New Year’s Eve Tablescape

How was your year? For me, personally, 2021 was so much better than 2020. It was a breath of fresh air after how discouraging 2020 was. I mean, do you remember 2020? (To be honest, I try not to). I found myself missing getting to be around people more than I ever thought was possible! It really sucked the life out of me, and if I had to guess, I’d say I’m not alone in that. Now that we’re slowly starting to get back on our feet, the New Year seems like the perfect opportunity to celebrate that not-so-little victory.

We want to help you kick off this new year with a party to make up for all the New Year’s Eve parties you missed in 2020. I know we can’t all be in New York for that iconic and magical ball drop, but this year you don’t have to be–we’re bringing the New York City Ball Drop right to your table. Get together with friends and family and let the festivities begin! Introducing our newest New Year’s Eve Tablescape!

Bringing the New York City Ball Drop to You

The inspiration for our New Year’s Eve tablescape theme was, naturally, the iconic New York City Ball Drop! It just seemed like the perfect theme for our New Year’s tablescape. I mean, who doesn’t love that Ball Drop? The problem is, not all of us can travel to New York City to watch it in person. That’s why we wanted to bring the New York City ball drop to you through this nostalgic, bite-sized rendition.

Our New Year’s Eve Tablescape

We’re thrilled with the way our New Year’s Eve tablescape turned out! There’s something about those vibrant colors against the bold white and blacks of the buildings that’s so joyful, hopeful and indicative of the wonder to come in the new year. And we all need a little hope, don’t we? This tablescape is the perfect way to celebrate fresh starts, anticipate the good to come, and enjoy the warmth of loving relationships.

Centerpiece

For the centerpiece of our New Year’s Eve tablescape, we decided to go with a show-stopping printable cityscape, complete with the Ball Drop. Our designer, Garet, is to thank for the amazing cityscape design. Those vivid colors contrasted with the stark, New York cityscape was a bold choice, and one that had a dazzling effect when paired with that sparkling ball. You can find the template for our cityscape centerpiece here! We also added a little flair with our 2022 signage–that shimmering glitter paper was the perfect thing to highlight 2022. Numbers glinting in the light, they added just the touch of pizazz we wanted.

Making this amazing New Year’s Eve tablescape centerpiece is simple. Here’s how:

How to make the centerpiece

1. Download our centerpiece printable found here.
2. Once you’ve downloaded the printable, go ahead and print it off.
3. Now, cut out the pieces.
4. Using a hot glue gun, mount the paper pieces onto foam core (cut out the foam core with a craft knife) so they’re a little more sturdy.
5. The last step is to attach a small triangle as a support to the back of each building.

Tablecloth

We wanted our tablecloth to help you feel as if you were in the city with this New Year’s Eve tablescape, so we decided to go with a simple, black and white windowpane print (something like this should do the trick). The grid of the tablecloth paired perfectly with the striking colors and bold brushstrokes of the tablescape. We loved that this tablecloth was minimal, yet distinct, hinting at a city-like grid of streets that stretch in every direction.

Plates, Cups, Napkins, and Flatware

Our plates, cups, napkins and flatware added another bright pop of color to our New Year’s Eve tablescape. We went with a variety of colors: pink, yellow, green and salmon for the forks, vivid, royal blue for the plates, and confetti-speckled salmon napkins (you may have to go with plain salmon if you can’t find patterned ones you’re happy with–we had a hard time finding them for you). To top it off, we added silver paper cups. Can you say fun?! The reflection of all the colors in the tablescape against those shiny cups tied in the sparkling ball perfectly and made it feel like the warm celebration we were all craving.

Place Cards

Yet again, we had to repurpose our mini taxi place cards in our New Year’s Eve tablescape. You may recognize them from our Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tablescape last year, and in 2017. These cute little cars are the perfect way to really solidify the feeling that you’re in New York City for the big event. What feels more like New York than those mustard yellow taxis, honking as they whiz by? Your New Year’s Eve tablescape won’t truly be complete without them.

How to make the New Year’s ball

For the iconic Ball Drop element of our New Year’s Eve tablescape, you’ll just need a few simple things: (see our materials list above for reference) a 3 inch diameter styrofoam ball, a 1 inch diameter styrofoam ball, a metal pole (or painted wooden dowel), Mod Podge, hot glue, fake craft jewels, gold glitter, and silver glitter.

Preparing the balls

1. First, apply a coat of Mod Podge to the larger styrofoam ball. Then, roll the ball in gold glitter, coating it thoroughly. Work quickly so the Mod Podge doesn’t dry before you apply the glitter!
2. Next, do the same thing with the smaller styrofoam ball, this time using silver glitter.

Attaching the balls and pole

1. Now, take the metal pole and gently skewer the large ball through the middle so it can slide up and down.
2.  Your next step is to attach the small ball. Dab some hot glue on one side of the ball, then stick the pole into the ball on top of the hot glue, about 1/4 inch to secure.

Finishing touches

1. Lastly, add a little extra sparkle to that ball. Apply a dab of hot glue to the craft jewels and cover the larger ball in jewels.
2. Done!

How to Style Your New Year’s Eve tablescape

The great thing about this New Year’s Eve tablescape is that it can double as a New Year’s decoration for your mantlepiece, shelf, or anywhere else you want to put it, for that matter! You can even hang it, rather than setting it on a surface. I never feel like there are enough New Year’s decorations out there, so this is a spectacular one to add to your repertoire. And the nice thing is, you can always repurpose it for years to come, because it packs away pretty easily.

We would love to hear: what are you doing New Year’s Eve? And please, show us what you do with your New Year’s Eve tablescapes!

More Inspiration

If you loved learning how to make your own New Year’s Eve tablescape, you’ll most likely have fun with these other holiday-themed tablescapes. Our Christmas tablescape is a classic and is the perfect addition to your holiday table. Then there’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tablescape, which will take you back to New York in an instant. And while you’re perusing Thanksgiving ideas, don’t forget about our fun Thanksgiving Table Decor options! If you’re excited about those warmer months, check out our When Life Hands You Lemons tablescape. You’ll probably also love our Easter Egg Runner Tablescape.