New Year’s Eve may seem like a long way off, but it’s never too early to start party planning for one of the biggest nights of the year.
In Scotland - where it’s called Hogmanay - the celebrations start on 31st December like everywhere else, but the party definitely doesn’t end there and in some smaller communities especially, it can last three to five days! You don’t have to throw a three day party for family and friends, but introducing a few Hogmanay traditions to your New Year celebrations can help to make the occasion extra special. So, how do you add some Hogmanay spirit to your party?
Get the tartan out!
Kilts and sporrans are definitely in, but anything tartan goes on Hogmanay. Decorate the party room with some tartan ribbon or bunting, order some tartan napkins, and dig out any tartan tableware you have stashed away. If you can lay your hands on some heather, a few sprigs hung up or placed in vases around the room is a great touch.
Get the music sorted
Download, buy, or borrow some typical Scottish ceilidh music to help get your guests in the mood. Traditional dances like Strip the Willow and the Dashing White Sergeant are great fun and everyone can join in. If you don’t know how, the basic steps are easy to learn, just check out some videos on YouTube.
Get the party invitations out
The best get-togethers take careful planning, so make sure you get your party invitations out as early as possible, with any special instructions included, before people make other plans for New Year’s Eve. Here at Putty Print, we have a great selection of new years eve party invitations which you can customise further for your Hogmanay party.
Words for Auld Lang Syne
Everyone knows the tune and at least some of the words to Auld Lang Syne, but why not print out the lyrics and include them with your party invitations so everyone can sing along? Traditionally, everyone joins hands in a great circle and belts out the song on the stroke of midnight.
And finally…
Hogmanay wouldn’t be what it is without a small dram or two of whisky to toast in the new year at the bells, so make sure you have a bottle of malt or blended whisky to pour everyone a nip. Don’t forget to have a bottle or two of Irn Bru as well, a unique fizzy drink that Scots swear is a fantastic hangover cure!