Rustic New Year’s Tablescape
We’re joining forces with some of our favorite bloggers to share a Rustic New Year’s Tablescape for a virtual cocktail party today!
A big thank you to Vicki and Jenn of 2 Bees in a Pod for putting this fantastic blog hop together!
Celebrating the Season…
Every December, my family and I meet for dinner to celebrate one of my sister’s birthdays. Anytime the 12 of us are gathered around the table sharing a meal is definitely a special time.
Both of my sisters have littles and it can become a bit chaotic when they’re sprinkled in the mix and we’re all spread out banquet style.
I never understood everything my sisters had to go through just to sit down and eat until I saw them simultaneously leaning over plates of ravioli and salad catching up on “the latest” while cutting up cheese pizzas, passing salt shakers down the table to my Dad, and reaching for extra napkins.
Watching my sisters that day made me realize how much fun it would be to host a ladies’ lunch to celebrate the New Year and all the hard-working Moms we’re blessed to know.
While there are a lot of glitzy parties on New Year’s Eve, this simple lunch is really easy to put together and a great way to have all of your favorite ladies over before the night’s festivities begin.
Here’s a look at how to create a rustic New Year’s tablescape that’s quick and easy…
*This post was updated in 2021
To start, you’ll need a piece of fabric, tablecloth, or table runner (this one was thrifted, so it only cost a few dollars.)
I used mix and match dinner plates, salad plates, and textured napkins.
Honestly, if you’re trying to keep this as casual and stress-free as possible use what you have on hand.
Since the New Year marks a special event, you’ll want to incorporate that in your decorations.
I printed these clocks out to use as place cards on card stock. Then added each person’s name to the clock faces.
Gathering Natural Elements…
Next, use simple seasonal decorations like nature-inspired elements or ornaments that complement your home’s holiday theme.
Just be sure anything you’ve gathered from nature is free from dirt, debris, and pests before you place it on the table!
We gathered cedar trees, pine cones, and sticks from around our property to keep things quick and easy.
Candles are always fun to help create a special ambiance too so make sure you include them if you have them.
Setting Up a Food and Drink Station…
If you have the space for it, set up an area you can keep the food and drinks together.
This is actually an old workbench I painted and turned into an outdoor buffet.
We use it all the time!
Creating a signature cocktail or mocktail is always fun to have on hand.
Using these number tags as glass markers is festive and easy! After all, counting down to the New Year …3, 2, 1…is always so much fun!
Keeping the menu light and casual helps to cut down on any party preparation stress. A mix of nuts and dried fruit, cheese, crackers, and smoked sausage,
an easy salad like this one with kale, spinach, blueberries, and grilled chicken and a hearty soup will be pretty yet easy to throw together.
Bonus, most of this can be prepped ahead of time!
Finally, you’ll need a little something sweet after lunch consider serving a festive yule log cake, seasonal truffles, or Christmas cookies.
We almost always wind up hanging out around the fire so we keep s’mores kits at the ready too.
Keeping Guests Comfortable…
Don’t forget to make your friends comfortable by offering cozy blankets they can curl up with
and add lots of pillows around seating areas too.
Super simple, right? And meaningful as well which feels like a festive win-win!
The New Year will be here before you know it so be sure to take time to enjoy your friends and family while you can!
Up next on the blog hop…
Also be sure to check out this post, Last-Minute New Year’s Tablescape Ideas, to find out how easy it is to decorate with ornaments too!
How will you be celebrating this year? Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
New Year’s? You’re too much, I need your energy. I love cocktails and chocolate Coco! I’m on vacation, just heading over to say Merry Christmas. 🙂
ha ha oh my word, Mary Beth, I’ve already started writing in my planner! I hope you and your family have a truly blessed and magical Christmas. You’re always one of my favorites. Sending you big hugs and warmest wishes, CoCo
Cute! What a fun way to celebrate! I love all the texture you created on this table.
Great post!
Nancy
Thank you so much, Nancy! This is the first year I’ve used greenery from around the property for holiday decorating. I don’t know what took me so long now that I see everything all prettied up 🙂 Hope your day has been a fun one, CoCo
I love the idea of having a laid back lunch with friends to celebrate the New Year! Everything looks gorgeous, as always. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, CoCo!
