling that.

My go-to dish for any dinner party is my mom’s delicious flan. It’s not your typical dessert, though guests often ask for the recipe. You may even ask guests to share recipes for their dishes online once they get home. And you never know — this assembly of good friends and good food may lead to Friendsgivings every few weeks throughout the year.

Don’t Worry About Fancy Plates and Silverware

If you don't own enough place settings for the number of guests you’ve invited, mix and match, with mix and match napkins. Or, make the event easier on yourself for clean-up, by using disposable biodegradable plates, cups, and cutlery. There are plenty of sizes and price points online of sturdy palm leaf and bamboo styles. (Order a value pack of 50 for the best bargains.)

Finish Cooking Before Everyone Arrives

My mom always made a point of having the food ready before guests rang the doorbell. I thought her pre-meal game plan was excessive until I started entertaining and was stuck in the kitchen while everyone else was mingling and having fun. I have found that much of the cooking done before friends arrive does free you for time to engage with them.

Keep it Low-Key

If you tend to micro-manage events, this is the perfect night to take a break. Let conversations between old and new friends evolve organically. Relax, have fun, and the party will be relaxed and fun. Your demeanor will set the tone for the event. No one wants to be served by a jittery hostess!

Offer Non-Alcoholic Options

One night, three years ago, I gave up drinking. Actually, alcohol turned on me, leaving me with a stomach ache and a pounding headache. I used to feel uncomfortable being the only one at dinner without a drink in front of me. I’ve changed my attitude, especially with the wide variety of mocktails available. So, pick up a bottle or two of sparkling cider and a six-pack of non-alcoholic beer.

Add a Little Sparkle and Fun

Surprise your guests with something special. Leave inspirational messages at each place setting or greet your friends at the door with a tiara. Play games like “One Truth and Two Lies.” Hand out notecards and ask everyone to list one truth about themselves and two things that could be true but aren’t. You may not need any games, but it’s good to have them ready, just in case. (One party-pleaser a friend likes to play is to have each guest confess, “One thing that could be a bit naughty that would surprise us about you.”)

So, throw a Friendsgiving early in 2025, an event you get to control and get to hand-pick the guests — such a peaceful relief from a crowded party scene. You’ll avoid stiff conversations, enjoy a variety of dishes, and, best of all, you can state “casual dress” and celebrate in your comfortable flip-flops anytime of the year.

 

Have you ever hosted a Friendsgiving? Let us know in the comments below.

Lisa Kanarek is a Dallas-based freelance writer, author, and end-of-life doula whose work explores family, relationships, grief, and resilience. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, and more. She’s the author of several books on home office life, including Working Naked and Organize Your Home Office for Success. Lisa has been a guest on national programs such as Good Morning America and CNN Financial News. As a certified end-of-life doula, she supports hospice patients alongside her therapy dog, Gaia. Her deeply personal essays often reflect on legacy, kindness, and connection—including her father's survival of Auschwitz.