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Welcoming 2025
Ingredients for the Perfect NYE Party
by Kerri Cooke
A New Year’s Eve party is the most important party of the year. The idea of leaving the baggage of the previous year behind and the promise of a new year and fresh start is irresistible. No wonder we want to celebrate. There are plenty of options for local entertainment if you want to get out into the community and attend a public New Year’s Eve party, but you can have just as much fun at your or a friend’s home. Here are some tips on how to host a New Year’s Eve party to remember.
You can host a murder mystery night or a Great Gatsby-themed shindig, but if running short on time or funds, a cozy dinner where everyone brings a cooked dish is the perfect way to have an intimate night with friends. Nobody can resist a good meal. Sit down and chat about what’s happened in 2024 and discuss your hopes for 2025.
Of course, an evening meal doesn’t have to be formal. Finger foods are also an option. Grab a bag of chips, some cold drinks, pizza and a charcuterie board and your crowd will be just as happy. Chow down while playing various board or party games such as charades. Don’t forget to have an upbeat playlist on standby for a spontaneous dance session or a round of karaoke.
Photo props and party hats are a must have if you want to share your escapades and joy on social media or just have a memory of a good time. Grab a pack of cutouts with 2025 glasses, fake mustaches, top hats, and masks to sport in the makeshift photo booth.
A range of cocktails and champagne are New Year’s Eve party staples. Have fun mixing fruity drinks and have some mocktails or punch on hand for children. And don’t forget the sweets! Pralines, cupcakes and cookies are always appropriate options.
Don’t forget to host a countdown to midnight and set off fireworks or confetti to ring in 2025. You might even want to exchange a kiss with your significant other or that person you’ve been crushing on. If it’s feasible to accomodate your guests, consider hosting a sleepover, especially if there’s a significant amount of drinking involved. Everyone can come dressed in their festive pajamas and catch some ZZ’s when the sleepies hit.
If you’re considering a chill night, national programing always offers New Year’s Eve entertainment. Tune in to listen to your favorite singers and watch the ball drop in New York City. And since we’re in the age of streaming, you can even watch fireworks celebrations around the world as the new year dawns in different time zones. Don’t forget to make your midnight wish!
Party On!
Venue Options for an Array of Events
by Kerri Cooke
To have the perfect party, you must also have a venue tailored to your specific needs. Sure, everyone can host a party at their home, but who wants to clean their living space after a crowd of people trampled through on their way to the bathroom? While there are plenty of event venues in Lake Charles and the surrounding areas, make sure to consider function, size and pricing when choosing a location for your special event.
If hosting a child’s birthday party, a public park can be an ideal location. There’s plenty of room for the children to run and play and a playground nearby for the inevitable after-cake sugar rush. Outdoor picnic tables are easy to wipe, and any food crumbs will quickly be taken away by local wildlife. While there are multiple parks in Lake Charles to host birthday parties such as Prien Lake Park and Millennium Park, don’t forget about Sam Houston Jones State Park in Moss Bluff where kids can explore and see animals and waterfowl up close. Any small park near to your home is a suitable option as well.
Want to surprise your best friend with a baby shower to remember? Baby showers are a celebration of new life with the closest family members and friends. A room that is large enough to fit your crowd but small enough to easily partake in traditional baby shower games will be convenient for everyone. Small and cozy venues, such as Moments in Time in Iowa, combine elegant furnishings with an intimate size to celebrate the birth of that special baby.
Planning a corporate Christmas party? If your company is composed of a vast network of people, you not only have to include employees, but also their plus-ones on event invitations. There needs to be room for a catering area and ample space on the floor for dancing to Jingle Bell Rock. Larger event venues, such as West-Cal Events Center, which has a main room with 14,000 square feet, are ideal options for large-scale events.
If you want the best of both worlds, an indoor and outdoor venue, for a wedding and reception, or any other occasion, Oak Crossing can host your event in a gazebo under oak trees over a century old and offer the 4,200 square-foot TreeHouse for an elegant evening in. Dance the night away with your spouse and your family at this intimate, local venue.
Family reunions are a popular pastime. If you have a large family line, you probably will need an event venue with significant space to accomodate everyone. It’s also important to have amenities such as a good kitchen, since food is a must at any family reunion. Just about every town in SWLA has a building dedicated to hosting local events.
You might want to pick a fancy venue if hosting a quinceañera or bar mitzvah. There are numerous historic venues in downtown Lake Charles which can play host if you wish for a lavish party. From quality furniture to wood floors to unique architectural details, a building with a history will add character to a party and help revelers achieve great memories.
