Holidays 2017: New Years

Night Before New Years Eve Party

For the last five years my mother and I have hosted a “Night Before” New Years Eve party at our ranch partly inspired by Jeffrey Katzenberg’s “Night Before” the Oscars party. Though his party is all about raising money for The Motion Picture and Television Fund, ours is more about the avoidance of hosting a big New Year’s Eve bash and all that that entails. The night before the big ball drop doesn’t hold quite the same pressure for off the charts merry making and allows for a quieter, more relaxed friends and family vibe. We’re still celebrating the season and ushering in a New Year with joy and laughter just without all the popping champagne bottles, riotous countdowns and forced smooching. I look forward to it every year and start planning menus and decor early November. This year we chose a traditional red and green color palette, an old school menu of steak roulade and chicken cordon bleu with floating merengues for dessert. We sat all our guests at one long wooden farm table where we could feast and make merry together. Our night before the big night turned out beautifully, from the food to the decorations to the company and there wasn’t one forced smooch all night!

Fresh garlands adorned each chandelier down the long barn aisle.
Lanterns were dressed up with red plaid, greenery and candles setting a warm and inviting tone for guests as they arrived at the big barn doors.
The barn aisle was not only decked out with fresh garlands and wreaths but with these sweet pinecone accents as well.
Hightop tables were placed in front of the horse stalls for cocktail hour socializing.
Hightop tables were placed in front of the horse stalls for cocktail hour socializing.
Festive red napkins were shaped into Christmas trees for a whimsical pop of color atop plain white plates.
Festive red napkins were shaped into Christmas trees for a whimsical pop of color atop plain white plates.
The center of the table was thoughtfully decorated with fresh greens and floating votives.
The center of the table was thoughtfully decorated with fresh greens and floating votives.
Bright red cranberry votives bring color and warmth to the table setting.
Glass votives were filled with holly leaves or cranberries, topped with a candle and placed along the center of the dining table.
The holly leaf votives reminded me of Christmas on the East coast where I are up and holly bushes were plentiful.
Crowd pleasing colossal shrimp with cocktail sauce makes it onto our appetizer menu every year along with cheese and fruit spreads.
Crowd pleasing colossal shrimp with cocktail sauce makes it onto our appetizer menu every year along with cheese and fruit spreads.
The hot chocolate bar is a yearly tradition of the "Night Before" party everyone loves.
The hot chocolate bar is a yearly tradition of the "Night Before" party everyone loves.
All the guests were seated together at one long farm table.
All the guests were seated together at one long farm table.
There was much toasting and laughter throughout the meal.
There was much toasting and laughter throughout the meal.
My mother chose the meringue dessert better known as floating islands.
My mother chose the meringue dessert better known as floating islands.
Our wonderful and generous friend Miss Janice Dayton always brings a beautiful plate of homemade Christmas cookies for the guests to enjoy.
Our wonderful and generous friend Miss Janice Dayton always brings a beautiful plate of homemade Christmas cookies for the guests to enjoy.
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6 Comments

  • Rachel

    Absolutely gorgeous! I love all the “little” details. Your barn is stunning!

    February 9, 2018 at 2:11 pm Reply
  • Megan

    All of your dinners and events look so beautiful!

    February 9, 2018 at 3:19 pm Reply
  • João Vitor Pinto Mendes

    That’s cool, I luv your blog Katherine (Izzie ) is so cool!

    February 10, 2018 at 4:28 am Reply
  • Dedreanna Drost

    I love that you have that special tradition! The decor was gorgeous! I hope your family had a wonderful holiday season.

    February 13, 2018 at 1:30 am Reply
    • Kate

      You are the best actress. I love your character on Grey’s Anatomy. You are so pretty to i would love to look like you.

      February 13, 2018 at 10:14 pm Reply
  • Christine

    I love the barn dinner idea. Beautiful decor. I love the idea of taking the pressure off of New Years Eve

    February 21, 2018 at 2:20 pm Reply
  • Leave a Reply to Dedreanna Drost Cancel Reply


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