I appreciate you sweet Amy! I think about you all the time. I hope you’re enjoying lots of snuggle time with your kids and this holiday season is magical. Love and hugs, CoCo
wow you went all out! love the grilled chicken and kale salad! Love the pine cones my favorite part! Have a great holiday and keep warm with those blankets.. enjoy
Maria
You’re giving me the giggles Maria because salad is one of my few culinary specialties ha ha! I hope you and your family have a fabulous holiday. I can’t believe it’s almost here! Hugs, CoCo
What a cozy party set up! I love the clock place cards – so creative! I so wish I could have an outdoor party this time of year! Happy holidays to you! 🙂
Thank you bunches, Lydia! There are definitely some fabulous advantages to living in Florida this time of year. Hope you and your family have a super fantastic holiday. Hugs, CoCo
This is such a beautiful set up! I would love to have an outdoor party like this!
Thank you so much, Michelle! This space definitely gets used all the time throughout the year. It feels like the biggest blessing to have it. Hope your day was a fun one, CoCo
CoCo, I LOVE the idea of hosting a casual New Year’s luncheon! How fabulous! And your outdoor table setting is divine – cozy, inviting and the perfect setting to gather with friends. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
I so appreciate your kind words, Emily, thank you. Just so you know you’re welcome out here any day of the week. Sending you big hugs and warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas. May this year be your best year yet! CoCo
I would love to be invited to this party, the drinks and finger foods (I can never have enough cheese!) look so delicious! I also love those clock place cards!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Carrie, yes, oh my stars I am crazy for cheese too! Thank you so much for your sweet words. You are welcome at my table any time 🙂 Big hugs, CoCo
Hey CoCo – This is a fabulous party idea! Your creativity knows no bounds. This inspires us to have a party for our friends too. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and cheers to a Happy New Year!
Thanks so much for pulling all of this together ladies! It’s been so much fun partying with you and I love love love those reindeer! Gah, I just can’t get enough 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
I love your idea of a girls lunch, and the clock place holders are too cute! It was fun partying with you on this!
I appreciate it, Roxanne! Any time you’re in town you know you’re always welcome here. I’ll pull out the stops for you 🙂 Merry Christmas and the happiest New Year sweet friend!
I love that workbench turned buffet, how fun is that! All of your food looks delicious – can’t go wrong with a good salad and a cheese platter! Happy New Year!
Thank you bunches, Meg! May this year be your most exciting year yet 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
I love the idea of a ladies’ lunch and your spread is absolutely beautiful!
Thank you so much, Erin! Hugs, CoCo
I love those clocks!! What a cute idea! We are freezing our butts off here so I am loving your beautiful porch all decked out for the holidays!
Oh man, I can’t even imagine what it feels like to live in cold weather. As soon as it gets below 70 I’m ready to break out the sweaters and mittens, Amanda! Sending you warm hugs from Florida. I hope you and your family have a happy holiday season, CoCo
This is just gorgeous!! I can’t believe thats an old workbench you turned into such a beautiful buffet. Now i have to find an old workbench lolol Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Keitha! The workbench was in rough shape but I was able to get it for a great price. I swear a little paint covers a multitude of sins 🙂 Hope you and your family have a happy holiday season! Hugs, CoCo
CoCo, I love the idea of a New Year Eve ladies lunch! What a fun idea and that plaid runner is fabulous. Your outside tablescape looks absolutely beautiful. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
I appreciate it, Tara, thank you so much! I hope you and your family have a Christmas to remember and your best year yet! Big hugs, CoCo
So beautiful! Love all the natural touches!
I appreciate it, Samantha, thanks so much! Hugs, CoCo
This is GORGEOUS! I’m a huge sucker for plaid, and with Robbie Burns’ Day coming up, I’ll be sharing this!
I appreciate it, Sarah, thank you! My family loved your bacon-wrapped dates #hit 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe! Hugs, CoCo
What a fun time for the girls! It does seem simple to pull together, but it is still really beautiful!