New Year's Eve Party Ideas: Make fun and have some fun too!

Husband and I host quite a few parties, but one that we never have hosted is New Year's Eve party.  For the most part, it has to do with the fact that either we were living in another country away from family OR that we are WITH family and not really doing anything outside of enjoying the love of our loved ones.

But I do know about hosting, and what I know about New Year's Eve parties is this - you wanna have fun with your guests.  You don't want to be the one slaving away in the kitchen while your guests are footloose and fancy free and enjoying themselves without you.  And truthfully, although the food is important, your bubbly presence is just as essential for throwing a great party.  New Year's Eve parties also tend to mean that people stop by, drop by, swing by at various times.  This means, the food has to be easy, make ahead, grazeable (it can stand up to room temp and hang out for a while without being gross) and self-serve to make it the most fun for you.  Depending on the guests at your party, you also want it to be fairly kid friendly.

If your guests are anything like mine, they will want to bring something.  My choice for most people to bring?  Drinks.  I usually like to control the entire menu (my control freak personality) while my guests just bring the drinks to share.  But feel free to divide up the work amongst many so that it is less work for you.  Because, the key is to make sure that you can get out and have some fun too.  Here are some fun and easy menu ideas that you might want to consider.

Noodle in the New Year Menu
Drinks
Beer and wine

Dishes
Spicy Sesame Noodles 
Sesame Noodles
Korean Style Non Spicy Ribs
Korean Style Spicy Wings

Dessert
Mochi Cake

Nosh and Graze into 2012
This menu does require that you tend to it a bit more, going back and forth and making fresh batches of stuff, but you can make all the components ahead of time and then just put them together.

Drinks
Whatever the guests want to bring you!

Grazing
Brie Pancetta Arugula Crostini
Caramelized Onion and Gorgonzola Tart
Sweet and Sour Glazed Wings
Sesame Orzo Salad with Chicken and Apricots
Hot Artichoke Dip (done in ramekins, so that you can continually make up a fresh batch)
Cheese, Salami, Cracker Plate

Dessert
Everything Cookies
Mochi Cake


Chili and the Fixin's Menu
Drinks
Margaritas, beer, non-alcoholic beverages

Appetizers
Chips and Salsa
Guacamole
Michigan Caviar (best made a day or two ahead so it can really chill)
Spinach Dip

Main
Turkey Chili
Salt and Pepper Wings

Dessert
Ice Cream
Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt