New Year’s Eve Tablescape & Menu

by Alli

Do you have big plans for New Year’s Eve? I have the perfect menu (down below!) and a tablescape that is simple but elegant. 

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My plans are the same as they’ve been for years – staying home, dozing off, and waking up at midnight to see the old year out. 

I always spend New Year’s Eve with my husband and whatever kid(s) happens to be here and has nothing better to do than hang with us. Not that we’re not cool and hip and all that jazz.

No matter who you’re hanging with, New Year’s Eve always calls for a little glitz, a little glam, some good food, good drink, and good company, even if your company dozes off every once in a while.

New Year’s Eve Tablescape & Menu

New Year's Eve Party

Sequined Table Runner – A Must for A New Year’s Eve Party

I’m in love with my sequined table runner. Sparkling gold always looks glam next to any color, but I’m using a black tablecloth. It really takes my New Year’s Ever Tablescape to the next level. 

I also love this sequined table runner

I plucked that clock right off my wall and realized that thing needed a good dusting. Achoo! My gold photo frame is the perfect backdrop for an Auld Lang Syne print that I found on Pinterest. You can find it here.

If you need a gold frame, this vintage gold frame is amazing! 

New Year’s Eve Family-friendly Menu

  • Shrimp Shooters
  • Black-Eyed Pea Salsa
  • Ham Biscuits with a honey/pepper drizzle
  • Nutella Filled Mini Fillo Shells
  • Sparkling White Grape Juice with Fresh Cranberries

Sparkling White Grape Juice is perfect for toasting a brand new year while waving goodbye to the old. I love these champagne flutes

Helpful Hint: Cranberries add a pop of color and are so festive. You can substitute dried cranberries in place of the fresh in your champagne flutes.

New Year's Eve Party

I really do love my black and gold tablescape. It looks fancy yet it’s so simple to put together. 

New Year's Eve Party

My husband always heads straight to the shrimp shooters. They are so good! The recipe is down below!

New Year's Eve Party

Shrimp Shooters

Shrimp Shooters

New Year's Eve Party

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 lb. large, peeled, cooked shrimp
  • 2/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • 2 Tablespoons lime zest
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • 2-3 dashes hot sauce
  • Romaine lettuce leaves

Instructions

  1. Whisk together all ingredients (except shrimp) in a large bowl.
  2. Add cooked shrimp and vinaigrette mixture in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal and chill for 24 hours, turning occasionally.
  3. Arrange lettuce leaves in glasses and spoon shrimp mixture into glasses.

Did you make this recipe?

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Shrimp Shooters

I’ve had these dessert plates forever (or so it seems). I purchased them at World Market. Sadly, they are no longer available but I found these beautiful white plates with gold pinecone branches that would be awesome for a New Year’s Eve party. 

New Year's Eve Party complete with menu and tablescape

How To Make Hazelnut Tarts

Two-Ingredient Hazelnut tarts are so easy to make. You will need frozen Fillo cups and Nutella. That’s it!

Right before serving, remove Fillo cups from the freezer and add a spoonful of Nutella to each cup. Top with whipped topping, if desired.  Everyone loves these tarts!

New Year's Eve Party

Black-eyed Pea Salsa

This is a southern staple and you’ll find different variations of this tasty appetizer. In the south, it’s a tradition to eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. You can serve this leftover salsa on New Year’s Day or make my Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas.

Find my Black-Eyed Pea Salsa recipe here!

New Year's Eve Party

How To Make Country Ham Mini Biscuits

Oops:  You’ll notice that the country ham mini biscuits are not shown. As I was uploading the photos, I realized that I had left the ham biscuits in the fridge. Dang.

Oh, well, they are so good and simple to make. Use mini frozen biscuits (or use canned biscuits cut down to size with a small, round cookie cutter.) 

If you’d rather make homemade biscuits, my mom has the best biscuit recipe

Bake and slice biscuits and add thin slices of country ham. Serve with Black Pepper Honey.

Black Pepper Honey Recipe

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
  • 2 dashes of hot sauce

Stir together all ingredients in a small bowl until blended. Serve with mini ham biscuits.

New Year's Eve

So, what’re your plans for New Year’s Eve? Hosting? Going out on the town? Staying in and catching some zzz’s? Whatever your plans, I pray that you have a happy and prosperous New Year!

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50 comments

Shirley Wood December 29, 2014 - 6:56 am

Love your tablescape, it’s very pretty. That gold sequined table runner is awesome! The menu sounds scrumptious too!
We generally stay home and doze off on the sofa waking up just in time to see the ball drop then go straight to bed. No fun at all but it’s our tradition 🙂

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Alli December 29, 2014 - 7:12 am

Looks like we have the same tradition, Shirley!

