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How to Create a Sparkling New Year’s Eve Tablescape

Are you hosting a New Year’s Eve party this year? Then you’ll want these ideas to create a gorgeous sparkling New Year’s Eve tablescape.

The holiday season isn’t over yet!

After the excitement of Christmas passes, it’s time to think ahead to the upcoming new year.

Celebrating on New Year’s Eve is one of our favorite parties of the year!

We’re looking forward to saying goodbye to 2021 and welcoming 2022 in with an elegant sparkling party.

If you’re reading this post you probably love to entertain like Anne & I.

And if you do, we know you’ll just love our monthly virtual supper club posts.

Every month we get together with our friends, Stacy, Rachel, Jen, and Michele and share our tablescapes and recipes on our blogs.

It’s super fun to see what everyone in our group comes up with each month, you won’t want to miss it!

There’s so much talent and creativity with this bunch of bloggers.

And to add even more inspiration for you, we now have a guest host join us each month too!

We’re thrilled to welcome Aliya, from Open Doors Open Hearts this month.

You have to go check out her blog, where she’s transforming her ranch into a modern French farmhouse.

You’ll find New Year’s Eve tablescape and hosting ideas from our virtual supper below.

Plus we’ve rounded up some fantastic recipes to serve at a cocktail party.

Get the links to our previous tablescapes for even more inspiration at the end of this post.

If you’re joining us from Aliya, from Open Doors Open Hearts, or if you’re new to our blog…

Hey there and welcome!

We’re AnnMarie (wearing white) and Anne (wearing black), the two moms behind this blog.

We work together to share simple and budget-friendly ideas for decoratingrecipesDIY projects, and tips for life with older teens (and beyond!).

You can read more about us and our families here.

And we would love to learn more about you! Be sure to say “hi” in the comments below and tell me where you’re visiting from.

But that’s enough about us…let’s talk more about this month’s theme… and my New Year’s Eve tablescape!

A Sparkling New Year’s Eve Tablescape

dining table with chairs set for New Year's Eve with clocks, candles and place settings. China hutch on wall beyond table and chandelier above table

In the past, our New Year’s Eve celebrations have been really simple and casual.

A few years all the guests even wore their pajamas to the party.

But that was back in the days when our kids were little and would fall asleep watching a movie long before the clock struck midnight.

Now that our kids are older, they often do their own thing with friends to celebrate.

So, this year I planned a more elegant, sophisticated gathering, and I had so much fun styling it!

For my New Year’s Eve table I wanted to create something different than I usually do…a bit more traditional and a little fancy rather than my go to…neutral modern farmhouse style.

Designing the theme of my centerpiece was an easy concept…counting down to midnight and ringing in the new year.

How to Style a Gorgeous New Year’s Eve Centerpiece

close up view of table runner on dining table with tassels

When I style a tablescape for my dining room, I always start with the centerpiece of the table and work my way out.

The first item I used to create my centerpiece was this pretty grey and gold table runner.

If you checked out my other tablescapes and centerpieces, you may have noticed I often use a long wood tray and washed linen skinny table runners.

Although I love that neutral modern farmhouse look, I was going for a more glamourous vibe for New Year’s Eve.

So, when I found this gray and metallic gold table runner with those beautiful gold tassels at Home Goods, I knew it would be perfect.

New Year’s Eve Party Theme

close up of two clocks in middle of dining table with small votive candles

My vision for the centerpiece came together as I was browsing the aisles in Home Goods and came across this black and brass clock.

Clocks!

That was it!!

I decided to create my NYE table with clocks that could count down the minutes until midnight.

I had the larger red clock stuck in my storage closet because I wasn’t using it anymore in my son’s room.

Wait a minute!

Did I just say red??

Yup…I did!

That clock looked super cute when he was much younger, in his bedroom, when he was into the color red.

But I gave him a much needed teen room makeover a couple of years ago and ditched the red.

A little gold spray paint and that old red clock had a fabulous new purpose in my glamourous centerpiece.

close up of small clock in center piece of New Year's Eve tablescape in dining room

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And since I usually decorate in odd numbers I needed a third clock.

I found this black and gold swivel pocket watch clock in Target for only $15!

It’s a nice size and will be great to use on a desk or nightstand.

metal lantern with sand hourglass inside in middle of table

To add a bit of whimsy to the centerpiece, I added a glass sand hourglass timer that I’ve had for years.

Who doesn’t get mesmerized watching the sand slowly drop down?

I placed the hourglass inside a gold lantern because it just looks so darn pretty in there!

Add Sparkle to a New Year’s Eve Celebration

tall candle stick holders with taper candles arranged in middle of table set for a sparkly new year's eve

No dining table centerpiece is complete without the sparkle of candlelight.

I added my brushed gold candle sticks with white taper candles to the table.

Then mixed in a bunch of gold mercury glass votive candles in between the clocks and taper candles.

I just love the sparkle both the taller and shorter candles provide.

How to Set an Elegant Table

overhead view of place setting with flatware, china, napkin, and placemat on dining table

Since I was setting an elegant table, I wanted to use my china that we got for our wedding a looong time ago.

It’s a shame that I never use it anymore…it’s really beautiful.

The pattern is Urban Lights by Lenox.

Although, you can’t buy it in stores any longer, you can find it on Replacements Ltd.

close up of gold flatware next to place setting

Anne and I recently bought ourselves a set of gold flatware.

It’s a simple style that’s not too traditional but not too modern.

Just right to blend with both of our styles!

I love being able to create tablescapes with gold now instead of always using my silver flatware.

And Anne can style her recipe photos with different cutlery too.

It’s a win-win!

place setting with open weave round placemat under china plates with flatware on each side

The gold paper placemats give the place setting a gorgeous base to anchor everything to the table without it being too heavy.

The open weave gives an airy beautiful pop of color between the white china and table.

And do those napkins look familiar?

Yes!?

When I found that pretty gray and gold table runner I looked for napkins that would coordinate.

Well, not only do they coordinate, they’re actually a perfect match!

I scored both the table runner and a set of six napkins for about $25…not too bad!

two wine glasses on table near place setting with candles lit beyond

I finished each place setting with stemware for the special occasion.

A simple wine glass can be used for wine or water during dinner.

And a champagne flute is a must for a little bubbly just before midnight!

The glassware next to the candlelight adds a bit more sparkle to each place setting.

Count Down to Midnight!

tablescape for New Year's Eve set in dining room at night with candlelight

This elegant sparkling tablescape is ready to wine and dine the night away!

Cheers to a New Year!

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More Christmas Tablescape Ideas from Our Friends

Next up on the tour is our friend Michele from Vintage Home Designs

Be sure to click each of the blog names below the photos to get even more inspiration for your Christmas table.

If you’re a blogger and you’d like to join our virtual dinner club for a month leave us a comment below or contact us here.

If you’ve missed any of our previous tablescape ideas just click the link for even more inspiration:

If you have any questions or suggestions, contact me or leave a comment!

Don’t miss any of our tips, tricks, or stories! We’d love for you to follow us on social media! You can find us on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

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