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Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom December 29, 2014 - 7:51 am

Beautiful! I love the Black Eyed Pea Caviar

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Alli December 29, 2014 - 8:17 am

Black Eyed Pea Caviar is such a southern thing, but it’s so delicious. Really enjoyed your post about creating a family budget!

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Rebekah December 29, 2014 - 9:15 am

I love that table runner!

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Alli December 29, 2014 - 10:58 am

Thanks. You can borrow it any time. 🙂

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Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama December 29, 2014 - 9:19 am

Oh, those nutella bites look divine!! I’m headed to YOUR house for NYE!

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Alli December 29, 2014 - 10:57 am

They are almost too easy, but the taste is scrumptious. Come on over!

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Paris at My BIg Fat Happy Life December 29, 2014 - 9:28 am

Your table is beautiful! I am going to have to try your Black-Eye Pea Caviar – I am a fan of black-eye peas and your combination sounds awesome! We always have a buffet of finger foods for New Years.

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Alli December 29, 2014 - 10:57 am

Thanks, Paris! The Black-eyed pea caviar is so easy to make.

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Amy Albers December 29, 2014 - 10:03 am

Everything is so beautiful! I get overwhelmed at the holidays sometimes and think that I need so many complicated things. All your items are simple prep and the decorations look great!

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Alli December 29, 2014 - 10:56 am

Thanks, Amy! By the time Christmas is over, I’m pretty much done with baking, etc. so I’m all about easy. Happy New Year’s!

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Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai December 29, 2014 - 12:28 pm

I usually stay well at home. After being hit by a drunk driver on a Monday afternoon at 4:30, I figure it’s just best for me to stay off the roads on New Year’s Eve. Since my dad is from Mississippi, black-eyed peas were always a must on New Year’s Day, to bring good luck for the whole year. I’ve never been a huge fan of them, but your recipe sounds good…and the peas wouldn’t be mushy. I will definitely have to five this a try! Your tablescape, as always, is beautiful, and i LOVE the Auld Lang Syne print. Thanks you for sharing, Alli, and have a Happy New Year! 🙂

~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai

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Alli December 30, 2014 - 9:33 am

I’m with you, Lorelai, after the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season I’m content to stay home and relax on NYE. I hate that you got hit by a drunk driver. Glad you are OK! If people must get drunk, why don’t they take a cab or have a designated driver?

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Anna @ Northern Homestead December 29, 2014 - 12:29 pm

This looks inviting and yummy! Your menu looks summery to me though. We like Raclette for new years eve. It’s cold here, so indoor grill is just the right thing.

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Alli December 30, 2014 - 9:31 am

I usually have a few hot dishes including a cheese dish, too, and an olive tray, but I was wanting to showcase those 3 recipes. We had 70 degree weather last week and in the south, we serve shrimp all year long. 🙂

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Louida December 29, 2014 - 12:45 pm

Everything looks so beautiful, make me not want to touch it and just drool over everything. My New Years Eve plan is going to Sea World and ringing in the New Year there. Happy New Year Alli!

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Alli December 30, 2014 - 9:29 am

I love Sea World, Louida! I especially love the show where all the animals are from rescue shelters. I’m always amazed at the tricks they perform and could watch it over and over. Have fun!!

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Sarah Sofia Knepp December 29, 2014 - 4:43 pm

I always enjoy seeing what you’ve designed and your trying your recipes! I have to say I haven’t heard of Black Eyed Pea Caviar, but sounds delicious. That Honey Beans sound great too! You’re shrimp shooters are so elegant and I like that you added some greens to the mix! Wishing you a happy & healthy 2015!

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Alli December 30, 2014 - 9:28 am

My husband loves shrimp so I’m always looking for new ways to prepare them. This one is so easy and so delicious.

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KC the Kitchen Chopper December 29, 2014 - 5:23 pm

Gorgeous and so creative. Plus your recipes are perfect for bringing in the New Year. Happy New Year, Alli!

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Alli December 30, 2014 - 9:27 am

Thanks! Happy New Year!!

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Sarah @ Me Plus 3 TODAY December 29, 2014 - 9:25 pm

This is just gorgeous! My husband and I threw a few big dinner parties for NYE in the past, and it would have been great to have had this as a resource while planning! #ibabloggers

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Alli December 30, 2014 - 9:27 am

Thanks, Sarah. I’ve had huge parties in the past, but now it’s usually just a few family members for my NYE buffet.

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Maureen December 29, 2014 - 9:26 pm

Those looks so delicious (will try some of the recipes for sure) and your table arrangements so beautifully done. Wishing you a wonderful New Year! 🙂 Visiting from #‎ibabloggers‬

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Alli December 30, 2014 - 9:25 am

Thanks, Maureen. I always enjoy trying to come up with a new tablescape from shopping my house and yard. 🙂

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Kristen from The Road to Domestication December 29, 2014 - 11:05 pm

So beautiful and elegant, I love it! We toasted with milk and cookies last year with lots of friends at our home. This year we will be literally toasting marshmallows around a fire pit out in the country with lots of friends. I can’t wait 🙂

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Alli December 30, 2014 - 9:24 am

Marshmallows are so much better when toasted over an open fire. Eat one or more for me and have a very happy New Year!

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Susie December 30, 2014 - 5:50 am

The frozen fillo cups and Nutella look delicious. I’ve never seen that before. I’d love to try it next time I have people around. Thank you for such creative ideas!

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Alli December 30, 2014 - 9:23 am

I made them again for this past Sunday dinner. Talk about a fast and easy dessert. No one could eat just one, even the small kids.

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Erlene December 31, 2014 - 12:54 am

What a lovely spread. We’re planning on visiting a theme park on New Year’s Day and staying in on New Year’s Eve to watch all the New Year shows and a movie 🙂

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Alli December 31, 2014 - 8:11 am

That sounds like so much fun! Happy New Year’s!

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crystal December 31, 2014 - 9:47 am

Awesome tablescape…looks like so much fun! I’d love it if you shared this at the Saturday showcase going on now at Bowdabra.com

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Fi Ní Neachtáin December 28, 2015 - 6:09 am

What a beautiful looking spread, everything looks so delicious! The frame with the vintage Auld Lang Syne is just gorgeous. You’ve perfected every detail, so wonderful for ringing in the New Year!

Fiona @ http://www.dollydowsie.com

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Miranda (Myrabev) December 28, 2015 - 8:08 am

Someone please fly me to your house as I need and love your tablescape like wow. I need to try the caviar and the shrimp shooters.

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Mistee Dawn December 28, 2015 - 10:05 am

Great ideas! Beautiful tablescape! And the food! OMG! I have to have some of those hazelnut tarts!

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Alex December 28, 2015 - 10:34 am

All of these look amazing! I wish I could make the shrimp shooters, but my husband is allergic to frozen shellfish. If only we lived closer to the ocean. 🙂 I am definitely going to try the other recipes & I am in love with your table runner! So cute!

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Cat Davis | Mom by the Beach Blog December 28, 2015 - 10:54 am

Those drinks look so delicious. We never really do anything special for New Year’s Eve. Sometimes we’ll just snack on appetizers and make a big pot of chili but it’s so darn hot here that chili is so not the dish to make in this weather.

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Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen December 28, 2015 - 11:55 am

This is so beautiful, I love that it is simple yet festive. And I NEED to try that black pepper honey, I want it on all the things! Right after a shrimp shooter, that is…

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lisa @bitesforbabies December 28, 2015 - 1:39 pm

What a gorgeous tablescape!! I love making ceviche and shrimp salads like this one but I always serve it homestyle! I love the idea of plating them individually!

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Jenn @ EngineerMommy December 28, 2015 - 1:54 pm

Those nutella bites sound so delicious! And that shrimp appetizer is perfect! These are such great party ideas for NYE!

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Mandy December 28, 2015 - 3:57 pm

I would love to be sitting at that table on New Year’s Eve! And I love sparkling grape juice and you make it look so great with the cranberries! It’s gorgeous! Every single bit. Great work!

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Travel Blogger December 28, 2015 - 5:20 pm

Wow! This looks so beautiful! I love the champagne with cherries and the black eyed pea caviar look so delicious. I might have to use some of these ideas!

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Heather December 28, 2015 - 5:20 pm

Oh wow! The black eye pea caviar looks amazing. I want to to give that recip a try. For us, since we have little kids, we’ll be home and let the, stay up as late as they like to ring in the new year.

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Jaime Nicole December 28, 2015 - 5:59 pm

What a gorgeous tablescape! I love floating cranberries in drinks – they liven it right up and look so festive!

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mimi December 29, 2015 - 1:25 am

We’ll likely be spending our NYE like you! Our kids will be here because they are too young to go anywhere else!

Those shrimp shooters look amazing! I think I will create a fun little spread for us since we will likely be home. Something fun for the children, maybe putting sparkling cider in flutes for the babies!

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Jennifer Pritchard Kearney December 30, 2015 - 7:19 am

Oh wow what an awesome selection of goodies for NYE! I’m looking forward to a relaxing party with a small group of friends. Happy New Year!

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Jasmine Watts December 30, 2015 - 9:13 am

Everything is so beautiful and I have to try your Black-Eye Pea Caviar.

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[email protected] January 3, 2016 - 7:10 pm

Awesome idea! Love your menu and your whole setup too! Might do this soon even if it’s not new year’s eve!

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Alli January 6, 2016 - 9:40 am

This menu works for any time of the year. 🙂

Reply

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